Chapter 1076

Chapter 1076

Maja was comfortably perched on a flat rock while lan went off in search of a mountain spring to clean the wild

mushrooms he’d collected.

The moment he left, the other women shot Maja dirty looks.

“Why even bother to hike if you’re just going to be carried? Do you even know what hiking is? Every woman here is

more accomplished and refined than you, yet you’re the one being carried by a man.”

Maja was still holding a wild apple, which lan had picked for her along the way. He had mentioned that the tree was

known for its fruit–bearing. but one had to be lucky to taste its yield.

She tossed the apple in her hand, turning to the woman who had spoken out.

“If you’re jealous of me being carried by lan, why don’t you just ask him to carry you next time?”

The woman was fuming. She looked around to see the last group of hikers arriving and sneered.

“Even Ms. Sanders, who is unwell, managed to walk here on her own. When lan eventually tires of you, let’s see

which man would indulge your capricious nature.”

Maja was about to retort when the other women chimed in.

“Exactly, you’re not even a big deal. Once lan’s done with you, you won’t even dare show your face around us.”

“A woman should always be independent.”

By belittling Maja, they wanted to portray themselves as strong and independent.

Society was ever–changing. Once, the more naive and innocent a woman was, the more popular she became. But

in recent years, the call was for women to be strong and independent, not reliant on men.

But these women’s idea of being strong and independent was to belittle other women to elevate themselves. What

kind of strength was that?

Maja found it amusing. When lan returned, she handed him the apple

“Could you wash this for me? Do you have a pocket knife? Could you slice it for me? It’s too big to bite into.”

The others felt like retching at her request

What were they doing right now?

They were hiking! And it was a two–day hike. They wouldn’t be picked up by a helicopter until the next afternoon.

They were here to enjoy the scenery and nature. A simple wash would suffice for the apple, yet she insisted lan

slice it for her.

Everyone expected lan to lose his temper because Maja was being too demanding!

But lan took the apple, looking at Maja.

Maja smiled at him, even licking her lips.

She wasn’t trying to seduce him, she genuinely wanted the apple.

lan’s mind was filled with Maja and her words, ‘It’s too big to bite into

As explicit images filled his mind, he felt a rush of heat.

He turned and walked to the spring. The apple was sliced and placed on a clean leaf when he returned

He’d even whittled a stick into a makeshift fork and stuck it into the apple.

Maja took the leaf and began eating the apple with the stick.

lan couldn’t bear to watch her anymore. He needed to do something to clear his mind, so he grabbed the

backpacks from Ryan and Tyler and started setting up the tent by himself.

Even Tyler felt a pang of jealousy, seeing how lan pampered Maja.

Who even behaved like this on a hike?

But he didn’t say anything. Complaining would only make him feel worse

Judith couldn’t stand it any longer. She was shaking with rage.

“Maja, you’re being too much. Having lan carry you is one thing, but now you’re making him set up the tent alone

and even slice your apple for you. You clearly don’t care about him at all if he were with any other woman, he

wouldn’t have to put up with this.”

It was clear whom she was referring to when she said ‘any other woman

Maja, eating her apple, found this amusing

“This is how lan and I get along. If we’re okay with it, why should you care, Ms. Sanders? Even if you want to be his

girlfriend, you should consider whether lan even wants you.”

Up until now, Maja hadn’t said anything to provoke Judith, and the others had been observing their passive–

aggressive jealousy.

But this statement put Judith in the position of a gold digger, which was a huge insult to her.

Tears welled up in Judith’s eyes.

“I was just worried about lan. Was that so wrong? Maja, you don’t deserve to be with him.”

While Judith was the one with sinister intentions, she was now crying as if she was the one who had been wronged.

The others began to comfort her, acting as if she was the victim.