Chapter 31

"Did everyone hear that clearly?" Luna White'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."

Ethan White trembled with rage, jabbing a finger at Luna. "You little brat, are you asking for death?"

"Oh, come now, brother," Luna 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 George Clark nearly laughed aloud. The girl had become sharp-tongued, effortlessly provoking Ethan into a frenzy.

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

Luna’s smile widened, though her eyes remained icy. "Spending my money, yet daring to come here and hit me? Ethan, 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?" Luna 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 Jack 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!"

"Jack White must be rolling in cash!"

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

Whispers spread like wildfire. Jack’s face darkened, while Clara White glared at Amy Miller, the women’s director, her eyes filled with warning.

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

Clara 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?"

Luna’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," Luna met the woman’s eyes squarely. "Were you going to say... I’m not a White by blood?"

The words exploded like a bomb among the onlookers.

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

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

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

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

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

Luna 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, Clara’s face twisted between fury and humiliation...