Chapter 397

Clara White sat cross-legged on the kang, listening to the commotion outside with a cold smirk.

She had finally seen through it all—her second son's family was rotten to the core. Like father, like son. The couple was despicable, and their children were no better.

How had she ever been blind enough to think they were the most filial?

The old woman stubbornly refused to leave, her heart boiling with resentment. She felt no guilt toward Luna—after all, she wasn’t her real granddaughter. But thinking of Ethan, Iris, and the others, a twinge of remorse pricked at her.

She couldn’t bring herself to live with Ethan’s family. Pride and bitterness kept her rooted here. After pouring her heart out for her youngest son all these years, only to end up like this—who could accept it?

No, she would stay and watch. She’d see what became of this wretched family.

Besides, they owed her. Every penny she’d squeezed from her eldest son had gone to them. Now they wanted to cast her aside? Not a chance.

The angrier she grew, the more satisfaction she took from the chaos outside.

Meanwhile, Frank Harris returned to the village, covered in dust and grime.

Before he even reached his doorstep, he spotted a crowd gathered outside his courtyard, gawking at the spectacle. Fury erupted in his chest. "What the hell are you all staring at? Got nothing better to do? Scram! Get the hell out of here!"

Lately, nothing had gone his way, and his temper was a lit fuse.

The moment he stepped into the yard, his legs nearly gave out. The loan sharks were waiting.

The place was a wreck—tables, chairs, everything smashed to pieces. His parents and grandparents cowered in a corner, trembling.

Frank instantly plastered on a servile grin. He was all bark with the weak, but against these thugs, he was spineless.

"Boss, please, just calm down. I’ll get that bitch back, I swear. Give me a few more days—"

"Shut your damn mouth!" The leader of the gang waved a hand. "Teach him what happens when you don’t pay your debts!"

Seven or eight men surged forward, fists and boots flying.

Frank howled in pain.

His grandparents and parents wrung their hands in distress, but the glint of metal rods kept them rooted in place.

The old woman wiped her tears, helpless as she watched her precious grandson take the beating.