Chapter 138

Frank Harris hid inside, pretending not to hear the commotion—until news of his brother's failed business reached him. Panicked, he rushed out. He had only wanted to avoid trouble, never expecting such devastating news.

"Brother, you must be joking!" Frank's voice cracked. "Sister-in-law, if you don’t want to pay, just treat it as a loan. Frank is the only heir to our family!"

The old woman exploded at his words. She grabbed Frank's collar, her nails digging into his skin. "You heartless wretch! If anything happens to Frank, who’s going to carry your funeral urn?"

The loan sharks burst into laughter.

"Well, well, what a show today," the leader sneered, cigarette dangling from his lips. "Even we debt collectors have some shame. But you lot? Eating someone else’s food, drinking their wine, and still demanding money with a straight face?"

Frank’s face burned with humiliation. He wished the ground would swallow him whole.

The old man shot his wife a glare before forcing a smile at the loan shark. "Sir, we’ll gather the money. Right now."

"Dad!" Frank stomped his foot in desperation. "Where am I supposed to get that kind of cash?"

Ignoring him, the old man declared, "Your mother and I will put in five hundred. The eldest covers twelve hundred, and the second brother makes up the remaining three hundred."

"Still short a hundred," the loan shark reminded with narrowed eyes.

The old woman jumped up. "No! Those two pigs in the pen—I raised them myself!"

"Then keep them," the loan shark shrugged. "We only take cash."

Little Frank trembled behind his grandmother, tears and snot smeared across his face.

"We’ll pay the rest," Frank suddenly spoke up.

Maya nearly fainted from rage. She dug her nails into her husband’s arm, drawing blood. This idiot! Can’t he see they’re putting on an act?

Finally, the money was gathered. The loan shark took the thick stack of bills, flicked through it with satisfaction, and tossed the IOU into the brazier.

In the flickering firelight, the family’s expressions darkened. The old woman wailed as she clutched her grandson. Frank crouched in the corner, counting the leftover change. The old man stared blankly at the burning debt note.

Only Maya noticed the loan shark’s meaningful glance at Little Frank before leaving.

As the gate slammed shut, Maya’s heart sank. She knew—this wasn’t over.