Chapter 552

After being chilled in the well, the watermelon was cool and quenched their thirst. The watermelons grown here were always sweeter than usual.

As they chatted, they learned that the elder man was Pontus Nelson. Ridgehaven Town was where the fruits...

Pontus seemed to genuinely like Aubree. He cut up the watermelon, grabbed a spoon, and pushed half of it into her hands. He shared, "The watermelon here is super sweet and tasty. Eat as much as you like."

Aubree didn’t hold back. As she met Pontus’s warm, gentle gaze, she scooped up a big piece and popped it into her mouth, exclaiming, “So sweet!”

Pontus’s smile grew even warmer.

After a few bites, Aubree winked at Bowen. Catching her cue, he asked, “Mr. Nelson, you mentioned you don’t want to move because you’re worried you won’t get to see your children again, right?”

“Yeah,” Pontus sighed. “That’s part of the reason. When you get older, you just don’t want to move anymore. If I move in with my children, I can tell they don’t really want me there with them. So I’d rather just stay here. And…”

Pontus’s lips moved, but whatever he wanted to say next just trailed off.

It seemed like Pontus’s situation wasn’t the only problem here, and there were other issues hiding beneath the surface.

Aubree lowered her eyes, putting on an innocent look before asking, “But what if those developers turned this place into a farmstay resort, and preserved some of the village’s original character? If they let the elderly who really don’t want to leave stay here, keep living their lives, and even have a job, would you be okay with the renovation then, Mr. Nelson?”

“Aubree, you really are young. The people who want this land? They’re not looking to build a farmstay resort. They’re businessmen, not here to do charity,” Pontus responded.

Aubree just raised an eyebrow quizzically.

“If things were really like you said, I would be happy to agree,” he finally added.

‘If I can get some money and still stay here, why wouldn’t I want that?’ Pontus thought.

Just as Pontus was about to say something else, a commotion sounded outside. Aubree glanced over and spotted a white car coming into view. It was not some fancy ride, just an ordinary, everyday car.

Pontus noticed it too. He immediately leaned on his cane and, trembling, struggled to his feet. He stammered, “Aubree, help me check. Does the license plate say 5473?”

“Yes, it does,” Bowen said, confirming it.

Pontus grew even more excited, his hands shaking as he moved forward, but every step was firm and full of purpose. “That’s my son’s car,” he uttered.

‘Pontus’s son is back?’ Aubree thought.

This news should have made Aubree happy, but as the car came into clearer view, her unease grew.

Aubree glanced at Bowen as she thought, ‘Is this just a coincidence?’

Bowen shook his head, his slight frown showing that he was thinking the same thing as Aubree.

Today, Alvin was on his way here.

The car rolled to a stop, and the door opened. The first person to step out was from the passenger seat.

As the figure came into view, Aubree’s eyes suddenly widened in shock, ‘Is that Alvin?’ she thought.

Alvin saw them too, but he looked completely indifferent. He just gave them a quick glance, his eyes cold and distant, as if they were total strangers.

Right after, the driver’s door opened, and a plain-looking middle-aged man stepped out.

“Dad,” the middle-aged man called out.

Pontus replied, his voice full of excitement, “Hey, you’re back? Do you want some watermelon? We just cut some and it’s right out in the yard. Come on in, get inside. It’s hot out here.”

Pontus ushered everyone into the house, where the cut watermelon was already laid out on the table.

“What brings you back today? And you brought someone with you… Who’s this kid?” Pontus asked.

“Kid? This was probably the first time anyone had ever called Alvin a kid in public," Aubree thought as she shot a glance at Alvin, a faint smirk playing at her lips.