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 his behind, sending

him

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

to the mountain.

had suffered most from the recent misfortunes, and Cox

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

had experienced hardship and knew the value of hard–won

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

would’ve thought his son

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

meant a windfall for the Lanes and the

now, all was

of rage, Cox didn’t hesitate to discipline Aleck on the spot, with none of the villagers raising a

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

that offended you. Whatever punishment 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 amends.”

plea, though not entirely

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

couldn’t just

quick to resentment, focusing

share the consequences, it would only breed bitterness.

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

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

the whole village. We can’t let your

they all bowed to the

that it would spare them further

the resentment fade, yet it wasn’t ready to let

punishment or penalty, whatever it wished, but he was

truly sought vengeance, it could claim his

dared not think

his hopes on Winnie from