Chapter 40

"Is this your province, Celeste?" Valentina asked her, stuttering.

They gazed upon a place that had been almost stripped of trees and plants. The once lush landscape was now bald, with only patches of grass and rice paddies. The beauty of the buildings that once stood there was also gone, with most of them now abandoned.

Celeste hurriedly headed towards the riverbank where the beauty of the place used to be showcased. But she was surprised to see piles of garbage littering the surroundings. There were metal barriers blocking their way to the riverbank, making it seem like a private bathing area had been set up.

"What happened here?" she couldn't believe what she was seeing. The beauty she had expected from their province was nowhere to be found.

This was the land of the Costa family, registered under Celeste's name. So she knew it couldn't be easily taken away by their relatives, especially while she was still alive.

"Come on, let's go visit Mama Lordes!" she hurriedly said, leading th