True Tycoon Her Empire, Her Rules

Chapter 199

The villagers stood in stunned silence, feeling the sting of an injustice they couldn’t fathom.

They hadn’t done a thing.

The chief had heard the creature before them, a Werewolf, no less, had been denied some mystical title because of someone’s blunder, and he’d called the culprit an absolute fool, nearly fainting in disbelief.

“My lord, who are you referring to? Who’s this person?” he asked, despite having a sneaking suspicion of the guilty party.

It was likely the descendant of the hunter who once brought wealth to their little hamlet.

Almost reflexively, the chief’s eye’s swept over the crowd of villagers, searching for a particular face among them.

He remembered that family had come to the gathering that day.

Some of the older folks seemed to grasp the situation as well, their gazes falling on a pale–faced young

man.

Aleck Lane, his family was among the wealthiest in the village.

After all, it was the Lane family whose fortunes had spurred the local economy, owning almost half of the mandrake farming contracts.

The Lanes were well–regarded in the village, and Aleck had lived a life of luxury since birth, moving to the city and only returning to his roots during the holidays, carrying with him the airs of a spoiled rich kid.

He was popular with the village youth, loved his liquor, and was known for his drunken rants.

Today, he’d come to the mountain seeking excitement and a glimpse of the rumored Werewolf, never imagining it would all come crashing down on him.

As the accusation sank in, Aleck vaguely remembered something absurd he’d once said, something he’d dismissed as a drunken dream.

He’d never connected it to the odd occurrences plaguing the village.

If only he’d known…

But how could he have confessed?

a swift kick landed on his behind, sending

villagers parted, giving him space to fall.

he could lash out, he felt a painful twist on his ear. It was Cox Lane, his father, who’d come

to the mountain.

suffered most from the recent misfortunes, and Cox was determined to

all this trouble was Aleck. “You’re gonna be the death of me. Look at the mess you’ve made. I told you to focus on your business, not waste your days drinking and gambling with your fair–weather friends. See the trouble you’ve

had experienced hardship and knew the value of hard–won happiness.

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family business involved the forests, and with a deep respect for the spirits of the woods, passed down!

son would ruin everything?

years, and it wouldn’t have been too much

could have meant a windfall for

now, all was

hesitate to discipline Aleck on the spot, with none of the villagers

and, half–fearing, half–ashamed, bowed deeply before the creature.

family will bear it. Please don’t hold the village accountable. Just say the word, and we’ll do whatever we can to make amends.”

plea, though not entirely selfless,

benefited from his family’s fortune for years. If it all ended now,

couldn’t just say

quick to resentment, focusing on losses rather than

village to share the consequences, it would only breed bitterness.

blame and earn their gratitude. After all, the family’s roots were still in the

stance, even earning the chief’s approval, who added,

village. We can’t let your family shoulder this alone. We’ve

all bowed to the Werewolf, asking how they could

only that

Aleck get a thrashing from Cox, feeling some of the resentment fade, yet it wasn’t ready to let

had offered punishment or penalty, whatever it wished, but he was secretly terrified.

this was a cunning Werewolf. If it truly

not think of

Cox pinned his hopes on Winnie from the television crew