Chapter 127

Leonardo couldn't help but laugh out loud again.

He looked at Sophia and Henry, shaking his head in amusement. "What are you two playing at?"

The display of emotion was so convincing, it almost seemed real.

The opportunity had gone to the most deserving person. Why was she crying here, saying it was impossible?

Even if the spot didn't go to Summer and Logan, it wouldn't have gone to her. What was she thinking, crying and saying such things?

Did she think the spot was hers?

Others might not understand Sophia's thoughts, but Henry did.

Sophia pulled herself out of her collapsing emotions, ignoring Leonardo's mocking tone. Unable to contain her feelings, she turned to Henry, her voice trembling, "What's going on? Didn't you say…"

She bit her tongue, stopping herself from saying more.

After all, she didn't know exactly what method Henry had used. She couldn't risk saying the wrong thing and causing trouble, especially not in front of Leonardo. That would be bad for them.

Under Leonardo's and Sophia's gaze, Henry felt like a clown.

Even when he was caught red-handed by Ken stealing grain from the storage with Charlie and Gabe and sent to reform through labor, he hadn't felt as humiliated as he did now.

His brows furrowed deeply, and he remained silent, holding his breath without answering Sophia.

He also wanted to know what was going on. Did Leonardo and the village officials brazenly ignore the directives from above and revoke the spot that was supposed to be his? Or had Rachel deceived him?

Judging by Leonardo's puzzled and speechless attitude, it was likely that the village committee hadn't received any directives. Henry couldn't believe that such small village officials would dare defy orders from higher up.

So, the problem probably lay with Rachel.

With this thought, Henry decided he wouldn't stand in front of Leonardo playing the fool any longer.

He still had to continue living in Tansy Creek, so he couldn't afford to offend Leonardo over his attitude or his own emotions. He said, "We understand. Sorry to trouble you, Captain Leonardo."

With that, he turned and walked out of the office.

Seeing Henry leave, Sophia naturally didn't stay either.

She wiped the tears from her face and followed Henry out of the office.

Leonardo watched them leave, muttering under his breath, "What a bunch of fools…"

***

Sophia followed Henry out of the courtyard of the village office.

She had been so sure that she would get the spot and return to the city. Now, hearing the result from Leonardo, she couldn't accept it in such a short time.

She felt both desperate and anxious, wanting to ask Henry what had happened. But seeing his dark, stormy expression, she held back, clenching her fingers without urgently pressing him.

Henry didn't offer Sophia any explanations.

No matter how he explained, it would seem like he was making excuses for his own incompetence.

He had confidently promised Sophia that he would secure the spot for her to return to the city.

Because he was so sure, they had even talked about their plans for after they separated and how much they would miss each other.

Now, no matter what he said, it would feel like a slap in the face.

So, they walked in silence.

Henry returned to the volunteer dormitory with a dark expression. When Charlie and Gabe called him for dinner from the kitchen, he ignored them and went straight to the boys' dormitory.

Charlie and Gabe were left bewildered.

They didn't know what had suddenly upset Henry.

They looked at each other and then turned to Sophia, asking, "What's up with Henry?"

Sophia shook her head slowly, offering no answer.

If Henry didn't want to talk, she certainly wasn't going to explain in the courtyard where Lily and Mike could hear and turn it into a joke.

Charlie and Gabe exchanged glances again, then followed Henry into the dormitory.

When they entered, Mike, Jack, and Sun were just leaving to start cooking.

Charlie and Gabe found Henry sitting at the rickety desk.

He was holding a pen, a piece of red grid paper under his hand, seemingly about to write a letter.

But not a word was written yet.

Charlie and Gabe exchanged another look, and Gabe spoke up, "Henry, who are you writing to? You can finish after dinner, you know."

This seemed to ignite Henry's anger again.

He slammed the pen down on the desk and pushed the paper away.

As soon as he returned to the dormitory, he had grabbed paper and pen.

After what had happened, he wanted to write to Rachel. But once he sat down, spread out the paper, and held the pen, he couldn't write a single word, not even Rachel's name. He didn't know how to begin.

He had planned to write a thank-you letter to Rachel once the return-to-city spot was secured. After everything was settled, he would personally thank her if he had the chance.

Before he went to see Leonardo, he had trusted Rachel completely.

He knew her character and reliability. Since she had promised to help, he believed she would.

But after hearing the outcome from Leonardo, his certainty wavered.

After all, the result was clear—Rachel hadn't secured the spot for him.

He wanted to write to Rachel to vent his frustration and ask what had happened. Did she deceive him, or was there another reason?

Yet he couldn't start the letter because he didn't know how to approach the issue without losing face.

And the mail moved slowly. By the time Rachel received the letter, the matter of returning to the city would have long been over.

Sending a telegram was faster, but it was too expensive.

Even if he could clear things up through a telegram, it wouldn't solve the current problem.