Chapter 48

The moment Frank Harris heard the footsteps of Clara White and the others leaving, a sinister grin spread across his face. He strode to the bed and roughly pressed his coarse palm against Maya White’s bare shoulder.

"Ah! What are you doing?" Maya shrank back in terror, the blanket slipping to reveal her pale skin.

"Stop pretending," Frank sneered, his eyes roaming shamelessly over her. "The whole village saw you lying naked with me."

Maya trembled with fury. "Frank Harris! You promised it would be Luna! You set me up!"

Frank leisurely buttoned his shirt. "You wanted to trap Luna, but you ended up trapping yourself. Whose fault is that?" He suddenly grabbed her chin. "If you hadn’t tried to scheme against her, I wouldn’t have suffered like this!"

Tears welled in Maya’s eyes as his grip tightened painfully.

"Now the whole village knows you’re mine," Frank hissed, leaning closer. "Either marry me quietly, or—" His fingers dug in harder. "—die."

Maya gasped for air, frantically slapping at his arm. Frank finally released her with a cruel smirk. "Think carefully. Who else would want a used woman like you?"

Outside, Clara’s voice called for him. Frank straightened his collar and stepped out.

The yard was crowded with villagers. Clara immediately rushed to him. "Frank, was Luna in that room just now?"

Mayor George Clark frowned. "Clara, what are you implying?"

"I—I was just asking..." Clara forced a nervous laugh, shooting Frank desperate looks.

Frank lowered his head but spoke clearly. "Mom, don’t make me lie. Luna was never in that room. It was always Maya..."

"You’re lying!" Clara stamped her foot in frustration.

Just then, Jack White arrived with his sons, taking in the scene with feigned surprise. "What’s going on here?"

Mayor Clark snorted. "Jack, your family’s schemes grow bolder by the day! Plotting against your own niece!"

Suddenly, Frank dropped to his knees. "Mayor, it’s my fault! Uncle Jack and Aunt Clara never told me to lie. I was just... tempted by greed."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Clara turned deathly pale, swaying on her feet.

At the back of the crowd, Luna White watched with a cold smile.

The show was finally over.