Chapter 27
Brent thought. So that’s what this is about. A realization dawned on him. “I almost forgot. If Sharon dared to come here alone, there’s no diay she came unprepared. She must know the person who posted that bounty.”
Following that logic, he figured Sharon might actually still be alive. After all, such a bold move had never been seen before putting up a thousand Hunter Coins just to find some people.
Right then, several helicopters appeared above Graceville Manor, sweeping the area in tight formation. Bodies had already piled up in the shadows of the estate–people who’d mysteriously turned up dead.
While Wayne was at his wits‘ end, his mother, Madeline, rushed over and asked, “Wayne, what the hell is going on? Why are there so many dangerous people around the estate? What are we supposed to do?”
Wayne replied, “Mom, calm down. Sharon’s dead. Who gave the order to send her into the parlor?”
Madeline’s expression turned awkward. “How could she be dead? But I told them to keep an eye on her, to spare her life.”
She thought, ‘Well, so what if she’s dead? She was just some bumpkin from a poor village anyway!
“Mom, why did you do that? She’s still my cousin no matter what. How could you? Do you have any idea what kind of mess we’re in? The Baxter family is not going to let this slide,” Wayne said.
He was so furious he felt like he was about to explode. He never imagined it would be his own mother causing all the trouble.
Madeline replied, “What’s wrong with what I did? That hillbilly was never your cousin in my eyes. Just make up something and smooth it over.”
“And if the Baxters really want to make a fuss, your sister Karen’s about the right age. Why wouldn’t she be good enough for Nicholas?” she added, feeling more and more resentful as she thought about it. To her, Sharon’s death was a blessing.
“Mom, stop talking. I’ll handle this,” Wayne sighed. If he could crack open his mother’s skull, he seriously wanted to know what kind of wiring was in
there.
A servant rushed in. “Mr. Vance, something’s wrong. Mr. Edward Baxter and Mr. Ernie Dolan are here. They said they’re here to demand justice.”
Wayne closed his eyes, feeling as if he had aged many years in an instant. “Got it. I’ll be right there.”
“Perfect timing. Both families are here. Wayne, go talk to Edward. Tell him how your remarked.
sister
is
every
bit
as
good as that backwoods girl,” Madeline
Wayne didn’t even want to reply. When he stepped out, he turned to the servant and said, “Keep an eye on my mother. Don’t let her wander off.”
Edward and Ernie, two reclusive titans of their generation, suddenly showed up at Graceville Manor. Many families had gotten the news, but no one knew what major incident had happened.
Roxanne, who had been trying her best to stay out of sight, now had no choice but to face them. She forced herself to step out and meet the guests. “What brings you here?”
Edward said, “I heard my future granddaughter–in–law got hurt on your property. If she gets even a single scratch, you’ll have to her life, then the Vance family will have to pay with theirs.”
pay tenfold. If she loses
Gone was the kindly old man. Right now, his expression was cold and ruthless, his gaze sharp and full of threat. This was the true head of a powerful family.
Roxanne flushed with rage. “If you want someone dead, kill whoever you like. I have no idea who did it. Whoever is guilty should be the one to pay.”
Chapter 27
She thought, We’ve got plenty of scapegoats for our family anyway!
“Oh yeah? Mrs. Vanne, let’s hope you don’t regret saying that.” A cool, sharp voice rang out. Sharon suddenly appeared at the entrance of the bat
Everyone around was stunned, each of them thinking. ‘Is that a ghost? Wasn’t Sharon already dead?‘
“Shan, I’m just glad you’re okay. I was worried sick,” Edward said, letting out a breath of relief,
Brent chimed in. “Sharon, Nick was right all along. Everyone’s been tearing the place apart looking for you.”
Nicholas finally relaxed a little as he looked at her. “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me?”
Sharon, who was usually so obedient, had actually snuck off to Graceville Manor on her own, and ended up causing this whole misunderstanding.
