Chapter 171

I really couldn't argue with her, so I had no choice but to follow along.

During the journey, she was incredibly excited.

She introduced herself, "Hey, I'm Amy Wright, but just call me Amy."

I nodded to show I understood.

"So, what's your name?" Amy asked.

"Kevin," I replied simply.

Amy nodded and said, "Cool name."

"Look over there, it's so beautiful!" Amy exclaimed and ran ahead excitedly.

Following her direction, I saw what she was talking about. It was a field of dandelions, their seeds dancing in the air, creating a stunning scene.

Amy had already reached the dandelions, crouching down and blowing on the ones that hadn't yet dispersed.

Watching her, I couldn't help but think, "She's still just a kid at heart."

Despite her appearance, which was quite tomboyish, and her bold personality, she showed me a glimpse of a girl's innocence and charm.

"It's beautiful," I agreed.

But we didn't stay long and continued on our way.

Amy said, "We still have a long way to go."

The path was indeed winding. We twisted and turned from the mountaintop, and even with my good sense of direction, I started to feel a bit dizzy.

"Are we there yet?" I couldn't help but ask, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

Amy hummed a tune I didn't recognize and replied, "Almost there, almost there."

She seemed completely at ease, occasionally greeting others or admiring flowers in front of houses.

Compared to her, I felt quite out of shape, making me wonder if my stamina had really declined to the point where I couldn't keep up with a girl.

After about half an hour, when I was starting to feel exhausted, Amy finally stopped and pointed to a house down the slope.

"There it is. You go on your own," she said.

"Aren't you coming?" I asked, puzzled.

"Nope," Amy replied bluntly and turned to leave without further explanation.

I was left confused, realizing that Dorothy and Amy had different last names. Usually, people in the same family share a surname to show unity, but they didn't.

But I didn't dwell on it. My main task was to find Dorothy.

Standing outside the house, I saw three wooden cabins. The middle one was the largest and most impressive, with two smaller ones on either side.

After a moment's hesitation, I decided to take the direct approach. I cupped my hands around my mouth and shouted, "Dorothy!"

Hearing her name, Dorothy peeked out.

"Kevin!"

Seeing it was me, Dorothy's face lit up with joy. She ran over and hugged me tightly.

I was a bit taken aback by the sudden hug but quickly relaxed.

She circled around me, checking for any new injuries besides the ones she had caused, and finally said, "I thought you might have died in the back hills."

I couldn't help but feel a bit exasperated, imagining crows flying over my head. "How could I just die like that?" I said helplessly.

Dorothy stuck out her tongue playfully and laughed, "Just a guess."

Seeing me safe and sound, she finally relaxed.

"Wow, you even managed to deal with The Chief Elder," Dorothy said, playfully punching my shoulder.

"The Chief Elder?" I pretended to be confused.

Dorothy had brought me here while I was unconscious, so if I admitted to knowing, it would reveal that I had been faking it.

Dorothy gave me a brief explanation.

I covered the spot she had punched, looking pitiful. "You just abandoned me, leaving me alone in the back hills. If I hadn't been clever, I might not have made it."

"I didn't expect The Chief Elder to show up," Dorothy said, realizing she had slipped up and quickly explained, looking apologetic.

"Alright, alright," I said, ready to ask her about the dagger.

Just then, a woman emerged from the cabin. She looked over, her expression not very friendly.

"Dorothy, what are you doing?" she called out coldly.

I guessed who she was and stepped forward, introducing myself, "Hi, I'm Kevin, the father of Dorothy's child."

"Child? What child?" Dorothy's mother, Molly, frowned deeply.

Not only Molly, but even Dorothy looked bewildered.

But when Molly turned to look at her, Dorothy pretended to clutch her stomach, lowering her head with a guilty expression.

Out of Molly's sight, she kept cursing me under her breath.

"Damn, this guy is really screwing me over. He must be getting back at me."

Molly looked back and forth between us, quickly piecing things together.

She marched over to me.

Seeing her approach angrily, I respectfully addressed her, "Ma'am."

But she didn't respond, instead slapping me across the face.

I didn't block or dodge, knowing this would happen.

"You scoundrel, how will my daughter ever get married now?" Molly demanded, her eyes filled with anger and disappointment.

I glanced at Dorothy behind Molly, who looked amused by my predicament.

I regretted my actions, realizing I was just creating more trouble for myself.

But I couldn't back down now, or I'd be labeled a jerk.

Rubbing my cheek, I smiled and said, "I'll take responsibility!"

"You're from the Johnson family. How can you take responsibility for my daughter?" Molly said angrily, raising her hand again but then lowering it.

I wasn't surprised she guessed my identity; my markings were too obvious.

And since her daughter had brought back someone from the Johnson family, I believed she couldn't be unaware.

"I..." I started to step forward.

"Get out," Molly ordered, clearly not wanting to hear any explanations.

Dorothy, behind her, made a pleading gesture, signaling me to help her. I sighed internally, remembering how she had mocked me earlier.

But she had helped me, and I had promised her, so I had to push through. "I'll marry her. I'm here to propose," I declared.

Molly sneered, "What makes you think you're worthy?"

Her words dripped with sarcasm.

But I wasn't one to back down easily.

"Ma'am, I've had a falling out with my family and have been kicked out. I may not be worthy now, but if you trust me, I'll give Dorothy a happy future," I explained.

"Empty words," Molly scoffed, her eyes full of disdain.

I sighed internally, realizing Dorothy was right—her mother was tough to deal with.

I signaled Dorothy with a wink, indicating it was her turn.

Dorothy's eyes reddened, and she started crying, looking pitiful.

"Mom, please let us be together. We truly love each other," she sobbed.

Her act was so convincing that if I didn't know better, I might have believed it.

Her performance could win an Oscar for Best Actress.

Molly heard her daughter's cries but remained stern. "Kneel," she commanded.

Hearing this, I quickly interjected, "Ma'am, Dorothy is pregnant. This might not be appropriate."

Seeing me jump in, Dorothy gave me a thumbs-up behind her mother's back.

"Pregnant? Do you think I'm blind?" Molly said coldly, her face full of anger.

Dorothy quickly stopped her gestures and lowered her head.

"Uh-oh," she thought.

I hadn't expected Molly to see through our act so quickly. This was going to be tough.

"Dorothy, I can't believe you conspired with a stranger to deceive me," Molly said, her voice filled with disappointment and anger.

I stepped in front of Dorothy, determined to protect her.

"Ma'am, please let me explain. This is all my fault. Dorothy is innocent," I said, blocking Molly's attack.