Chapter 148

Margaret Lee had been missing for days. The villagers whispered that the girl's reputation was ruined beyond repair.

Old George Lee paced anxiously outside the Clark residence, his only hope pinned on extorting money from them. Without it, his eldest son would end up in jail.

"Daisy! Come out!" George bellowed at the door.

Martha Clark stood firm, her expression icy. "She's not here."

Charles Clark shifted uneasily beside his mother. No trace of her for days... Could she really have drowned?

"Did anyone check the river?" he blurted.

Martha slapped his arm. "Don't be absurd!" She couldn't risk giving the Lees any leverage.

"But people are saying she jumped," Charles insisted.

George and his son exchanged uneasy glances. If she'd drowned, where was the body?

"Go search the river then!" Martha snapped. "Disgraceful—selling your own daughter for dowry money!"

The Lees slunk away, defeated.

"Father, if Daisy's really dead..." Jack Lee wrung his hands. "How will we pay my debts?"

George's eyes gleamed with cunning. "Blame that young widow for seducing you. If that fails, make her marry you to settle it."

The old man showed no grief—only greed.

Meanwhile, Charles sought out Samuel Bright.

"Sam, I think Daisy might have drowned," Charles said hoarsely. "The Lees came demanding answers again."

Samuel frowned. "Was her body found?"

"No." Charles shook his head. "Probably swept away."

His stomach churned. He'd only wanted a hardworking wife to start a family. Now this tragedy...

"Regretting not paying the dowry?" Samuel cut to the heart of it.

Charles fell silent. Guilt gnawed at him—a life lost because of their feud.

Rumors spread through Riverstone Village like wildfire. Some accused the Clarks of driving the girl to suicide, sparking outrage. As outsiders, the family had little standing to defend themselves.

(What twists await? Did Margaret truly perish? Can the Clarks clear their name? What underhanded plot will the Lees devise next?)