Chapter 48: The Moment Derek Harlan Heard the Footsteps of Agnes Ward

The moment Derek Harlan heard the footsteps of Agnes Ward and the others leaving, a sinister grin spread across his face. He strode to the bed and roughly pressed his coarse palm against Vanessa Ward’s bare shoulder.

"Ah! What are you doing?" Vanessa shrank back in terror, the blanket slipping to reveal her pale skin.

"Stop pretending," Derek sneered, his eyes roaming shamelessly over her. "The whole village saw you lying naked with me."

Vanessa trembled with fury. "Derek Harlan! You promised it would be Elena! You set me up!"

Derek leisurely buttoned his shirt. "You wanted to trap Elena, but you ended up trapping yourself. Whose fault is that?" He suddenly grabbed her chin. "If you hadn’t tried to scheme against her, I wouldn’t have suffered like this!"

Tears welled in Vanessa’s eyes as his grip tightened painfully.

"Now the whole village knows you’re mine," Derek hissed, leaning closer. "Either marry me quietly, or—" His fingers dug in harder. "—die."

Vanessa gasped for air, frantically slapping at his arm. Derek finally released her with a cruel smirk. "Think carefully. Who else would want a used woman like you?"

Outside, Agnes’s voice called for him. Derek straightened his collar and stepped out.

The yard was crowded with villagers. Agnes immediately rushed to him. "Derek, was Elena in that room just now?"

Mayor Martin Reed frowned. "Agnes, what are you implying?"

"I—I was just asking..." Agnes forced a nervous laugh, shooting Derek desperate looks.

Derek lowered his head but spoke clearly. "Mom, don’t make me lie. Elena was never in that room. It was always Vanessa..."

"You’re lying!" Agnes stamped her foot in frustration.

Just then, Calvin Ward arrived with his sons, taking in the scene with feigned surprise. "What’s going on here?"

Mayor Reed snorted. "Calvin, your family’s schemes grow bolder by the day! Plotting against your own niece!"

Suddenly, Derek dropped to his knees. "Mayor, it’s my fault! Uncle Calvin and Aunt Agnes never told me to lie. I was just... tempted by greed."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Agnes turned deathly pale, swaying on her feet.

At the back of the crowd, Elena Ward watched with a cold smile.

The show was finally over.