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?

as a swift kick landed

him

painful twist on his ear. It was Cox Lane, his father, who’d

to the mountain.

the recent misfortunes, and Cox was determined to see things resolved.

trouble was Aleck. “You’re gonna 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

and knew the

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spirits of the woods, passed down!

thought his son would

the village for years, and it wouldn’t have been too much to build a shrine in its honor.

gain its title could have meant a windfall for

all was

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

coldly, silent until Cox finished and, half–fearing, half–ashamed, bowed deeply

ignorance of Aleck 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

plea, though not entirely selfless,

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

he couldn’t just say that.

quick to resentment, focusing on losses rather

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

were still in the village, and he had no

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

village. We can’t let your family shoulder

to the Werewolf, asking how they

that it would spare them further misery.

the resentment fade, yet it wasn’t ready to

had offered punishment or penalty, whatever it wished, but he

If it truly sought vengeance,

not think

Winnie from