Chapter 248: At the Break of Dawn

At the break of dawn, Daniel Ward made his way to Martin Reed's house, carrying a pack of premium cigarettes and two bottles of fine liquor that gleamed in the morning light. His sister Elena had prepared them as New Year's gifts for her godfather.

Martin sat on the heated brick bed, puffing on his pipe while his two sons, Liam and Owen, flanked him. When Daniel entered, the brothers immediately stood to greet him.

"Daniel! You're here early!" Owen said warmly.

Martin squinted with a smile. "You sure didn't waste any time."

Daniel set the gifts on the table. "Uncle, these are from Elena."

Martin waved his hands in protest. "This is too much! She already brought over plenty yesterday—"

"If you refuse, she'll say I don't know how to behave," Daniel cut in with a chuckle. "Besides, these were gifts from her patients. She insisted you have them."

Liam clapped Daniel on the shoulder. "Come on, Daniel. No need for formalities between our families. If it weren't for Elena, who knows what would've happened to my sister."

The three settled on the bed, and Daniel passed around cigarettes. Amid the curling smoke, he broached the real reason for his visit.

"Uncle, I was thinking of fixing up the old house..."

Martin slapped his thigh. "Leave it to me! Liam and Owen trained as carpenters—they'll handle the doors and windows. I'll get some experienced hands to patch up the roof. We'll have it done in a day."

True to his word, Martin immediately set off to gather help, while the brothers followed Daniel home to take measurements.

The yard soon buzzed with activity. Villagers carried straw and buckets of mortar in and out. Daniel and the Reed brothers handed out cigarettes and water as the clatter of roof tiles echoed above.

By evening, new doors and windows were installed, and the roof had been completely repaired. Luke Jackson, Elena's eldest nephew, brought firewood to heat the brick bed.

"Finally livable again," Luke said, wiping sweat from his brow.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached. A villager rushed in, panting. "Mayor! Trouble—The Wards' place is in chaos!"

Martin frowned. "What now?"

"Caleb and Harold were beaten! They went to the Harris place for answers, but—"

Daniel's heart skipped. It seemed Vanessa's ordeal wasn't over yet.

At the Wards' home, Caleb cradled his broken arm, howling in pain, while Harold's leg bent at an unnatural angle. Calvin Ward paced anxiously inside, and Agnes wailed curses at the Harris family.

"The mayor's here!" someone shouted.

Martin strode into the yard, his expression grim, followed by several village officials. He examined the injured men, his frown deepening.

"What happened?"

Calvin grabbed Martin's arm. "Martin, you have to stand up for us! Those Harris bastards—"

It turned out Caleb and Harold had gone to confront the Harris family that morning, only to find loan sharks demanding repayment. Derek Harlan had already fled, leaving the enraged debt collectors to take their anger out on the Ward brothers.

"They even took Vanessa's dowry!" Agnes wailed, pounding her chest.

Martin sighed. "Get them to the clinic first. This... will take careful handling."

As night fell, Daniel stood in front of his newly repaired house, gazing toward The Wards' home in the distance. He knew this storm was only beginning.