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 the ground.

villagers parted, giving him space

he could lash out, he felt a painful twist on his ear. It was

to the mountain.

misfortunes, and

the death of me. Look at the mess you’ve made. I told you to focus on your business, not waste your days drinking

experienced hardship and knew the value of

11.40

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

thought his son would

it wouldn’t have been

title could have meant a windfall for

all

of rage, Cox didn’t hesitate to discipline Aleck on the spot, with none of the villagers raising a voice in defense.

Werewolf watched coldly, silent until Cox finished and, half–fearing, half–ashamed,

Lane family will bear it. Please don’t hold the

entirely selfless, was

to the Werewolf, the village had benefited from his family’s fortune for years. If it all

just

resentment, focusing on losses rather than gains.

the village to share the consequences, it would only

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

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

can’t let your family

and together they all bowed to the Werewolf, asking how they could

no longer expected its protection, only that it would spare them further misery.

Werewolf watched Aleck get a thrashing from Cox, feeling some of the resentment fade, yet it wasn’t

it wished, but he was

this was a cunning Werewolf. If it truly sought vengeance, it could claim his son’s life.

not think

Cox pinned his hopes on Winnie from the