Chapter 125 Encountering Danger!
When William arrived with his people to find Sophia, she was frowning as she watched the commotion at this household.
"What are you doing! Let go of my wife!"
"I've lived here most of my life and never seen any flash flood. I don't need your fake kindness. Who knows what you're planning to do after driving us away!"
"I'm not leaving either. My husband and I would rather die here than leave!"
Most of those resisting were elderly people.
They didn't believe a word Sophia and Gerald said, and even thought they had ulterior motives.
Gerald's face turned red with anger. He went up to argue with those old people in dialect, "What do we have in our village that they'd want? Those worthless scraps of junk?"
"Just go already. Besides, those outsiders have arranged food and lodging. That's pretty good."
"Even if there really isn't a flash flood, you won't lose anything."
Gerald kept trying to persuade them, but those old people just wouldn't listen.
"Who says we won't lose anything? We're so old, won't we feel sick from car sickness?"
"If you really want us to leave, it's not impossible. Give us ten thousand dollars each, and we'll go."
The old man speaking even raised his chin proudly, as if to say that if they wanted him to leave the village, they'd have to keep begging him!
Sophia was disgusted by his attitude.
"Stop trying to convince them. They're choosing not to leave themselves." She pulled Gerald back, her face cold.
She glanced at the couple and said indifferently, "Those willing to go, we'll take them out. Those unwilling to go can stay. If they really die, it has nothing to do with me or you."
Sophia turned to leave. "Let's go to the next house."
Gerald looked at the couple, shook his head, sighed, and followed to the other houses.
After that round of persuasion, the second bus was already half full.
Sophia walked to the door and saw William standing there. Her steps slowed slightly. He wore a simple black windbreaker, yet still exuded a cool and noble air that was completely out of place here.
The old woman saw they were really leaving and immediately grabbed her husband's clothes. "Rodolfo, what if they really leave?"
Rodolfo waved dismissively. "Don't worry. These rich people love to show off their charity. If something really happens to us, they'll definitely feel guilty. So just wait to get the money."
Rodolfo saw William's expensive appearance and immediately understood he was also rich. He even thought he'd asked for too little and should have demanded a hundred thousand dollars directly!
He secretly decided that when they came back, he'd raise the price.
After all, for these rich people, a hundred thousand dollars probably wasn't even real money. Then his son would have money to buy a car.
William glanced at the greed on his face and followed Sophia's group with his people to evacuate more residents.
Half an hour passed.
Of the hundred-plus people left in the village, two-thirds had been persuaded to leave.
The remaining ones had the same mentality as Rodolfo's family - either give them money, or they wouldn't leave.
Rodolfo secretly hid by the door, waiting for Sophia and the others to come back and persuade them again.
But then...
Sophia glanced at the two pairs of legs behind the door and said directly to Gerald, "Since those left don't want to go, stop trying to convince them. It's getting late, we should leave quickly too."
Thinking of the children waiting for her at home, Sophia was eager to return.
The remaining 10 households were basically the most difficult people in Hillwater Village - old, stubborn, and loved taking advantage of others. They'd even take advantage of people trying to help them.
Gerald was too embarrassed to try persuading them anymore. He packed up and got on the bus.
Part of the Johnson family's bodyguards led the way in front.
Soon the two buses full of people left one after another.
The last bus left empty.
William stayed by Sophia's side the whole time. When he didn't speak, he was very cold, and his powerful presence scared those opportunistic old people so much they didn't dare approach Sophia.
The driver stopped the car beside him.
William took the initiative to open the car door for Sophia - truly rare treatment.
But she walked straight to her own car, ignoring him, got in directly, and had the driver lock the doors.
William froze for a moment.
Black SUVs left Hillwater Village one by one.
The Rodolfo couple hiding behind their gate ran out in surprise. "How did they all leave!"
The remaining villagers also came out of their homes.
Usually, they liked following Rodolfo's lead, always managing to get some benefits from others.
Over time, they'd made Rodolfo their leader.
This time, they also listened to him and refused to leave, just to get money from these rich people.
But now not only did they fail to get money,but everyone had left directly.
"Rodolfo, what do we do? What if there really is a flash flood? I saw those news stories online before - flash floods are terrifying!"
Rodolfo snorted coldly, certain these rich people wouldn't give up the chance to do good deeds.
He said calmly to his friends, "Why panic? Who knows if it's on purpose? Maybe they'll come back to get us in a bit. Everyone, go back inside and wait for the money."
Not long after Sophia and the others left, there was a huge commotion from the river at the village entrance.
Someone heard the noise and thought Rodolfo was right - that Sophia and the others had come back for them. But as soon as they went out, they saw the roaring flash flood carrying massive rocks rushing toward the village.
"Run! There's a flood!"
But it was too late. The single-story houses couldn't withstand the flood at all. Nearby trees were uprooted and pierced through roofs. Chickens and ducks flew around in panic, squawking.
The Rodolfos had just been lying in their house when they heard the commotion outside. Before he could get up, rocks carried by the flood smashed through their windows.
Sophia's group also encountered many obstacles on the road. A huge boulder rolled down from the mountain onto the road. Although the vehicles maintained distance, the rock rolled too fast, and there was limited time to dodge.
The road was bumpy, and the driver crashed into a tree by the roadside while trying to avoid it. The front of the car was seriously damaged.
Fortunately, the rock rolled down the side of the mountain.
"Mr. Smith, there are too many rocks on this road. It's too dangerous for you to get out!"
Before Mark could finish speaking, William had already walked to Sophia's car.
Her forehead had hit the window and was slightly red.
The driver unlocked the door, wanting to let her rest in another intact car, but this made it convenient for William, who directly carried her into his car.
The buses ahead and some of the Johnson family's cars were blocked by rocks and mud on the road. Sophia had Monkey take them to the hotel to rest first.
There were also many obstacles on the road behind.
Many sections required people to get out and clear the road. Sophia didn't act precious and helped clear it together.
During this, a rock two or three times larger than a head suddenly fell. William quickly pulled Sophia into his arms. The noise from the mountain grew louder. They both spoke at once.
"Run!"
However, William's back was still hit. The black windbreaker didn't show the wound.
When the mountain stopped dropping rocks, she had people quickly clear a passable road and took the medical kit to his car.
Sophia said, "Take off your clothes."