The Unwilling CEO's Love Game novel 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 turned 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," Uriah 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?

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

Jocelyn felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.