Chapter 323: Chapter 323

On the festival grounds ...

Ava and Samantha looked on in envy as Ian carried off Shelby, each lost in their own fantasy world, but the two resumed their movements soon after. They moved with the other few women in the large wooden basin. They were there to enjoy themselves, and nothing was going to ruin that mood.

The rest of the people watching took longer to recover. This was especially true for the men, as their longing eyes remained glued to the path Ian had taken even long after he was gone.

The beautiful goddess was gone and everything else felt dull.

Ava took Samantha’s hand, and the two continued dancing and laughing. They were having so much fun with their precious laughter, which soon drew the attention of everyone around. That also became the cue for the men they were with to come to get them.

Rocky was the first to walk up to the large basin and stretched out his hand,

This made Samantha stop. She was panting slightly and looked between his uncle and aunt. Something felt off, but Samantha was not sure of what it was. Whatever the case, it was not her business.

Ava was also in an excellent mood. She trudged through the juicy and squishy grapes to the end, her smiles still in place, and reached for Rocky’s outstretched hands. She would never have done that typically, but she did not think much of the outstretched hands this time.

"Ah!" Ava squealed out in surprise as Rocky lifted her with ease, set her down right in front of him, and held her shoulders to stabilize her.

"Was it fun?" Rocky asked and brought out his handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat on Ava. Ava was too much in a good mood to brush him away. Nicholas and Matt’s mouths dropped open at the sight.

With Shelby gone from the scene, the next best sight for them was Ava, and they did not miss the slightly intimate atmosphere.

"When did they become so close?" Matt asked, and Nicholas shrugged. Whatever the case, they were happy for Rocky for being able to conquer the mountain in the form of Ava.

"Come on out," Brad called out to Samantha as all the adults had left the grape stomping. He was not comfortable with all the strange looks being cast his niece’s way. She was a minor, and after they had dealt with that twerp, Brad had developed some protective instinct.

Samantha had no wish to upset her uncle and allowed herself to be carried out.

"Thanks, Uncle Brad."

Brad casually nodded and waited patiently as Samatha quickly went to wash off the grape residue from her legs.

Ava stepped back from Rocky and cleared her throat.

"Thanks, Rocky." She also sidestepped him hurriedly to clean off the same.

"Sister Ava, that was so fun! I so want to do it again! Also, did you see how Dad carried Mum out?! It was-"

Samantha’s eyes shone like marvels as she made animated gestures at the memory.

"I must write everything out! This is so much like an out-of-the-world romance novel! And it involves my mum and dad! I-"

Ava sighed. Samantha’s gestures and wild talk had succeeded in getting her mind off Rocky. Ava wanted to keep him at arm’s length, but it was becoming increasingly difficult with each passing day and with each new action he took. Rocky was relentless in his pursuit, and Ava was even surprised.

Suddenly, someone made an exclamation from their backs.

"It’s really you!" The two turned at the new voice.

"Natasha?" Samantha whispered under her breath. Ava picked up on the slight dissatisfaction.

"Is she someone you know?" Ava asked and took a step forward, which slightly shielded Samantha.

"She is that girl!" Samantha said in a small voice, and that was enough for Ava to understand. Back at the lobby, when Raye had made his presence known, Samantha had given a little background info, so Ava quickly understood that this Natasha person was the other girl in the relation that had been quashed on that day.

Natasha, on the other hand, did not see or care about the unwelcome expression being shown to her.

"We’ve missed you at school! What happened to you? Anyway, never mind, is that your uncle at the back?"

Natasha continued as if Ava was an invincible person.

Ava pursed her lips, understanding dawning on her. She grabbed Samantha’s hand and said, "Let’s go!"

The two did not spare Natasha another glance and walked back to the group of four men they had left behind.

"You should stay away from such people. I am sure you do not need your parents to tell you this."

Samantha nodded heavily. At the same time, she was glad that Ava had pulled her out of there. Like Ava, she had made the same deductions. Since Raye’s family was no longer there, Natasha was looking for his next prey, and it was funny that she had set her sights on her uncle. It was ridiculous that that stupid and promiscuous Natasha had set her sights on a mountain.

’That will never happen on my watch!’ Samantha thought.

