Bonnie sighed. "Yvette, there's an old custom in Dungo Village. If a woman's firstborn is a boy, she's free to have more children without restriction. But if her firstborn is a girl, and the second is also a girl, that second daughter must be killed unless she's born with a unique constitution—the ability to control poisonous insects. In that rare case, she's spared and given a special title. I'm one of those rare cases. For years, I've been the only second-born girl in Dungo Village to meet these conditions. Before me, there hadn't been one for nearly twenty years. Holden is pressuring me to marry because only a daughter born to me is chosen as the next 'special woman.'"

Yvette's gaze sharpened, a glint of ruthless clarity in her bright eyes. Superstitions like these had been passed down for generations. Bonnie was the only surviving second-born girl in all those years, meaning many others had perished at the hands of these villagers.

Yvette toyed with her cup, her tone detached. "How was Xavian chosen?"

Bonnie snorted coldly. "Yvette, Xavian's selection was a farce concocted by Dr. Hansen, the village's so-called great doctor. It's a sham, with no scientific basis. The villagers blindly believe it. Marrying me off to Holden's nephew, Xavian, is just another way for Holden to control the future 'special woman.'"

Yvette let out a short, sarcastic laugh. "Quite the scheme."

Bonnie's expression turned serious. "Yvette, since I returned, I've noticed something odd about the villagers. They look pale and listless, easily angered, almost as if something has drained their life force. It's frightening."

Yvette's gaze lowered slightly, her voice cold. She tapped her fingers rhythmically on the table. "The villagers are raising poisonous insects, sustaining them with their own blood. Naturally, they'd lack vitality."

Bonnie's eyes widened. "Yvette, how do you know everyone here raises poisonous insects?"

"Jeremiah and a friend of mine uncovered it," Yvette replied coolly.

Bonnie nodded. It wouldn't be difficult for someone with Jeremiah's skills. She looked embarrassed. "Yvette, I'm sorry I didn't tell you who I really am. I don't raise poisonous insects, and I don't know anything about using magical poisons…"

Yvette nodded slightly. "I know. There's no trace of poisonous insects on you."

Bonnie scratched her head, sheepish. 'So, Yvette knew all along,' she thought. "Yvette, not everyone in Dungo Village knows how to raise poisonous insects. Only the women do. Over the years, the conditions for raising them have deteriorated, so successful breeding has become rare. But now the villagers, including some men, look so strange. Even if they're feeding their blood to the insects, it shouldn't affect them like this. Yvette, could they be sick?"

Yvette lowered her gaze, then replied in a chilling tone, "No, they're not sick. They're suffering from severe blood loss. Every man here carries a strong scent of poisonous insects. It's been at least a year. If this continues, they won't survive another year."

Bonnie gasped. "Yvette, will they really die? I was here last summer, and everyone seemed perfectly fine. How could things have changed so drastically? They all know men shouldn't raise poisonous insects with their own blood, so why would they suddenly take such a risk? There must be a hidden secret."

Yvette raised an eyebrow. 'Seems Bonnie's gotten sharper,' she thought. 'Strange events rarely occur without a reason.' "Do you know Sheldon?"

Bonnie's expression soured. "Yvette, Sheldon is a disgusting bastard. He's been a pervert since he was young. Before he was even of age, he got a girl from Dungo Village pregnant and abandoned her. The poor girl died in childbirth, along with the baby, and no one held him accountable. Why are you bringing him up?"

Yvette replied casually, "He brought me into Dungo Village."

Bonnie's jaw dropped. "Yvette, what did you say? You came here with Sheldon?"

Yvette nodded. "Yes."

Bonnie felt touched, on the verge of tears. 'Yvette took such a huge risk to help me,' she thought.

Seeing Bonnie about to cry, Yvette rubbed her temples. "No crying."

Bonnie's tears stopped. 'Yvette is absolutely the queen of ruining a moment,' she thought. She knew she couldn't afford to be weak. Yvette had taken a huge risk, and Bonnie was determined not to be a burden.

Yvette asked, "What kind of person is Holden?"

Bonnie thought. "Yvette, Holden is extremely selfish and controlling, ruthless too. Everyone in the village is afraid of him, and I think he's hiding secrets. Something strange happened when I returned. I visited his house, and saw him coming out of his study. But I'd just checked the study, and no one was there. It was like he'd appeared out of nowhere."

Yvette set down her cup, her face expressionless, her gaze deep and icy. "There's something off about his house."

Bonnie nodded. "Something off? Do you think he has a secret room? How else would he appear out of thin air?"

Yvette's brow lowered slightly. "His residence has a strange aura, and the layout is unusual. There's definitely a secret room, but it's well-concealed and will take time to locate."

Bonnie was shocked her guess was right. Just as she was about to speak, Yvette's gaze turned sharply toward the window. She murmured, "Someone's coming. We have two minutes."

Bonnie clammed up. 'Who could be coming? If they find Yvette here, we're doomed.'

Yvette whispered, "For the next three days, stay inside, eat on time, and keep up your strength."

Bonnie nodded quickly. "I understand, Yvette."