She Quit Her Family and Found Herself novel Chapter 226

In the minibus, Mr. Miller's eyes were rimmed red. He stared at Hulda, opening his mouth several times, but the words refused to come.

Upon returning to the town hall, he immediately deployed his staff to arrange temporary housing for the displaced residents.

Hulda looked down at her mud-splattered clothes, then at Abby and Dr. Lynch, who looked just as rough. "Let's all head back and get cleaned up," she said wearily.

Thankfully, the guesthouse was right next door. They quickly retreated to their respective rooms.

Just as Hulda finished showering and began sorting her dirty clothes, a shout echoed from the courtyard.

"Ms. Atherton, are you there?"

She thought she misheard until it came again. "Ms. Atherton, are you there?"

Realizing it was Mr. Miller, she called back, "Yes, coming!" and headed outside.

Unsure of what the official wanted, Abby, Dr. Lynch, and the rest of the team quickly followed her out, worried she might be facing backlash.

Dr. Lynch, his thinning hair still coated in unrinsed shampoo, shot Mr. Miller and the local staff a highly suspicious glare.

Caleb and the other researcher stood tense and ready, looking fully prepared to defend the two women.

Abby kept her mouth shut, but she felt incredibly bitter.

What were these people trying to pull?

If Director Atherton hadn't issued that warning, half the town wouldn't have made it out alive.

Were they seriously coming to harass her over that stupid phone complaint?

And bringing all these guys? Were they trying to intimidate them?

The more Abby thought about it, the angrier she got, her eyes filling with frustrated tears.

Tears spilled down Mr. Miller's cheeks as he gripped Hulda's hands, trembling. "I am truly, deeply grateful, Director Atherton! If it weren't for your warning, I don't even want to think about what would have happened. Those are real human lives... You saved all of them!"

His grip was painful, but she understood the overwhelming emotion driving it.

She knew his tears weren't for his job—they were for the people.

He was a dedicated leader. The fact that he was still covered in mud and grime was proof enough.

While the research team had gone back to shower, Mr. Miller's group had immediately thrown themselves into disaster relief, not even pausing for a sip of water.

Hulda had always known they were good, responsible men. That was why she had tolerated their earlier dismissiveness.

Mr. Miller shook his head, his voice choking up. "Thank you. Truly, thank you..."

Struggling to find the right words, he bent down into another deep bow.