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?

as a swift kick landed on

giving him space

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

to the mountain.

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

discover that the source of all this trouble was Aleck. “You’re gonna be the death of me. Look at the mess you’ve made. I told you to

experienced hardship and knew the value

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spirits of the woods, passed down! from the elders, they

thought his son would ruin

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

meant a windfall for the

all

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

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

will bear it. Please don’t hold the

though not entirely selfless, was practical.

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

he couldn’t just say

quick to resentment, focusing on

demanded the village to share the consequences, it would only

family’s roots were still in the village, and he had no desire

expected, Cox’s words softened the villagers‘ stance, even earning

We can’t let your family shoulder

bowed to

protection, only that it would spare them further misery.

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

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

was a cunning Werewolf. If it truly sought vengeance, it could claim

dared not think

Winnie