Free Web NovelChapter 98: Chapter 98 Granting supplies.
Ivy’s calm voice suddenly broke through the joyful atmosphere.
She had just finished placing little Hope carefully inside the cot within the shelter before returning outside to meet the children again.
The moment Pearl heard those words, the bright smile on her face disappeared instantly.
The adorable dimples that had constantly appeared on her cheeks throughout the day slowly faded away while sadness clouded her expression.
Her small shoulders drooped immediately.
"Can’t I just stay here overnight?" Pearl asked softly while looking up at Ivy with pleading eyes. "You can tell my parents. They trust you now."
Her voice carried obvious reluctance.
Truthfully, she didn’t want to leave.
"Yes, Mommy," Lila added quietly while holding onto Pearl’s hand tightly. "Please don’t let her go yet."
Even Aria looked upset.
The older girl crossed her arms while pouting lightly.
"We can all sleep together," she suggested hopefully. "Please?"
Ivy couldn’t help smiling softly at the sight of the children already becoming attached to one another in just a single day.
Still, she gently shook her head.
"No, Pearl," Ivy replied patiently. "You have to go home tonight."
Then she sighed lightly.
"To be honest, I already made a mistake myself. I shouldn’t have allowed you to stay this late."
Pearl lowered her gaze sadly.
"But remember," Ivy continued gently, "you’re also supposed to bring supplies back home for your parents. They’ll need those things to prepare dinner tonight."
She crouched slightly to Pearl’s level before smiling warmly.
"You can come again tomorrow."
Pearl still looked disappointed, but she reluctantly nodded.
Ivy then turned her attention toward Aria and Lila. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com
"You girls should head inside now and start preparing for bed," she instructed softly.
The two sisters immediately lowered their heads sadly.
Neither of them wanted Pearl to leave.
Still, they listened obediently to their mother.
"Goodnight, Pearl..." Aria muttered sadly before slowly walking toward the shelter with Lila beside her.
"Goodnight..." Lila whispered softly while waving her little hand.
Pearl waved back weakly.
The moment the girls disappeared inside the shelter, Ivy turned her attention back toward Pearl.
"Alright," she said gently. "Get in. All the supplies for your parents are already loaded at the back of the armoured vehicle."
Pearl nodded quietly before climbing into the armored vehicle with visible sadness still written across her face.
A few moments later, Ivy entered the driver’s seat.
Soon, the armored vehicle slowly drove out of the compound while the system automatically activated the protective shield around the base once more, safely securing Aria, Lila, Hope, and Sunny inside.
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After driving for quite some time through the dark mountain road, Ivy eventually parked the armored vehicle near the base of the mountain.
The path upward was too narrow for the vehicle to continue.
Without wasting time, Ivy brought out two heavy sacks filled with supplies and placed them carefully onto a wheelbarrow.
Pearl quietly helped beside her.
Together, the two began climbing the mountain path under the dim moonlight.
The cool night breeze swept across the area while the wheelbarrow creaked softly against the rocky ground.
Eventually, they arrived in front of Villa Nine where Mr. and Mrs. Smith were already standing anxiously outside waiting for them.
The moment Pearl came into view, relief instantly flooded their faces.
"Oh my goodness!" Mr. Smith exclaimed emotionally before rushing forward. "I thought something happened to both of you. I was already preparing to head down the mountain myself to look for you."
Pearl immediately ran straight into her father’s arms.
"I’m sorry, Dad," she mumbled softly while hugging him tightly.
Mr. Smith sighed heavily in relief while patting her hair repeatedly.
"It’s alright... it’s alright..."
"I’m really sorry about the delay," Ivy apologized sincerely with a small smile. "The children were playing together so much that even I lost track of time."
She then gestured toward the wheelbarrow.
"But we’re here now... along with the supplies I promised."
As she spoke, Ivy carefully lowered the two heavy sacks from the wheelbarrow onto the ground.
"Oh my..." Mrs. Smith gasped softly before quickly stepping closer.
"Thank you so much," she said gratefully while smiling warmly at Ivy. "And don’t worry, we’re not upset at all. We already knew Pearl would be safe with you."
Then she glanced toward her husband teasingly.
"Don’t mind him. He was simply overthinking too much."
Mr. Smith coughed awkwardly.
Mrs. Smith knelt slightly before opening one of the sacks.
The moment she saw the contents inside, her eyes widened in complete disbelief.
Rice.
Milk.
Eggs.
Even fresh pork.
For a moment, both husband and wife became speechless. freewebnovёl.ƈom
These were supplies most survivors could only dream of obtaining in the apocalypse.
Mrs. Smith slowly covered her mouth emotionally.
"You even gave us meat..." she whispered in shock.
Pearl’s eyes widened too.
Back at Ivy’s base, she had been too distracted by everything around her to fully think about the supplies they were receiving.
But now that she was seeing it clearly...
Her family had enough food to survive comfortably for quite some time.
Mr. Smith looked toward Ivy with deep gratitude visible in his eyes.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
"Alright, I have to leave now," Ivy said after a few more moments of conversation.
"Oh, thank you so much once again," Mr. Smith replied gratefully. "We’ll bring the vegetables I promised tomorrow. I’ll arrange everything tonight and deliver them first thing in the morning."
"Alright then," Ivy replied with a small smile. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
With that, Ivy slowly turned around and began walking away under the dim moonlight while the Smith family carried the sacks of supplies into their villa excitedly.
Even after entering their home, Pearl still kept glancing back toward Ivy’s retreating figure.
