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?

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

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,

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

experienced hardship and knew

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

would’ve thought his son

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

title could have meant a

all was lost.

to discipline Aleck on the

and, half–fearing, half–ashamed, bowed deeply before the creature.

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

plea, though not entirely selfless,

the village had benefited from his family’s fortune for years. If it all ended now, they had no right

he couldn’t just

quick to resentment, focusing on losses rather than gains.

the consequences, it would only breed bitterness.

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

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

your family shoulder this alone. We’ve all prospered thanks

to the

only that it would spare them further misery.

some of the resentment fade,

whatever it

cunning Werewolf. If it truly

not think

hopes on Winnie from the television crew