Seeing so many people show up looking for her, Sharon felt a little guilty. “Sorry, I got a bit impatient.”
“It’s alright. Just let me know next time,” Nicholas said, already letting it go. He thought, ‘What else can I do?”
Sharon’s voice was soft, her pretty eyes full of guilt, and he just couldn’t bring himself to blame her.
“Shari, come here and let me take a look. You don’t owe that brat an apology. He’s the one who failed to protect you. If anyone should be apologizing, it’s him, not you.” All Edward cared about was Sharon’s safety, completely playing favorites.
Roxanne’s tone was sharp. “She’s alive, isn’t she? What’s with all the drama? You guys should leave now. We’re not accepting guests today.”
“Are you trying to dodge responsibility?” Sharon looked at Roxanne with a faint smile, her beautiful eyes chilling.
Roxanne snapped, “Watch your mouth. Is that how you talk to your grandmother? What do you mean I’m dodging responsibility? You’re the one making a big deal out of nothing, dragging all these people here to back you up to make yourself look tough.
“You’re just like your eight useless brothers–no manners, no class, a bunch of backwater bastards.”
“Some old women are grandmas, and some are just old and rotten.” Sharon’s eyes turned cold as she clicked her tongue. “Who kidnapped my dad? I
want answers.”
Roxanne said, “Who exactly kidnapped your father? I just had someone bring him over for a little chat. Do you have any proof I kidnapped him?” She turned to Martin. “Martin, tell them–did I send someone to kidnap you?”
Martin’s expression turned complicated.
Roxanne’s tone went cold. “Think carefully before you speak, Martin. One wrong word, and Sharon could end up branded a disgrace to the Vance family.“”
Martin felt nothing but fury. It was obvious Roxanne was behind it all, and now she had the nerve to threaten him.
Sharon suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Forget it. Let’s go.” She thought, ‘If they won’t take the easy way, then I won’t bother playing nice.‘
Roxanne let out a breath of relief, her eyes gleaming with smug satisfaction. She thought, ‘What can you do to me anyway?‘
Just then, Wayne showed up, hurrying to stand in front of Sharon. “Shari, thank goodness you’re okay. I promise I’ll get to the bottom of this and give. you an explanation.”
Sharon’s face remained blank. She didn’t even know who the man standing in front of her was.
Nicholas spoke, “That’s Wayne Vance, your cousin.”
“Alright,” Sharon replied without even lifting her gaze, let alone acknowledging Wayne properly.
Wayne didn’t take her indifference to heart. He turned to Nicholas instead and asked, “Now that we’ve found everyone and Shari’s safe, shouldn’t that bounty on the forum be taken down?”
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Chapter 27
Roxanne chimed in, her tone dripping with sarcasm, “Edward, don’t you think your family’s gone too far? You actually posted a public bounty and sent a bunch of killers storming into Graceville Manor to look for the Crawfords.
“If anything happens to my family, can you even afford to take responsibility?”
Roxanne already knew quite a few people from the Vance family had been attacked, and it was obvious those assaults were the work of those shady crimmals.
Nicholas remained calm. “Like I said, the bounty didn’t come from the Baxter family.”
“If not you guys, then who else could’ve pulled it off?” Wayne looked genuinely surprised. He had gone over every possibility in his head, and Nicholas still seemed like the most likely suspect.
No one would ever suspect Sharon, the girl from some poor backwater village.
“It was me.” Sharon’s voice was soft. She glanced at the Vance family with a half–smile, like she was genuinely enjoying the look of total disbelief on their
faces.
“There’s no way it was you.” Roxanne’s eyes widened in shock. She thought, ‘Where would this country bumpkin even get that kind of power? No way. Just no freaking way.‘
Sharon tucked a strand of her long hair behind her ear and said, “Surprised? Didn’t s see that coming, huh?”
Her gaze swept over them with absolute confidence, like she owned the room. In that moment, it was like Sharon had become a completely different
person.
AD
