After officially launching the village’s tourism initiative, Vanessa invited travel bloggers and food critics to visit and share their experiences.
Most of the village’s residences maintained their original structures, merely reinforced with stronger
walls. Some were converted into inns, others into restaurants.
The entire village was transformed around its natural beauty, with multiple viewing platforms constructed. They recreated historical trading routes reminiscent of the Old West, and the village grandmothers taught visitors traditional crafts like heritage weaving and impression printing
techniques.
The first group of bloggers who experienced the village were impressed, enjoying two or three days of leisure and relaxation in a peaceful, carefree environment.
Online promotions spread rapidly, and the village’s reputation as a getaway destination grew.
The second wave of visitors.was employees from a well–known company on their year–end retreat. Everyone enjoyed their experience.
Soon, travel agencies actively sought partnerships, and increasing numbers of individual travelers
arrived.
With limited capacity, the village implemented a reservation system.
Villagers who had left to work elsewhere heard the news and returned to operate small businesses with their elderly relatives.
Educational and medical facilities were also established, making everyone in the village happy.
“It’s wonderful–your efforts have been worthwhile,” Mason said, standing beside Vanessa at the window, watching tourists pass by outside. His praise was genuine.
“Everyone contributed. I think it’s wonderful too,” Vanessa smiled warmly, then sobered. “We should move on to the next place that needs us.”
Vanessa wanted to use her resources to help more people, ensuring more children had schools and
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His Double Life Crashed… My Empire Soared!
13.5
Chapter 19
more elderly had support.
“Let’s go,” Mason’s lips curved upward involuntarily. His relationship with Vanessa had subtly
changed–at least she no longer tried to send him away.
The day before Vanessa’s departure, Drew arrived.
Grandma Quintero led him inside, eyeing him warily as she warned Vanessa, “This one’s not good news. Stay away from him. I’ll be right outside if you need me.”
Vanessa smiled gently, turning to look at Drew standing in the doorway.
Seeing him again, she felt calmer than expected, as if encountering a stranger who happened to be touring the village.
Nearly two years had passed, and Drew had changed significantly. He had lost weight, his face marked by unmistakable weariness and exhaustion. The light had gone from his eyes, his entire being seeming submerged in darkness.
He was no longer the radiant, gentle man who could make her heart race with a single glance.
‘It’s been a while, Mr. Blackstone,” Vanessa spoke evenly, her voice devoid of emotion.
Drew’s eyes instantly reddened. Vanessa’s detachment cut through his heart.
He had imagined countless reunion scenarios–her crying, shouting, hysterically demanding to know why he had lied…
He never imagined she would be so indifferent.
As if she had never loved him at all.
‘Baby… don’t treat me like this,” he managed, his voice ragged and painful.
‘Mr. Blackstone, we were never married. I’m not your ‘baby,‘ and everything between us ended long ago. Whatever you want to say, I don’t want to hear it,” Vanessa interrupted him.
He shook his head desperately, lunging forward to embrace her.
His Double Life Cracked
Chapter 19
“No, you are my wife. I love you.”
Vanessa stepped back and slapped him hard across the face. “Mr. Blackstone, have some
self–respect!”
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