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?

a grumble, Aleck was jolted from his thoughts as a swift kick landed on his behind, sending him tumbling to

giving him space to

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

to the mountain.

the recent misfortunes, and Cox was determined to see things

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

hardship and knew

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deep respect for the spirits of the woods, passed down! from the elders, they were always the main contributors to

would’ve thought his son would ruin everything?

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

its title could have meant a

now, all was lost.

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

and, half–fearing, half–ashamed, bowed deeply

it. Please

not entirely selfless, was

from his family’s fortune for years. If it all ended

couldn’t just say that.

resentment, focusing on

village to share the consequences, it

earn their gratitude. After all, the family’s roots were still in the

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

whole village. We can’t let your family shoulder this alone. We’ve all prospered thanks to you.”

they all bowed to

that it would spare them further misery.

from Cox, feeling some of the resentment fade, yet

penalty, whatever it wished, but

If it truly sought

dared not think

on Winnie from the television crew