Chapter 112 The Old Bachelor Behind The Door
As Chloe spoke, she lifted her fair hand and knocked on the w wooden door.
Knock knock knock. The sound echoed, but inside, everything was eerily quiet. No response.
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She stood there awkwardly, rubbing her hands together, then turned to the camera and said with a small smile. They probably didn’t hear us. Let’s try again.”
within.
She knocked once more. This time, footsteps echoed from with
Chloe’s lips curled into a charming smile as the door creaked open. A man stood in the doorway, bundled in thick pajamas, his expression tight with irritation. “What do you want?” he asked bluntly.
Chloe’s smile deepened as she got a better look at the man, who looked to be in his late forties,
“Hi, sir. We’re here filming a show. We had a car accident on the way and haven’t been able to find any food. Could you spare some for us? We’ll repay you tomorrow once we get supplies. Her voice was soft and pleasant.
The man looked her over, his gaze lingering too long on her smooth, fair skin and the bare shoulder peeking out from her V- neck. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, eyes dark with intent.
The man rubbed his hands behind his back, eyes fixed on her li
like a hawk.
“Come inside,” he said, turning around without waiting for her response.
Chloe hesitated. She wanted to ask the others to join her, but before she could speak, the man turned back and snapped. “If you want food, you come in alone. They stay out
A chill ran down her spine. She had a bad feeling.
–
But she was the one who knocked. Refusing now would only seem dramatic.
After a moment’s hesitation, she forced herself to step inside. The others were just outside, and if anything happened, they would hear her.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be quick. It’s not like we’re taking anything for free. We’ll return it tomorrow,” she reassured them before heading in
As she approached the man, she felt his eyes growing more obscene.
Before she could even say a word, the man brushed past her and slammed the door shut behind them with a loud bang.
“Why are you shutting the door?” Chloe asked in shock.
Her heart jumped as she glanced around the dim, shabby room. The furnishings were sparse and old. Clearly, the man lived. in deep poverty
At that moment, she felt a pang of regret. She wanted to bolt but his hand clamped down on her shoulder, rough fingers brushing her exposed skin.
“Wait here. I’ll get you something to eat, the man said. His hand trailed slowly down her shoulder as he moved past her and accidentally bumped into her chest.
Startled, she stepped back, swallowing hard. Her hands clenched into fists.
As the man passed by her, he cast a quick glance in her direction before strutted over to a table and grabbed two packets of instant noodles and a few overripe, blackened bananas
“Is this enough?” the man asked.
Chloe froze at the sight of the food. She stared at it in a daze, not reaching out.
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Chapter 112 The Old Bachelor Behind The Door
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to her chest.
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He swallowed agan and drawing cover so be “How long are you saying he asked. “You the only woman in your group!
“week“Chice replied insanaly
His eyes lit up at her atver. He then med and rummaged through a nearby cabinet, pulling out a few potatoes and stuffing them into a plastic bar
He also packed everything she held in in them handed it back to her
“The back hill is dangerous. If you run out of food at me find me Ill hunt something for you,” the man said casualty, draping an arm around her shoulders and gading her toward the doc
Chloe tensed and jerked slightly to avoid him but he didnt past her
- ra. His bond brushed arzinst her chest as he moved
She felt a wave of nausea. Her body trembled with rage. How could she now have seen it! This min was trying to grope her from the beginning. He was just waiting for an excuse.
“Till be going now,” she muttered, biting her lip as she grabbed the bar and bobed for the door
She rushed outside like she was being chased. Her heart pounded in fear, but shook back.
If it had been in the past, she would have certainly slapped him to dear, but now she codide
Now, she had to play the game. She needed to prove herself. After all, thanks to her they had food tought and th everyone’s opinion of her would improve, just as she had planned
As the nausea welled up in her chest. Chloe swallowed it down and hurried ourade.
“The man gave us some instant noodles, a few loaves of bread, some potatoes, and even picked some batanas from the woods. All natural” she said, holding the bag up to the camera for the livestream.
She gave a playful wink her smile light but convincing. “Looks like the villagers are prerry friendly. But this was just a temporary fx Starting tomorrow, we’ll have to rely on ourselves to find food.*
“I promised him I’d bring something back tomorrow,” she said, handing the bag to Benjamin. “We’ll give him a share of
whatever we find just to repay him for today. I don’t want to take advantage of his kindness.
Benjamin accepted the bag, though his expression soured.
These were foods he wouldn’t normally touch, but now no one dared complain.
The bananas, in particular, looked unappealing. Their peels were speckled with dark spots, indicating that they had been sitting out for quite a while
“Let me try this so–called wild banana. Chloe said, peeling one open and taking a bite.
The sweet flavor filled her mouth instantly. She nodded in surprise, her eyes lighting up. “Actually, this is pretty good. Doesat
te like the ones you get in stores
She forced a smile and followed behind Benjamin
Yet her eyes lingered on Calch. She was waiting for a chance to speak with him alone.
Chas commentary flooded the screen: dm I the only one who noticed her shoulder looks red? Did that guy touch her earlier
they close the door just to borror something? And why were they in there so long? A man and a treman alone… sounds shady
She looked disputed but kept it in Honestly, it seemed like the was forcing herself to eat, like the food might poison her
Some viewers even paused the livestream and zoomed in. Sure enough. Chloe’s bare shoulder looked flushed, the red
Chapter 112 The Old Bachelor Behind The Door
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the flood of accusations. Without the money to remove the trending hashtags, they could only watch as her name was dragged through the mud
Meanwhile, over with Team B
They had trekked to the far edge of the village and ducked into the forest. After the rain, the air was fresh and cool, birdsong and the distant rustle of animals echoing softly around them
“I’ve got a feeling we’ll find mushrooms here,” Gabrielle whispered
The rain–soaked woods were a mushroom haven, with clusters sprouting up all around.
“Gabby, do you know which ones are safe to eat?” Nadia asked curiously, bending down to follow her. “I heard some are poisonous.”
“Yeah, isn’t it the colorful ones you’re supposed to avoid Jennifer chimed in.
