?Chapter 1705:


    Brenna went straight to what she wanted to say. “I heard that a lot of girls in the mountain viges get into universities, but their families refuse to let them go. From this year on, I’ll personally cover the tuition fees for any student who gets epted. For those whose families are struggling financially, I’ll find part-time work for them to make sure they canplete their studies.”


    “Thank you, Miss Harper, truly. I speak for every girl who now has the chance to go to university. You’re right; the level of poverty in the mountain homes is hard to believe. Even a few thousand for tuition is a big strain on an ordinary family, and for those in worse conditions, it’s impossible. They can’t pay even if they sacrifice everything. The parents aren’t at fault; they just have no options.”


    Ainslie’s voice trembled as she told Ethan and Brenna about the struggles of the people here.


    Dustin and his assistant, Sergio Nash, arrived at Willowbrook—the quiet, remote vige where Debby lived.


    The ce was so secluded that seeing outsiders was rare, and their arrival immediately stirred curiosity. After parking the car near the entrance, the two men started down the narrow dirt road that cut through the center of the vige.


    Holding a loudspeaker, Dustin called out cheerfully, “We’re here to buy jade stones! Offering prices that will definitely satisfy you! If you’ve got any jade at home, bring it out for a look!”


    His words echoed down the nearly empty street, but no one appeared.


    Frowning slightly, he muttered, “Why are there so few people around?”


    He and Sergio walked from one end of the vige to the other and only came across a stooped old man carrying a wicker basket while leading a bleating goat.


    Dustin approached the old man with a polite smile. “Sir, do you have any stones at home? We’re buying—offering very high prices!”


    The old man just shook his head and pointed at his ear, signaling that he couldn’t hear.


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    Dressed sharply in a tailored suit, with a jade pendant glinting against his chest and a luxury watch on his wrist, Dustin cut the figure of a wealthy businessman. His sunsses only added to the impression.


    After the old man disappeared down the road, several middle-aged men emerged from a nearby alley, each holding stones of various sizes.


    The group of men eyed Dustin and Sergio with wariness. They believed the two didn’t look trustworthy. They didn’t have a good impression of them, nor did they believe their own stones were worth anything.


    After all, Baylor had already appraised their stones and dered them nearly worthless—barely worth a few bucks.


    Still, curiosity and the faint glimmer of hope pushed them toward Dustin and Sergio. Maybe this time, things would be different.


    Dustin’s eyes lit up when he saw the stones in their hands.


    It really did seem like everyone in this vige had something worth looking at; every household might be hiding a treasure just waiting to be discovered.


    His excitement barely contained, Dustin called to the nearest person, “Hey there! Come over, let me take a look at the stones you have. I promise my offer will make you happy!”


    The middle-aged man stepped forward, holding out a rough, grayish stone. “Where are you from?” he asked suspiciously.


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