Chapter 29: Caleb Ward's Temper Flared Instantly

Caleb Ward's temper flared instantly, and he raised his hand to strike a slap. In his eyes, a disobedient younger sister like this deserved a harsh lesson.

Raised under Calvin Ward's strict discipline and Agnes Ward's constant reinforcement, he firmly believed that "spare the rod, spoil the child." His impression of Elena Ward had always been that of a pitiful girl who endured beatings and insults in silence, shedding quiet tears.

But this time, Elena was prepared. She sidestepped the blow effortlessly.

She would never be a helpless victim again.

Grabbing the carrying pole leaning against the wall—left there by Adrian Stone's student after fetching water—she wielded it as her weapon.

"Remember, hitting a woman comes with consequences. Now get out!" Elena's voice was ice-cold.

She knew she wasn't skilled in fighting—she had never thrown a punch in either of her lifetimes. But she understood one thing clearly: if she didn't stand her ground now, every member of the Ward family would trample over her in the future.

Caleb Ward trembled with rage. In the Ward household, aside from Calvin Ward, he held the most authority. None of his younger siblings dared defy him. His fists were his law.

"Elena, you’ve lost your mind!" Caleb Ward roared. "Lay a finger on me, and I’ll beat you to death!"

To him, Elena would always be that weakling who could be bullied at will.

Thwack!

The pole came down hard on Caleb Ward’s back. Elena swung with all her strength—the force of the pole far exceeded that of a bare fist. Caught off guard, Caleb Ward crashed to the ground.

What followed was like opening Pandora’s box. Elena rained blows on Caleb Ward—his arms, his legs—leaving angry red welts and swollen ridges across his skin.

"You wanted to kill me? Come on then!" Elena shouted between strikes. "Today, one of us dies!"

Caleb Ward scrambled away in terror. It wasn’t that he couldn’t fight back—it was the sheer ferocity in Elena’s eyes that paralyzed him. The murderous glint left no doubt that she would drag him down with her if necessary.

"Help! She’s trying to kill me!" Caleb Ward wailed.

Vanessa Ward had already fled. She had egged her brother on, never expecting Elena to turn so vicious. If anything happened to Caleb Ward, Calvin Ward would skin her alive.

"Murder! Someone help!" Vanessa’s shrieks pierced the night.

When the villagers arrived, they found chaos: Elena, disheveled and gripping the pole; Caleb Ward, bruised and battered; the courtyard in complete disarray.

Mayor Martin Reed rushed over, still in his slippers, and snatched the pole from Elena’s hands. "Girl, give that to me!"

Elena’s body shook violently, her legs nearly giving way, but the neighbor women steadied her.

"Uncle, you have to stand up for me!" Caleb Ward sobbed. "She tried to kill me!"

The Ward family arrived in a frenzy. Agnes Ward threw herself over her son, wailing, while Calvin Ward’s face darkened like a storm cloud.

Agnes lunged at Elena, claws outstretched. "You little witch, how dare you hit my son!" Several women held her back.

"Mrs. Ward, let’s hear the full story first," said Helen Reed, the mayor’s wife, stepping between them. "Violence won’t solve anything."

Agnes Ward screeched, "Look at this! This brat has gone rogue! She needs to be handed over to the police!"

Elena watched the spectacle with cold detachment, a faint smirk curling her lips. She knew—the real battle had only just begun.