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

him

his ear. It was Cox Lane, his father, who’d come with him

to the mountain.

suffered most from the recent misfortunes, and Cox was

contribute. But to 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

had experienced hardship and knew the value

11.40

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

would’ve thought his son would

wouldn’t have been too

meant a windfall for the Lanes

all

discipline Aleck on the spot, with none of

Cox finished and, half–fearing, half–ashamed, bowed deeply before the

fit, the Lane family will bear it. Please don’t hold the village accountable. Just say

entirely selfless,

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

couldn’t just say that.

resentment, focusing on

share the consequences, it would only breed bitterness.

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

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

We can’t let your family shoulder this alone. We’ve all prospered

agreed, and together they all bowed to the

expected its protection, only that it would spare them further

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

whatever it

Werewolf. If it truly sought vengeance, it

dared not think of

his hopes on Winnie from the