Chapter 272


    As Rosie stepped into the water, she gasped, gripping the wooden edge of the hot tub. "Jasper, I''m


    floating."


    "Don''t be scared, Rosie. It''s normal to float in hot springs."


    Once she adjusted to the sensation, Rosie brightened. So, this was what it felt like to be in a hot


    spring.


    They were sunbathing and soaking in the hot spring, each of them sipping fresh lemonade; it was


    hard to describe the sense of contentment.


    The vegetation around theke, nourished by the spring water, was lush and vibrant, noticeably


    more so than elsewhere. The three of them started to explore around theke and, sure enough,


    they discovered numerous herbs, all of them flourishing.


    That night, they pitched their tents not far from theke. After soaking in the hot spring, Rosie,


    completely rxed, fell asleep quickly.


    The warm spring water was beneficial to their health, and Ste took advantage of the night to


    gather some. They emptied the water tower in Arcadia, recing the water with the hot spring


    water. Now, they could enjoy a hot spring soak whenever they returned home.


    They had plenty of water towers and various containers, enough tost them for several years.


    After soaking in the hot spring, they slept extremely well. Ste guessed that if it hadn''t been for


    Cooper keeping watch, they might have been carried away without even realizing it.


    They spent three more days exploring the deep forest, collecting every potential medicinal nt


    they found.


    With the climate bing increasingly harsh, many young nts were barely clinging to life. Even


    in Arcadia''s favorable environment, not all could be saved. If these species died out, it could be a


    case of extinction.


    Upon returning to the city, Ste made a special trip to Griffith''s post at the Institute of Traditional


    Medicine. Collin wasn''t there, but there were staff members on duty.


    They examined the young nts Ste had brought and rmended some nutrient solution and


    growth hormones. "We often encounter this situation. You can try these. They can increase the


    survival rate of the young nts."


    The solution was developed by the Institute, and it had already been used in their greenhouse. It


    wasn''t free, but they could barter food or young nts for it. The Institute had a government


    subsidy. They might not be rich, but they definitely wouldn''t starve. The young nts were what


    they needed most.


    Ste took out extra herbs from her backpack. "I''ll exchange these for the solution."


    The staff members were pleased. They chose either nts the Institute didn''t have or those with a


    broad range of medicinal uses. In the end, Ste swapped 30 nts for a bottle of nutrient solution


    and growth hormones. Both parties were satisfied.


    Carrying the solution, they drove back to their home.


    After being away for several days, Ste wondered how their house had fared. As they drove into


    the residential area, they noticed a man lurking near the entrance of their property. Jasper floored


    the elerator.


    The sound of the car startled the man, who bolted, quickly disappearing around a corner.


    As Ste got out of the car, a foul smell hit her. It wasing from their front door, which was


    covered in disgusting, smelly waste – a direct assault on their senses.


    Cooper sprang out of the car and chased after the man. Worried about his safety, they hopped back


    into the car to follow.


    They rounded the corner to see their dog pouncing on the man who had hidden in the corner of


    another vi.


    Screams filled the air as man and dog fought. Ste, like a released arrow, rushed out of the car,


    landing a few punches on the man.


    With the ferocious dog attacking him, the man had no way of defending himself. He was bleeding


    from several bite wounds, and Ste''s punches had knocked out a few of his teeth.


    Remembering the waste that had been thrown on their door, she didn''t bother with questions. She


    just hit him.


    The man''s screams echoed around them, making Jasper feel slightly awkward.


    The security patrol, hearing themotion, rushed over. "What''s going on here?"


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Ste finally stopped, but the dog didn’t. He had his teeth mped around the man''s throat. One


    command from his master and he could end this man''s life, having a taste of his warm, freshly killed


    leg.


    The man, his windpipe crushed, wet himself in fear.


    Ste ignored the security team, her cold eyes fixed on the man lying on the ground. "You have one


    chance to save your life. Choose wisely."


    The man was trembling with fear. "Please... please spare me."


    "Who told you to do this?" Ste asked.


    No sooner had she finished speaking than the dog''s bite tightened, sending the man into a panic. "It


    was Miss Julia! She''s still holding a grudge against you for hitting her and for shamelessly flirting


    with Bran. She was so angry and wanted to teach you a lesson."


    Ste remembered Julia. She didn''t associate with the wealthy, but because Austin was around,


    she knew some of their gossip.


    The Riley family had thrown a pool party for their daughter Julia to help her find a rich husband, and


    that man was Bran.


    Women''s jealousy and resentment were so strange. Instead of learning a lesson from thest


    beating, Julia resented Ste even more for Bran sending things, thinking that Ste was the one


    who had stolen her beloved man.


    "Were you hired by her?"


    On the brink of death, the man didn''t dare to lie. "I work for her family. Miss Julia promised me 10


    pounds of rice, but she''s the people in charge. I didn''t dare disobey her. Please, I don''t want the rice


    anymore."


    Samuel happened to be on the patrol team. "I''ve seen him. He really is a servant of the Riley


    family."


    Knowing the whole story, the patrol team felt awkward. What should they do now?


    Jasper spoke to the security team. "You go on with your patrol. We''ll handle this peacefully."


    The security team leader snapped back to reality. Yes, patrol. The safety of the residential area was


    the most important thing. Still, he advised, "Let''s all be peaceful. We''re all residents here. If there''s a


    problem, why not sit down and discuss it?"


    Jasper smiled. "Sure."


    As soon as the patrol team left, Ste dragged the man toward unit 39.


    The front yard of unit 39 was a garden with a white picket fence, newly nted flowers, and a pink


    swing.


    Ste kicked the door once, twice.


    A maid quickly came to open the door, but was shocked to see Ste. "What are you..."


    Ste shoved the maid aside and dragged the man into the yard.


    A woman in her early forties, draped in a white shawl and dressed in a cocktail dress, emerged,


    "Who''s there?"


    She was remarkably well-preserved, still possessing an alluring charm despite her age. Yet, when


    their eyes met, both of them froze.


    It was less that Ste resembled Julia in features, and more that she was a mirror image of Tracy.


    Ste''s mind buzzed, feeling as if a dagger had pierced her heart. Likewise, Tracy''s pupils dted in


    shock, "You...."