The Heiress Nobody Saw Coming

Chapter 674 It Was All A Trick to Scare Them

Very few villagers in Ashford Vale could read before Natalie arrived. Literacy was almost nonexistent back then.

However, after Natalie and her team set up the school, they not only taught the children but also ran adult education classes for a while. So, most of the villagers could at least read basic documents now.

That was why the agreements Marcus had Elijah pass around were mostly understood. The terms were simple-every child in the village, regardless of gender, needed to attend school.

Parents were required to pay for tuition and living expenses. If they did not have money, they would have to sign a labor agreement. That meant they were expected to do whatever work Natalie's team assigned them to without complaint.

If you gave them an inch, they would take a mile. People like them would not appreciate help, so they could not be pampered. The more you gave them, the more entitled and unreasonable they became.

So, if kindness did not work, it was better to instil fear until it became a habit. That way, the next generation would be exposed to education and new ideas, growing up completely different from the villagers today. Daniel and Denzel were proof of that.

"Anyone who doesn't want to sign the papers should speak up now," Marcus said, his voice cold and emotionless as his gaze swept across the crowd.

"If you don't want to listen, take a good look at what happened to Maverick and that guy."

Marcus turned his eyes to the bruised and bloodied man still kneeling on the ground. "If anyone wants to join them, step right up."

No one moved, and the field went completely silent.

Elijah raised his voice. "If there are no objections, start signing."

"We have no problems. We'll sign! We'll sign!" someone finally said, breaking the silence.

The rest quickly echoed in agreement. Elijah handed out pens and copies of the agreement, and the villagers signed their names. Once the last signature was collected, Marcus gave Elijah a subtle nod and turned to leave without another word.

sir! Take the chip out of me!" the beaten man cried, clutching Elijah's leg

act out again, I promise! I'll stay in line. I'll dig up herbs and earn money. I'll let my daughter go to school, and I'll keep quiet. I swear! I won't stir up trouble again. Please, the fear

out a half-smile. "You're really that

sir! I'm scared

sliced open the man's thigh. With a flick of his blade, he dug out the tiny chip and

sweat from the pain, but he

"Go get it bandaged. And consider this a friendly reminder Maverick still has a chip inside him. If you don't want him dragging you down

We'll watch Maverick! We'll

nod. "Let this be burned into your heads-boys and girls are both your children. There will be no more prejudice. You will not sacrifice your daughters so your sons can benefit.

I mean completely. I'll be back to check in from time to time. And if I catch anyone slipping back into old habits, I won't go easy

his voice. "Did

the villagers

ask for

We heard you!" the crowd

time I show up, anyone acting out

I deal with.

shuffling off

...

walked over to Natalie and sat across from her, flashing

a slight curve of her lips. "When did you even bring

bluff. There's no way I'd actually put something like that in someone's body. But these people? They're so sheltered that a little scare goes a long way. They're used to

believe the same garbage. They don't even know how to love themselves, so there's no reason to be overly kind. Either fix it once and for all, or be prepared to keep playing this exhausting

luxury of staying here for years, so I figured