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?

jolted from his thoughts as a swift kick landed

parted, giving him

he could lash out, he felt a painful twist on his ear. It was Cox Lane, his

to the mountain.

the recent misfortunes, and Cox

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 brought on

experienced hardship and knew the value of hard–won

11.40

a deep respect for the spirits of the woods, passed down! from the elders, they

his son would

village for years, and it wouldn’t have been too much to build a shrine in

it gain its title could have meant a windfall for the Lanes and

all was

didn’t hesitate to discipline Aleck on the spot, with

Cox finished and, half–fearing, half–ashamed, bowed

punishment you see fit, the Lane family will bear it. Please don’t hold the village accountable. Just say the

entirely selfless,

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

couldn’t just say that.

were quick to resentment, focusing on

Cox demanded the village to share the

and earn their gratitude. After all, the family’s roots were still in the village, and he had no desire to become its

stance, even earning

We can’t let your family shoulder this alone. We’ve all prospered thanks

bowed to the Werewolf, asking how

protection, only that it would spare

Werewolf watched Aleck get a thrashing from Cox, feeling some of the resentment

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

truly sought vengeance, it could claim his son’s

not think

hopes on Winnie