Chapter 32: Agnes Ward Trembled with Rage

Agnes Ward trembled with rage. Twenty dollars! Why didn’t that wretched girl Elena just drop dead?

She should have drowned in the reservoir back then.

Now, this troublemaker had the nerve to twist the knife in her heart.

But with dozens of eyes watching—especially Amy Miller’s knowing gaze—she didn’t dare refuse. If she did, Amy would surely expose that secret right then and there.

Martin Reed, the mayor, watched Agnes’s gritted teeth with cold amusement. This old hag needed to be put in her place. Time to turn up the heat.

"Agnes Ward, Elena is your own granddaughter. You’ve taken her living expenses for years—what’s twenty dollars now?" Martin deliberately raised his voice. "Unless you’d rather we calculate exactly how much you owe her?"

Agnes’s chest heaved, her nails digging into her palms. "Fine! I’ll pay! Who says I wouldn’t give my own granddaughter money?"

Satisfied, Martin turned to Calvin Ward. "Return everything that belongs to Elena’s family. And Brandon—pay for what he broke. The whole village is watching."

Calvin’s face darkened. This was a complete disaster.

But what could he do? Expose Elena’s true parentage here? The villagers would tear him apart. Who knew this quiet girl could bite so hard?

"Don’t worry, Mayor. We’ll compensate her," Calvin ground out. "But some of her parents’ things… they’re long gone—"

Elena scoffed. Her parents had been the most hardworking couple in the village. Their furniture was made of the finest wood—how could it all disappear? But arguing now was pointless. The priority was getting the money.

"Just return what you can, Uncle," she said flatly.

Calvin shot Brandon a glare. "Clean up your sister’s yard. Now!"

Brandon and Vanessa scrambled to obey, cursing Elena silently.

Before leaving, Martin made sure to tell Elena, "Collect that twenty dollars. If anyone gives you trouble, come straight to me."

Agnes shot Elena a venomous look and stormed off.

As the crowd dispersed, Mrs. Taylor and Amy stayed behind to comfort Elena.

Elena studied Amy discreetly. In her past life, she’d thought Amy was just kind to everyone. Now, she recognized something hidden in those gentle eyes.

But why had Amy encouraged her to run from the arranged marriage instead of revealing the truth? The secret must be even darker than she’d imagined.

Alone, Elena sat on the doorstep, staring blankly. Brandon and Vanessa had done a half-hearted job—broken shards still littered the ground.

She rubbed her temples. Too many mysteries. Agnes and Calvin clearly knew about her origins, but what about her sisters?

Thinking of Grace and her eldest sister, Elena’s heart warmed. They’d always slipped her money despite their in-laws’ disapproval.

This time, she’d protect them.

But she couldn’t leave yet. Her acceptance letter hadn’t arrived. She had to stay vigilant against Agnes’s schemes.

Elena clenched her fists, nails biting into her palms.

This time, history wouldn’t repeat itself.