Chapter 224: Joy and Trouble

George sat obediently to the side, his eyes locked on the rack of lamb, filled with focus and anticipation. He looked more serious than ever.

His tail wagged non-stop, and he occasionally made little noises.

Clearly, he was completely captivated by the aroma of the lamb, lost in the joy of the impending feast.

Amanda noticed George's eager expression and couldn't help but reach out to pat his head, laughing, "George, are you that hungry? We'll let you eat your fill soon."

George understood her words, nuzzling Amanda's hand before turning his gaze back to the grill, continuing to stare at the lamb, making everyone laugh.

Mary came over too, gently tugging on George's ear, teasing, "You little guy, all you think about is food."

"But with how good this lamb smells today, you should eat a lot and grow big and strong. We'll need you to protect us in the future."

George barked twice in response to Mary, making everyone laugh again. This little guy was just too adorable.

Finally, the lamb chops and legs were ready, much to everyone's eager anticipation.

Thomas stood up, a proud smile on his face. He carefully took the golden, crispy lamb chops and the juicy lamb legs off the grill.

He placed them on clean leaves that had been prepared earlier. Then, he picked up a sharp knife and evenly divided the lamb chops and legs into portions.

Handing them out to Amanda, Mary, and George, he said, "These are for you. Enjoy."

Everyone eagerly grabbed their portions and started eating heartily.

Amanda took a gentle bite of the lamb chop, and the crispy exterior and tender interior burst with flavor in her mouth.

The lamb's skin was golden and crispy, making a satisfying crunch when bitten into, while the meat inside was tender and juicy, full of rich flavor.

Each bite was perfectly cooked, with the succulent juices mixing with Thomas's carefully crafted seasoning, creating an exquisite taste.

As she ate, Amanda couldn't help but praise, "This is amazing! Thomas, your cooking is incredible!"

Her face was filled with satisfaction, her eyes slightly squinted in delight from the delicious food.

Amanda had tasted all kinds of gourmet food, but the best was always what Thomas made, filled with his love.

Thinking of this, she glanced at the busy Thomas, a smile forming on her lips. Thomas was just so perfect, so charming.

Mary was no less enthusiastic, holding the lamb leg with both hands, tearing into it with gusto, her mouth covered in grease.

She nodded repeatedly, speaking with her mouth full, "This is really good. The texture, the flavor, it's just perfect."

Her words were filled with happiness and satisfaction. At that moment, she was completely immersed in the enjoyment of the delicious food, temporarily forgetting all her fatigue and worries.

George was also eating with great relish, tearing into the lamb chop voraciously. Soon, his mouth was covered in grease, looking quite comical, considering he was a monkey.

He ate with focus and enthusiasm, occasionally making satisfied noises, expressing his love for the meal.

His tail wagged even more joyfully, his whole body radiating happiness. In his world, this delicious lamb chop was everything at that moment.Since joining Thomas and the others, George's life had been getting better every day. It was the best decision he had ever made. That day, Thomas and the crew had a blast.

Time flew by, and ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Every day was filled with joy.

One sunny morning, Sita was patrolling outside as usual, keeping an eye on the camp's peace.

Suddenly, she ran in with a worried expression, urgently saying, "Thomas, I spotted people from the Deer Tribe. Several of them are heading our way!"

Thomas's lips curled into a confident smile.

A hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes. "Mary, finally, we have someone to test our skills on. I've been looking for an opportunity to see how strong we've become."

Mary's eyes lit up with excitement. "Great, let's show them what we've got!"

She had done many experiments before, but her opponents were always small animals, nothing particularly challenging. She felt her skills were being wasted.

Amanda, listening nearby, felt a mix of worry and curiosity. Not wanting to miss the action, she said, "I want to see too."

Thomas and Mary exchanged glances and nodded. They then led Amanda and Sita out of the camp to see what was happening.

After walking about two miles, they saw ten figures in the distance, gradually becoming clearer.

Leading the group was a tall, thin native man named Gavin Wilson.

He was tall but slightly gaunt, with dark, shiny skin like aged bronze. His deep-set eyes glinted with ferocity.

His high-bridged nose sat above tightly pressed thin lips, filled with endless hatred.

He wore a simple animal skin top and a rough burlap skirt.

A grass rope was tied around his waist, holding a sharp dagger, and he gripped a gleaming axe in his hand.

Beside him stood four equally lean but muscular men, dressed similarly to Gavin, holding long spears.

The spear shafts were made of sturdy wood, with sharp stones embedded at the tips, glinting dangerously in the sunlight.

The other five were women with healthy, sun-kissed skin, their hair braided into many small plaits adorned with colorful cloth strips.

They wore simple tops and skirts woven from leaves and vines, their bodies agile.

Each held a bow, the bows curved and elastic, the strings taut, and their quivers filled with sharp arrows. Their eyes were alert and determined.

Mary's eyes showed a hint of caution and confusion. She turned to Sita and softly asked, "Sita, who are these people? Do you know them?"

Sita's gaze was fixed on the approaching figures, her expression serious. "They're from Neil's camp. They're all together."

"Judging by their formation, they're here for revenge for what happened before."

Thomas and Mary exchanged a glance, their eyes showing no fear, only confidence and fearlessness.

In the past, they wouldn't have been able to confront these people head-on, but now they had nothing to worry about.

At that moment, they keenly sensed a slight movement behind them.

It turned out the ten people had silently surrounded them, forming a tight circle, cutting off all escape routes.

Gavin's eyes burned with hatred as he saw Thomas and the others, his gaze like flames.

He threw his head back, veins bulging in his neck, and shouted, "You killed our leader, Neil? I'm here to avenge him!"

His voice echoed through the open forest, making the air around them tense.