The Heiress’ Return: Six Brothers at Her Beck and Call

Chapter 1710 They Will Come for You Next

"The chosen child, of course," Carmila said as she placed fresh fish and chips on the table. "She's to be the River God's bride and will have to spend a night alone by the riverbed. Maybe she got scared."

Martin took a drag from his cigarette and waved her off. "Go on, go make a couple more dishes. Enough of your blabbering."

Carmina inhaled sharply but turned and left without another word.

Wynter caught the implications immediately. She signaled to Dalton to stay put while she went to dig for more information herself.

Dalton, however, had his own way of keeping Martin under control.

When Martin came over to refill his tea, Dalton made his move. Instantly, Martin froze in place, and his consciousness was locked in the present moment.

Dalton was clear-headed. "Come out."

The black serpent slithered out reluctantly. "Yes, my lord?"

Dalton sounded almost indifferent. "Explain. Why are there traces of my energy here?"

The black serpent wasted no time to answer him. "Do you remember that there was another snake like me back during the war? It aligned itself with your fate and used the country's fortune to become a dragon.

"Since founding the nation, becoming spirits like that was forbidden. That one was just... lucky."

Dalton glanced at it. "And?"NôvelDrama.Org: text © owner.

It hurriedly continued, "Then, an old cultivator came by. He set up offerings for you, and apparently, he also left behind something of yours. I don't know what it was. That person's cultivation was too high-I didn't dare look too closely.

"The rainstorm a while back-that was likely caused by the old cultivator. He must have ordered the dragon to do it."

Realizing the implications, it raised its head abruptly. "My lord, that's betrayal! It disobeyed your will by summoning the rain on its own! It's even more unworthy of taking the test!"

Dalton ignored its final comment, his gaze shifting to the side.

Meanwhile, when Wynter entered the kitchen, she immediately noticed Carmila sighing heavily, her eyes red and swollen, as if she had been crying.

Upon seeing Wynter, Carmila quickly wiped her face and asked, "Why did you come in here?"

Wynter smiled slightly. "I wanted to help out."

"The food's almost done. You should just sit and chat. I can tell that you don't cook often." It was evident that Carmila was a kind soul.

Wynter didn't waste time with pleasantries and asked directly, "I noticed you've been crying. Is it about the River God"

Before she could finish, Carmila quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. "You can't speak ill of the River God here! The clan leader doesn't allow it."

Carmila looked around nervously before closing the door tightly. "Why do you outsiders insist on coming to a place like this? You should've gone to the city instead."

It was evident that Carmila was feeling uneasy. "Please, leave the village before it's dark. That girl is already gone, and you're a young woman, too. I'm worried that something might happen to you."

"What do you mean?" Wynter asked, feigning confusion to encourage Carmila to elaborate. "I don't understand.

I'm not from this village. Surely, this has nothing to do with me."

Carmila gripped Wynter's hand tightly. "You don't understand how things work here. The fate of every child who is sent to the riverbed depends on the River God's mood.

"If the River God is pleased, the child might come back-but those who return are never the same. They go mad. And if the River God isn't pleased, the girl is just... gone.

"It's time for the ritual again. Families with daughters have all left if they could. But the Frouds family stayed. They're hoping to offer their daughter for two million dollars before leaving the village for good. "But now their daughter has disappeared, and you're about the right age. They'll definitely come for you!"