?Chapter 1043:


    Chris’s attention settled on Maia with newfound understanding.


    His wife’s intelligence and strength suddenly made perfect sense—she had inherited her father’s formidable legacy.


    A subtle smile touched his lips as his fascination with Maia’s origins deepened.


    Suddenly, chaos erupted beyond the walls.


    “Move faster! The generous benefactor has returned. If we arrivete, we’ll miss everything.”


    “Another visit? This is the third time, isn’t it?”


    “Stop wasting time with chatter, or you’ll lose your chance…”


    Their attention shifted toward themotion outside, where pedestrians rushed through the streets as though drawn by some momentous event.


    Royce stepped from behind his counter, positioned himself at the doorway, and peered into the distance before addressing Maia. “Someone has arrived to help these disadvantaged neighborhoods, distributing food and essential supplies to those in need. Will you join them? If not, would you mind supervising the store?” His expression brightened with genuine enthusiasm. “I refuse to miss witnessing such generous acts.”


    “I’d love to see this myself,” Maia replied, her interest immediately sparked. She burned with curiosity about the identity of the person helping the slum’s residents.


    If possible, she wanted to contribute as well.


    Kathie, catching Maia’s intentions, offered an encouraging smile. “You should all go ahead. My age makes me better suited to remain here and guard the store.”


    The group navigated through several treacherous alleyways, where muddy ground created slippery footing beneath their feet, their steps asionally sshing through puddles left by the recent rainfall.


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    Ahead stretched a moderately level area teeming with people. At the center stood a makeshift wooden table overflowing with food, clothing, canned provisions, and other vital necessities.<fn2bbc> Follow current nov?ls on ?ovelFind</fn2bbc>


    Volunteers wearing distinctive armbands worked to maintain orderly distribution, while another team handed out the collected supplies.


    Within the crowd, someone helped an elderly person secure their stic bag.


    Sunlight filtered through gaps between the crumbling buildings, bathing one man in a golden glow.


    He raised his head, and their eyes met.


    Maia’s body went rigid with shock.


    The man was Hurst.


    Hurst lifted his hand in greeting toward Maia, his eyes brightening with quiet, unmistakable satisfaction as his mouth curved into a gentle arc.


    After learning of Maia’s visits to these impoverished areas, he had made a daily habit ofing here to donate to the disadvantaged residents.


    Everything he had orchestrated led to this precise moment.


    His goal was to make a favorable impression on Maia, to present himself as someone driven bypassion, and to engineer a seemingly idental encounter designed to win her admiration.


    Of course, it wasn’t easy… but Hurst also had information about Maia’s parents, which was enough to make her feel grateful to him.


    With supreme confidence, Hurst maneuvered through the assembled crowd, advancing purposefully toward Maia.


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