Chapter 31: Elena Ward's Lips Curled into a Cold Smile

"Did everyone hear that clearly?" Elena Ward's lips curled into a cold smile as her gaze swept over the gathered villagers. "My dear brother here wasn’t standing up for Lisa at all—he was just furious because I exposed his true intentions. Too bad for him, I won’t stand there and take a beating this time."

Daniel Ward trembled with rage, jabbing a finger at Elena. "You little brat, are you asking for death?"

"Oh, come now, brother," Elena feigned surprise, blinking innocently. "Didn’t you say it yourself? You told me to try hitting you if I dared. I was just following orders." She turned to the crowd, her voice crisp. "Uncles and aunties, tell me—have you ever heard such a strange request before?"

Mayor Martin Reed nearly laughed aloud. The girl had become sharp-tongued, effortlessly provoking Daniel into a frenzy.

"Bullshit!" Daniel roared. "You were trying to kill me!"

Elena’s smile widened, though her eyes remained icy. "Spending my money, yet daring to come here and hit me? Daniel, do you really think I’m a fool?" Her voice suddenly sharpened. "My brother and sister send nineteen dollars every month—enough for fine flour every meal. But what do I get? Dishwater!"

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

"Where did the rest of the money go?" Elena pressed forward relentlessly. "You’re about to get married. The Wilsons demand a dowry of two hundred dollars, plus three modern appliances. Didn’t Uncle Calvin say the family was poor? Where did this money come from?"

"Good heavens!" a villager gasped. "That dowry’s richer than a city girl’s!"

"Calvin Ward must be rolling in cash!"

"Of course he is—it’s not his money he’s spending!"

Whispers spread like wildfire. Calvin’s face darkened, while Agnes Ward glared at Amy Miller, the women’s director, her eyes filled with warning.

Tears welling, Amy stepped forward. "Elena, dear... there’s something I must tell you—"

Agnes seized her wrist. "Amy! Think carefully. Speaking up won’t benefit anyone!" she hissed. "This girl has a temper. Who knows what she’ll do if she finds out?"

Elena’s heart pounded. So that was it! No wonder, in her past life, Amy had slipped her money the night before her wedding, whispering, "It’s my fault you’re suffering."

"Aunt Amy," Elena met the woman’s eyes squarely. "Were you going to say... I’m not a Ward by blood?"

The words exploded like a bomb among the onlookers.

Agnes paled. "Nonsense! You’re our flesh and blood!"

Amy flinched. "Elena, I—I don’t know anything—"

"Then why are you afraid to speak?" Elena challenged.

Silence fell. Every breath was held, waiting for the next act of this unfolding drama.

Agnes abruptly changed tactics. "Elena, your brother was wrong today. But you are a Ward! If you weren’t, would your siblings send money every month?"

Elena scoffed. To hide the truth, the old woman would even say that.

"Fine," she countered smoothly. "If we’re family, then return what’s mine. Twenty dollars—for food and supplies. Grandma, surely you won’t claim to be broke?"

Under the weight of the villagers’ stares, Agnes’s face twisted between fury and humiliation...