The Unwilling CEO’s Love Game

Chapter 138

There was a girl who couldn’t take her eyes off something just over Jocelyn’s shoulder. When their gazes met, the girl pointed behind Jocelyn.

Puzzled, Jocelyn tumed around, only to see nothing there.

As school was about to let out, Uriah came to find them. His face was beaming with a joy he couldn’t hide. “Jocelyn, Ursula, the village’s throwing a potluck tonight. You should both come.”

“You look like you’ve struck a deal, Jocelyn surmised that nothing made Uriah happier than someone willing to invest in their village.

Uriah nodded with a smile. “Indeed, we have.”

“Congratulations!” Jocelyn said cheerily. The village’s going to keep getting better.”

“Absolutely,” Unah agreed with conviction. “It will.”

After he left, Jocelyn and Ursula packed up their things. Ursula mused, “Wonder who’s got such a kind heart.”

“Whoever it is, if they can improve the situation here, that’s all that matters. But you know, the beginning is always the hardest part. I just hope they’re serious and not just putting on a show, getting everyone’s hopes up only to let them down.”

“We’ll see tonight,” Ursula joked about sizing up the mysterious benefactor.

Jocelyn laughed. “To get rich, build roads first. If they can manage that, it’ll be a great start.”

Ursula sighed, “True. The road outside is practically impassable when it rains, and that old stone bridge at the entrance to village looks like it’s seen better days. I fear it might not last much longer

“And seriously, surrounded by these hills, I’ve been wondering what could actually boost the economy here,” Ursula added, knowing that a real physical economy was crucial for a village so behind the times

Jocelyn understood her concerns. “If we get the chance tonight, we’ll ask around. A person willing to come here and put money into road building certainly has some plans for development”

“Right”

They finished packing and returned to their temporary home, where the smoke from the village hall’s preparations wafted invitingly through the air. The weather was nice with the sun shining and not as cold as the days before.

With the holiday season just around the corner, the village was livelier than usual. Children paraded around in new clothes sent from parents far away, their faces glowing with satisfaction

Jocelyn, wrapped in a cozy down jacket and wearing handmade warm wool slippers, took Ursula’s hand and headed to the village hall together

From a distance, Jocelyn could see a green SUV parked outside the village entrance, its tires caked with mud a testament to the difficulty of the journey it had undertaken. This must be the vehicle of their generous visitor.

At Uriah’s house, everyone was contributing to the feast, bringing out the best food they could offer, determined not to disappoint their guest.

Despite being poor, the village folk wouldn’t let anyone eat poorly.

Jocelyn sat on small stools and joined the ladies in picking vegetables while Ursula helped stoke the fire.

Everyone was busy, aware that the guest they were hosting might change the fortunes of their village.

Tables were set up in the courtyard, covered with plastic to keep the wind at bay

The food was ready, and now they just awaited the arrival of their benefactor.

Uriah’s wife went to fetch the guest. Before long she entered the courtyard followed by her husband and a tall man in a black overcoat and crisp suit pants His presence was like a colorful bead dropped among plain ones, distinctly striking.

Jocelyn couldn’t believe her eyes as the man walked in, and Ursula nearly squealed in surprise. She kept glancing at Jocelyn, tugging at her sleeve, “Why is he here?”

Jocelyn wanted to know just as much.

Why?

Urich seated Melvin at the head of the table, then quickly called Jocelyn and Ursula over. In their eyes, Jocelyn and Ursuta were also honourable guests to their village.

Jocmyn felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.

stunned by the turn of events, Ursula whispered encouragingly, “Don’t freak out.”

wasn’t scared. She was just shocked.

She took her seat at the far end of the bench with Ursula beside her.

Uriah, the village secretary, and other officials all sat with Melvin, Jocelyn and Ursula, while the rest of the villages wisely chose other

tables to dine at.

Uriah started the evening with a toast of tea instead of wine, welcoming Melvin and thanking Jocelyn and Ursula for their contributions to the village’s children.

The atmosphere lightened as the shy kids began to play and laugh together, filling the space with a comforting harmony.

The village hadn’t buzzed with such life in a long time.

Jocelyn ate quietly, listening as they discussed the village’s situation and Melvin’s plans for sponsorship.

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Melvin agreed that fixing the roads was a priority. With good transportation conditions, everything else would follow.

Uriah nodded fervently, as road repairs were costly to be a top priority.

Melvin, brimming with chansma and seriousness, was now irresistibly captivating in people’s eyes Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

As they discussed potential projects, Jocelyn and Ursula ate their meal in silence

Throughout the dinner, Melvin didn’t say a word to Jocelyn, not even a casual greeting.

After over two hours with darkness settling in, the meal finally ended.

Jocelyn and Ursula wanted to help clean up, but the village’s women insisted they rest and leave the cleanup to themselves.

Reluctantly, Jocelyn and Ursula departed.

When they left. Melvin was nowhere in sight Probably he had been back at the village hall with the local officials for further discussions

“Why’s he here? Ursula was still trying to wrap her head around it.

Jocelyn didn’t have a clue either.

There were so many rural areas around. What were the odds he’d end up here?

“Do you think he followed your steps? Ursula ventured a guess.

Without a second thought, Jocelyn shook her head, “No way.”

Never mind the state of their relationship, the only people who knew she was coming here were her parents. She hadn’t even told Harrison.

Maybe it really was just a coincidence?

For all they knew, Melvin might have just wanted to do some charity work, so as to give back to the community?

“Hey look, that’s him.” Ursula stopped in her tracks, nodding toward the figure ahead.

There, on the narrow path they had to take to get back home, stood Melvin. Tall and lean, his presence was somehow accentuated by the stark daylight that lent him an air of detachment.

Jocelyn took a deep breath and tightened her grip on Ursula’s hand, “It’s okay.”

“He’s obviously here for you, Ursula commented, “Aren’t you going to talk to him?

“What’s there to talk about?” Jocelyn genuinely didn’t think there was anything left to talk with him.

Ursula didn’t push it further. Arm in arm, they started walking towards Melvin

They would have to pass right by him since the path was too narrow for anything else.