CHAPTER 494: CHAPTER 494: ROAD-BLOCKING TREE

"Oh, right, Madam, I’ve taken care of sponsoring those children. Let’s get in the car and head back!"

When they arrived, President Kane had told him to make it quick. Wasn’t he fast enough? Madam handled Tonia’s side, and he took care of four kids on this side.

Ivana Monroe was a bit surprised. She glanced at Leon Keane next to her. Was it he who asked Derrick Stern to sponsor the kids? When they brought the kids back, Leon had seemed reluctant, but unexpectedly, he’s someone who’s cold on the outside but kind on the inside.

"Alright."

Ivana said with a smile.

Under the grateful and enthusiastic gazes of several women, Ivana and Leon got in the car.

Derrick started the car and headed back the way they came.

The car stopped halfway through the trip.

Derrick turned around and said, "President Kane, there’s a fallen tree ahead blocking our way."

Leon furrowed his brows, turning his body to look forward. Through the car windshield, he saw a large pine tree, like a roadblock, in the middle of the mountain road. The car could only pass once the tree was moved.

"Go back and get some villagers to help move the tree."

"Okay."

Derrick turned the car around. On the way back, he thought of something.

"President Kane, going back and forth like this means we’ll miss our scheduled flight."

"Book the next one."

"President Kane, um... the next flight is tomorrow at noon."

As soon as Derrick said that, the pressure in the car seemed to drop.

Seeing this, Ivana smiled and said, "Well, tomorrow it is! The air in the countryside is better than in the city. Let’s just treat it as a trip to enjoy some fresh air. When the sun is about to set, we can sit on the rural ridges and watch the sunrise. Just thinking about it sounds lovely."

Lovely?

Leon did not think so. Even when watching a sunrise, he’d prefer to be on a luxury yacht or outside a luxurious room on the mountaintop, with champagne and comfortable lounge chairs.

Definitely not in this countryside that looked dirty, not to mention the ridges. Just looking at them made it hard to imagine stepping down on them, let alone sitting there? Leon’s mouth twitched slightly; this was too much.

"Honey, don’t you like it?"

Why that expression? Leon was so grounded when saving the kids!

"No, not at all. As long as it’s something you want to do, I’ll accompany you."

Leon didn’t want to dampen Ivana’s spirits. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, thinking that maybe being with this woman made things less unbearable.

"Honey, you’re so sweet."

Ivana said, her face turning a bit red.

Oh dear! What’s wrong with her these days? She’s gotten so used to saying things like that, but she can’t help it. Leon is really great.

The car re-entered the village.

A group of people was already standing outside, including the village chief.

The chief was originally scolding these villagers, questioning why such a big incident wasn’t immediately reported to him. Seeing Leon’s car return, his expression improved slightly.

"Hello, President Kane, I’m Walter Warren, the village chief here."

"You’ve mistaken me; I’m not President Kane. President Kane and the Madam are in the car."

"Huh?"

The chief looked embarrassed and glanced at the car. The people inside weren’t in a hurry to get out.

"So you’re... President Kane’s driver?"

Derrick raised an eyebrow, going along with the chief, "Yes."

"Can you invite President Kane out? I’d like to thank him in person."

"I don’t have the guts for that. President Kane hates being disturbed. If Chief Warren wants to thank him, just wait patiently for him to get out of the car."

The chief felt a bit dissatisfied with Derrick. What the heck? You’re just a driver, and when I ask you to invite President Kane out, you’re putting on airs?

The chief didn’t let his emotions show because he didn’t want to leave a bad impression on Leon.

"Chief Warren, can you help me find some strong young men? A pine tree has fallen ahead, blocking the road. Our car can’t get through."

After Derrick spoke, Walter Warren didn’t react at all, as if he hadn’t heard.

Derrick coldly laughed to himself. This Walter Warren was sure petty.

Since Walter Warren wouldn’t help, Derrick had other ways.

"Anyone here with strong young men? Three hundred bucks per person to help move a pine tree."

"I have some at my place."

"So do I."

"And at mine too."

The villagers were abuzz. Three hundred per person just to move a pine tree? That’s easy money. Anyone who doesn’t go is a fool.

Villagers clamored eagerly.

Soon, they gathered a dozen.

The villagers were worried Derrick might not need so many people, as he just said a few were enough. They crowded around Derrick, smiling, and flexed their muscles to show off.

The chief was fuming, jealousy in his eyes. Three hundred per person to move a pine tree? Even thirty would be too much.

Labor here was the least valuable.

Surrounded by young people, Derrick was a bit overwhelmed by their enthusiasm. A few guys could have moved the pine tree; a dozen was too many.

Just then,

The car door opened, and Leon and Ivana stepped out.

Leon said unhappily, "What’s the holdup? Let them all go and lift it."

With the boss speaking, Derrick didn’t hesitate anymore.

The villagers cheered, and the young men looked thrilled.

Derrick led them to move the tree. There wasn’t room in the car for everyone, so some villagers suggested,

"We don’t need to ride such a nice car; my place has an ox cart that can fit seven or eight people. If someone else brings one more, it’ll be enough."

"I’ll bring another one."

Derrick experienced an ox cart for the first time...

Walter Warren’s eyes lit up upon seeing Leon. He’d seen this influential figure from Ravenswood on TV, and it turned out to be exactly like him.

"Hello, President Kane, I’m Chief Walter Warren. It’s an honor for you to visit our village."

Walter wore a fawning smile and reached out to shake Leon’s hand.

Leon gave a slight glance without extending his hand.

Walter awkwardly retracted his hand but wasn’t angry. Leon was a person of importance. Walter only showed emotions toward ordinary people, not those of status.

What do they call this? The way of officialdom.

"My wife and I will be staying here for the night. Please make arrangements; the environment should be clean and fresh."

Leon saw through Walter Warren easily. Even in Ravenswood, there were plenty of people like him. They often wore fawning smiles, usually followed by a request. There was no need to be overly friendly with such people. By keeping a distance, it became harder for them to ask for favors.

"Sure, sure, President Kane. No problem—leave it to me."

Walter was thrilled. He was just afraid Leon would leave immediately, but now that Leon wanted to stay for a night, it was a chance to make an impression!

He had to seize this opportunity.

Walter immediately ordered people to go to his house, instructing his wife to clean up the room prepared for hosting higher-ups until it was spotless. He also called several women to his house to help prepare lamb and chicken, getting ready to entertain important guests.