SUNBURN | JOHN B ROUTLEDGE

059

As Sarah joined John B and Gabriella on their walk towards the Chateau, they shared the incredible news: they had found the gold.

Sarah's eyes widened with excitement, and she let out a joyful scream, engulfing them both in a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you! This is what you all deserve!" she exclaimed, her voice sweet and genuine, the joy on her face unmistakable.

Kiara was already in the Twinkie, sitting in the front seat and examining a hastily scribbled drawing of the well. When she saw Sarah and Gabriella approaching, she motioned for them to join her. John B nodded at them, heading off to the yard where Pope and JJ were waiting.

As the girls gathered around, Kiara pointed at the crude sketch. Her finger traced along the paper as she explained, "He said it looked something like this. That's 50 feet down, and they're using 100-feet rope. So I guess this little wagon will go..."

Sarah laughed, catching on to the plan. "Straight to the gold room," Kiara finished with a grin.

Gabriella, always quick with a joke, couldn't help but tease. "Whoever drew this needs art lessons," she said, laughing.

Sarah giggled and asked, "Who drew this?"

Kiara chuckled, giving a knowing look. "Who do you think?" she replied, both of them glancing over at Pope, who was peering into the Twinkie, his gaze lingering on Kiara.

John B approached Pope, noticing how distracted he seemed. "Do you wanna help?" he asked, breaking Pope's trance.

Pope snapped out of it, explaining the plan. "We get this boat winch out, bring it to the basement, drill into the floor. We lower you down and get as much as we can. And, uh... this time we don't drop you."

John B chuckled, grateful for the levity. "That'd be great," he agreed.

Pope's attention shifted back to John B, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "So how's things going with you and Gabriella?" he asked.

John B's face lit up with a smile. "Better than I could've ever imagined. I think—"

Before he could finish, JJ's loud voice interrupted, echoing from across the yard. "This better work, girls!" he shouted, striding towards the Twinkie with three gold bars in his hands. He dropped them onto the ground, the clink of the heavy metal echoing in the quiet. "We can't pawn this if there's a giant wheat symbol on it."

Gabriella looked up at JJ, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, I'm sure you have a great idea up your sleeve."

"You know for a fact I do, Gabby." JJ smiled at her.

Kiara picked up a blowtorch, her expression confident as she confirmed, "It's gonna work."

They all gathered outside the Chateau, the gold bars now placed in one of John B's old pots. JJ and Kiara hovered over it, the blowtorch flaring to life as they began the process of melting down the gold, rendering it completely untraceable.

John B and Gabriella sat side by side, overlooking Kiara who was blowtorching the gold, their hands intertwined as they leaned against a tree. The warmth of the day and the tension of their mission mingled in the air. John B turned to Gabriella, his voice soft and sincere. "If this works, will you live with me?"

Gabriella looked at him, confused. "I already live with you," she replied, her brows furrowing slightly.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, yeah, I know. But would you live with me in my massive kook house?"

Gabriella's lips curled into a smile, the affection in her eyes evident. "Like I have a choice in saying no," she teased, resting her head on his shoulder.