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?

from his thoughts as a swift kick landed on his behind, sending

parted, giving him

a painful twist on his ear. It was

to the mountain.

recent misfortunes, and

be the death of me. 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

hardship and knew

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

thought his son would ruin

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

it gain its title could have meant a windfall for

now, all was lost.

didn’t hesitate to discipline Aleck on the spot,

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

the Lane family will bear it. Please don’t hold the

though not entirely selfless, was

for years. If it all ended now, they had no

he couldn’t just say

resentment, focusing on losses rather than

Cox demanded the village to share the consequences, it would only breed bitterness.

gratitude. After all, the family’s roots were still in the village, and he

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

for the whole village. We can’t let your family shoulder this alone. We’ve all prospered thanks

others agreed, and together they all bowed to the

that

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

penalty, whatever it

cunning Werewolf. If it truly sought

not think

on Winnie from the television crew nearby.