This place was meant for them.
They initially planned to purchase a home, but the villagers insisted it was destiny that brought them there, offering a house where a centenarian couple had lived and died together, claiming it brought good luck and blessings.
Nicole fell in love with the house right away. It had a main building with three rooms, a well, and a big courtyard adorned with a fragrant osmanthus tree blooming in the summer.
And so, they made it their home.
To show his gratitude, Roscoe began offering free medical check-ups and prescriptions to the village elders.
Given the villages remote location, over sixty miles from the nearest town, Roscoe acquired a motorcycle and a tricycle to facilitate travel.
He cleverly planned to use the motorcycle during the warmer months and the tricycle during the winter to accommodate Nicoles sensitivity to the cold.
Initially, to keep things low profile, they stayed within the village boundaries for three whole months.
Luckily, the village was a haven of self-sufficiency, with everything they needed, including fruits, vegetables, chicken, duck and fish.
After the first three months, Roscoe started weekly trips to the nearby town. He fetched necessities for the villagers and kept up with the latest happenings in Ardlens. He discovered that Jarrod was the subject of a legal investigation because of a scandal involving his abusive behavior, which had significantly damaged his reputation.
Amid Jarrods challenges, the shareholders of the Schultz Group united to vote him out. Officially, they claimed Jarrod was on sick leave, but the consensus was clear. His career was all but finished.
But Jarrod wasnt one to give up easily. After staying out of the spotlight for two months, he regained support by proposing to Vicki and taking back control of the Schultz Group. He appeared to change his ways, often participating in charity events and openly showing his love for Vicki.
Jarrod continued his career quietly, acting unaffected by Nicoles disappearance.
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However, his efforts to expand the business internationally hinted that Jarrod was still
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.
searching for Nicole, albeit more cautiously.
Fortunately, Jarrod centered the search for Nicole abroad, just as Nicole and Roscoe had predicted and desired. This was the reason they had kept Austin away and not brought him to the village. Austin was safe Living with the nanny.
Nicole made video calls every Wednesday to check on Austin, who spoke with Roscoe occasionally.
Despite missing Austin terribly, Nicole limited her video calls with him.
Nicole and Roscoe would not risk bringing Austin to the village until they were certain it was safe. After six months of vigilant observation, they deemed the village secure and secluded enough for their needs.
They planned to bring Austin to the village in the spring. Given his delicate health, the harsh mountain winters were not suitable for him.
They envisioned spending the next few years with Austin, living in the village during spring, summer, and fall, and only moving him to a warmer location during winter.
With Austin in the nannys care, they felt at ease. Hopefully, in a few years, when Jarrod might lower his guard, they could all live together.
Financially, they were secure.
Nicoles investments, managed under Raegans name, sufficiently covered Austins medical bills.
Roscoe had secretly bought several properties. Now, all they needed to do was wait quietly in their secluded mountain retreat for a suitable match for Austin.