Chapter 144

The transformation in Alverton was all thanks to Felicia.
While Macey spoke, she set aside the strawberries and washed them clean before placing a few into Felicia’s hands.
As Felicia enjoyed the berries, her phone buzzed several times. Pulling it out, she saw messages from the newly created training group chat, where the lead instructor announced that all students should gather as they would be assigned to stay in the villagers’ spare rooms.
Most of the villagers were welcoming, especially since the college had donated a large number of goods. It prompted them to clean up their homes to host the students.
Even with prior preparations, many students still complained loudly, finding fault with the villagers’ homes and hesitating to go.
Some even flaunted their superiority in the group chat, asking, “Why aren’t there any hotels here? I usually stay in five-star hotels!”
It wasn’t until the vice principal chimed in that the complaints gradually ceased, “You’re here for training, not for a vacation.”
Felicia stroked her chin. In her plan, she aimed to turn Alverton into a tourist destination. Of course, there would be homestays. However, those were still under construction.
If they were ready, she could have generated some buzz for the village by taking advantage of this wave of visitors. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
Felicia messaged the vice principal who was leading the team, informing him that she had already found a place to stay and would not be joining the gathering. The instructor promptly replied, “Okay.”
After a long day of travel, she was finally ready to get a good night’s sleep.
After washing up, Felicia lay in bed and took in the warm, sun-soaked scent of the comforter. She peacefully closed her eyes.
Those distant memories of her childhood, which had started to fade, suddenly became vivid again. Perhaps it was because she had returned to a familiar place.
In her dream, scenes from her past became increasingly clear.
In the biting cold, a five-year-old Felicia was sent to the mountains to gather firewood on an empty stomach.
After she left, the sounds of meat sizzling wafted from the house. Howell and Tabitha doted on their pampered son, Shawn. “Son, eat more meat so that you can grow tall en
At that time, Felicia believed she wasn’t loved because she was a girl.
In an attempt to win her parents’ affection, she cut her hair short, trying to look like a little boy. She thought that perhaps then, he parents would feel sorry for her. But that wasn’t the case.
It was truly painful whenever the belt whipped against her skin.
Felicia scrambled away, dragging her battered little body into the bamboo grove, where kind villagers passing by took pity on her and
brought her back to their home
They’d feed her and give her old
clothes to wear.
Later, upon discovering her true origins, she thought to herself, “So, I’m not their biological child. That’s why they treat me like that.”
She wondered if someone would finally care for her if she found her real parents one day.
Felicia turned over, waking from her dream.
Staring blankly at the ceiling for a long while, she finally managed a mocking smile before pulling the comforter over her head and falling back asleep. The moonlight was gentle, serene in the silence.
…
Meanwhile, in the same darkness, a private jet slowly touched down.
On the plane, Stephan listened to his subordinate’s report and raised an eyebrow. “Hmm? You’ve found her?”
“Yes, Mr. Russell! Ms. Fuller is currently in a place called Alverton! This time, there’s no mistake!”
The subordinate was utterly confident.