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?

grumble, Aleck was jolted from his thoughts as a swift

villagers parted, giving him

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

to the mountain.

most from the recent misfortunes, and Cox was determined to

was Aleck. “You’re gonna be the death of me. Look at the mess you’ve made. I told you to

knew the value of

11.40

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

his son

wouldn’t have been too much

could have meant a windfall

all was

discipline Aleck on the spot, with none

watched coldly, silent until Cox finished and, half–fearing, half–ashamed,

the ignorance of Aleck that offended you. Whatever punishment you see fit, the Lane family will bear it. Please don’t hold the village accountable. Just

not entirely selfless, was practical.

the village had benefited from his family’s fortune for

couldn’t just say that.

quick to resentment, focusing on losses

the village to share the consequences, it would

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

stance, even earning the chief’s approval, who

let your

together they all bowed to the Werewolf, asking

no longer expected its 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

punishment or penalty, whatever it wished, but he was

Werewolf. If it truly sought vengeance, it could claim his son’s life.

not think of it.

his hopes on Winnie