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?

thoughts as a swift kick landed on his behind, sending him tumbling to the ground.

parted, giving him space to fall.

he felt a painful twist on his ear. It was Cox Lane, his father,

to the mountain.

the recent misfortunes, and Cox was determined to see things resolved.

gonna be the death of me. Look at the mess you’ve made. I told you to focus on your business, not waste

had experienced hardship and knew the

11.40

the woods, passed down! from the elders,

would’ve thought his son would ruin everything?

protected the village for years, and it wouldn’t have been too

could have meant a windfall for the Lanes

now, all was

fit of rage, Cox didn’t hesitate to discipline Aleck on the spot,

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

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

not entirely selfless, was

benefited from his family’s fortune for years. If

he couldn’t just say that.

to resentment, focusing on losses rather

to share the consequences, it

were

words softened the villagers‘ stance, even earning the chief’s approval, who

let your family shoulder

to the Werewolf, asking how

that it would spare them

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

offered punishment or penalty, whatever it

truly sought vengeance, it could claim

not think of

Cox pinned his hopes on Winnie from the television crew