Chapter 182

David pulled a handful of broken pieces from his pocket, his small hands trembling slightly.

"Mommy..." Tommy's eyes were red, tears welling up.

Emily Johnson crouched down and carefully examined the fragments. The Rubik's Cube had shattered beyond repair, with no hope of being restored.

"George Jr. took it by force!" David clenched his fists. "He insisted on playing with it, and when we refused, he snatched it away!"

Tommy sniffled. "He... he even threw it on the ground on purpose..."

Emily picked Tommy up and gently patted his back. "Don't cry, sweetheart. Mommy will take you to see George Jr."

"But Daddy isn't home..." Tommy suddenly remembered, gripping the hem of her shirt tightly.

Emily kissed his forehead. "Mommy's here."

Meanwhile, George Jr. burst into his house, panting heavily, and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.

"What the devil?!" Patricia Stone, who was sewing shoe soles, jumped at the sudden noise. "What's gotten into you in broad daylight?"

"Mom, if anyone comes looking for me, tell them I'm not here!" George Jr.'s voice came through the crack in the door.

Patricia spat in annoyance. "Always stirring up trouble..."

Before she could finish, the courtyard gate swung open.

Emily stood at the entrance, holding her two children's hands, with a group of curious neighbor kids trailing behind her.

"Sister-in-law," Emily said coolly. "Please ask George Jr. to come out."

Patricia set down her needlework, her expression darkening. "Oh, what a rare visit. Emily, what brings you here today?"

"George Jr. stole my children's toy and deliberately broke it," Emily said, meeting her gaze squarely. "This matter needs to be addressed."

David held up the broken pieces. "Dad brought this back from the city—you can't even buy it in town!"

Patricia glanced at the fragments, her heart sinking. The toy looked expensive.

"Kids roughhousing is normal," she said with a forced laugh. "Besides, it's just a toy..."

"Five dollars," Emily stated bluntly. "Either pay up, or have George Jr. apologize in person."

"Five dollars?!" Patricia's voice shot up. "That's robbery!"

Emily smirked. "If you don't believe me, go ask at the town department store. Imported toys like this probably cost ten dollars or more."

The crowd of children outside the courtyard grew larger, and Patricia's face flushed with embarrassment.

"You little brat!" She turned and banged on George Jr.'s door. "Get out here now!"

The door didn't budge.

Emily said softly, "If you can't handle this, I'll go talk to William. And if that doesn't work, there's always the village chief."

Patricia's face turned pale, then red with anger. She kicked the door hard. "If you don't open this door right now, I'll break your legs!"

The door creaked open a sliver. George Jr. peeked out, his face ghostly white...