Chapter 229

The bitter winter wind cut like knives, but nothing could dampen the villagers' appetite for gossip. The scandal involving the Bright family had spread through the entire production team before noon.

"Did you hear? Thomas Bright and his wife tried to sell their niece for a dowry!" Under the old locust tree at the village entrance, a group of women cracked sunflower seeds between their teeth.

"Disgraceful! They even mixed sand into old Mrs. Bright's grain ration. No conscience at all!"

"That poor girl Amy still thinks her uncle cares for her. Breaks my heart..."

Samuel Bright paused mid-swing, his axe hovering above the firewood. The young man's delicate features darkened as he gazed toward the horizon.

Meanwhile, Nancy Bright fumed in the kitchen, slamming her cleaver into the chopping block. "That wretched girl ruined my reputation!"

Her husband Thomas squatted on the doorstep, cigarette smoke curling around his furrowed brow. "What now? We already took the dowry money."

Nancy's eyes gleamed as she whispered into his ear. Thomas grinned. "Brilliant! I'll go find Peter Wilson right away."

Unbeknownst to them, their every move was being watched. Ethan Miller ducked behind a haystack before tailing Thomas through the village.

Emily Johnson hung laundry in her yard, a faint smile touching her lips when she spotted Ethan sprinting toward her.

"Mommy!" Tommy Stone came running, waving his completed handwriting practice. "I finished!"

Emily ruffled his hair. "Excellent! Go get some hawthorn rolls."

The children's cheers echoed as they raced outside, soon surrounded by playmates. David Stone broke the candy into pieces, distributing them like a benevolent monarch.

"Miss Emily's treats are the best!" Lucy Stone licked her fingers.

Beyond the village, Thomas Bright slipped into a copse of trees with furtive glances. Ethan crept after him, heart pounding like a drum.

As dusk settled, storm clouds gathered—both in the sky and among the villagers. None could predict what tempest would break when dawn came to this quiet hamlet...