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?

swift

giving him space to

felt a painful twist on his ear.

to the mountain.

suffered most from the recent misfortunes, and Cox was determined to see

Look at the mess you’ve made.

hardship and knew the value

11.40

for the spirits of the woods, passed down! from the elders, they were

would’ve thought his son would ruin

have been too much to build a

a windfall for the

all was

didn’t hesitate to discipline Aleck on the spot, with none

Werewolf watched coldly, silent until Cox finished and, half–fearing, half–ashamed, bowed deeply before the

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

entirely selfless, was

his family’s fortune for years. If it

couldn’t just say

resentment, focusing on losses rather than gains.

the village to share the consequences, it would

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

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

village. We can’t let your family shoulder this

all bowed to the Werewolf,

that it would spare

feeling some of the resentment fade, yet it wasn’t ready to

it wished, but he

truly

not think of

his hopes on Winnie from the