Natasha stomped her feet in anger at being ignored. However, she bit her lips and reigned in her emotions. She knew Samantha’s importance then and knew that she had to do anything and everything to ensure that Samantha bent to her will.

’I missed today, but it will never happen again!’ Natasha assured herself.

The two rejoined the men.

"Do not fall for little girls, okay?"

The whole group went quiet, and Brad fell into a fit of coughs.

"What’s going on that little mind of yours, first Brat?" Brad flicked Samantha’s forehead.

"Ouch! I am only looking out for you!"

"I like our new niece!" Nicholas chipped in.

"Oh really?" Brad raised an eyebrow and added, "Enlighten me."

Samantha walked closer to him and gestured with her head, "You see that girl at the back, who is batting her eyes like she needs eye surgery? I think she had her sights set on you!"

Brad looked in the direction, "That’s just a baby!"

"I am happy that you think like that!" Samantha smiled brightly, making the rest of the group laugh. Brad massaged the pressure points on his head. This Samantha was something else now that her mood had been sorted out, and she was relating well to everyone. Brad did not even bother with a second glance at the baby, who really looked like she had an eye problem with the way she was trying to catch his attention.

’Sigh! I am so attractive that even little girls think they have a chance! This is too bothersome, but maturity is best in all.’ Brad’s eyes settled on Ava briefly before he dismissed the thought. Only a fool would not notice the chemistry between her and Rocky.

’I want my own special princess. One that I will treat with care. If I cannot find one, I’ll live my life alone!’ Brad vowed to himself.

Ava, oblivious to this, took a casual step to the side, making sure that no one was paying attention to her; she whispered,

She frowned after getting no response,

’How is this supposed to work?’

Ava sighed, "What was I expecting?"

She had in mind to try to get Murray so that she could leave Samantha in his care, but she did not have his contact info and did not want to call Shelby. With the way Ian had carried Shelby away, Ava could guess what they were doing. Ava did not have the ability to speak remotely through her mind, or else she would have known that Murray had heard of her call but had not been able to come to her.

Murray and Currey walked around in circles not far from where Ava was. They were in the dense forests. They had tried teleporting but could only get as far as the edge of the woods. They had been able to exit with no problem, but no matter what the two did, they could not get back into the festival grounds.

"What’s going on, brother? This is not the only strange happening this night."

Currey nodded and then bent down to inspect a substance on the floor. He was very concentrated, knowing that a threat seemed imminent, but they still had no idea what that was or how they could circumvent it.

Murray looked straight at the festival grounds, which was a little far from them, and wondered why Ava was calling out to him. He relaxed slightly, sensing that there was no panic in her voice but only curiosity.

"Ava?" Rocky called out to her, making her jump in fright.

"Why are you so jumpy, and who were you talking to?"

"I- No one! Let’s go back!"

Ava started back, not wanting to be in the same secluded place with Rocky. Ava did not trust herself around him.

Arriving by Brad, Ava requested, "Brad, could you take Samantha back when you’re leaving?"

"You want me to babysit?"

Brad sighed and massaged his temples again.

"You know what, let’s go!"

Ava smiled and whispered, "Thanks."

"Come on, first Brat!"

Brad nodded at Rocky and the other two, then led the reluctant Samantha out. Samantha had just had one of the happiest days in her life since her adoptive parents had passed away.

After saying goodbye to her new uncles and Ava, Samantha skipped and followed Brad out of the grounds. Samantha especially liked Rocky’s friends, but she knew that she would see all of them often because they were Rocky’s friends.

Ava sighed. The people she had come with had all left, but she still wanted to walk around a little. The days preceding the festival had been spent prepping her stand and products, so she just wanted a relaxing evening.

"You boys, enjoy yourself; I’ll go around alone."

"Ava! You ungrateful girl! You really came here with him? When I heard of the possibility, I did not believe it, but it turned out to be true!"

A dread settled on Ava which turned to fury. Her skin prickled.

’Why is my ’good day’ going to end on a bad note?’ She quickly suppressed such emotions, but one fact remained: Ava was upset even before turning to the person who had spoken. Ava couldn’t help but whip her head around at the voice—the one person she did not want to see: "Josh!"

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