Chapter 210

Vincent Cruz's eyes lit up, his earlier restraint vanishing. "The villagers grew these vegetables themselves—no pesticides. If you'd like some, Miss Sullivan, I can pick some for you before you leave."

"Thank you in advance."

"Take your time eating. Just leave the dishes—I'll clean up later." Vincent rubbed his hands together. "I'll take you around the village this afternoon."

Evelyn Sullivan nodded.

Bianca Rose and Quincy Howard were already starving. The three ate quietly. Bianca took a bite of the simple-looking greens and was surprised by how delicious they were.

After the meal, Vincent arrived as promised.

Shili Village nestled between mountains and rivers, its cobblestone paths winding through the landscape. "Most young people have left for work in the cities," Vincent explained as they walked. "Only the elderly and children remain."

At a fork in the road, a little girl with pigtails suddenly darted out.

"Whoa!"

The girl's rough ceramic bowl nearly slipped from her hands, but Evelyn reacted instantly—steadying the child with one hand and catching the bowl with the other.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

The girl stared wide-eyed at the beautiful stranger, forgetting to take the bowl back.

"Autumn!" Vincent frowned. "What's the rush?"

"I'm bringing dinner to Daniel!" The girl finally snapped out of her daze, hugging the bowl like treasure. "He came back today!"

Vincent chuckled. "He's probably already eaten by now."

"I'm still bringing it!" Autumn stuck out her tongue and skipped away.

Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.

"That child mentioned... Daniel?"

"The actor Daniel Sterling!" Vincent beamed with pride. "He just won Best Actor recently!"

Evelyn paused mid-step.

"His surname is Sterling?"

"Yes! Are you a fan, Miss Sullivan?" Vincent's eyes sparkled. "Should I take you to the Sterling house? You'll run into him eventually anyway."

The sound of reading aloud drifted from the Sterling family courtyard.

Vincent had barely knocked when the wooden door creaked open.

"Uncle Cruz..." Daniel's smile froze the moment he saw Evelyn. "Evelyn?"

Sunlight filtered through the grapevines, casting golden flecks in her hair.

"Here to meet fabric suppliers," she said with a faint smile. "I didn't know this was your hometown."

Daniel's throat moved slightly. He'd retreated here to escape the chaos of the capital—only to run into the one person he most wanted to see.

"Would you like to come in?"

"No, I won't disturb your rest."

They stood on either side of the threshold, silence speaking volumes.

As they left, Vincent rubbed his hands again. "Miss Sullivan, I'll pick you up at eight tomorrow morning to visit the factory."

The setting sun stretched their three shadows long across the ground.