Chapter 484

As the courtyard gate swung open, Ryan Wallace spotted two shifty-eyed men shoving money into his sister-in-law's hands.

"What the hell are you doing?" he barked.

The men startled, hastily hiding the cash behind their backs. His sister-in-law hurried forward with baby Jinbao in her arms, relief washing over her face. "Brother Ryan, they're here to buy the pigs. Said it's a shame to waste dead livestock—offering twenty per head. Forty pigs would get us eight hundred..."

Ryan sneered. Just like his spineless younger brother, this woman had no backbone.

"What's your game?" His gaze turned razor-sharp.

One man rubbed his hands obsequiously. "No games, sir! We're just helping out. Such a waste otherwise—"

"These are diseased!" Ryan bit out each word.

The men exchanged glances. "Nonsense! Just common cold—"

"Bullshit!" Ryan grabbed a broom from the corner and swung. "You'd profit from poison? Want blood on your hands?"

The broom whooshed through the air, sending the pair scrambling to the gate.

"Let's talk this through! We can raise the price—"

"Out!" Another swing. "The Wallaces would rather starve than deal with vultures like you!"

Dodging frantically, they upped their offer. "Twenty-two! Twenty-two per head!"

Ryan snatched a shovel. "Next swing breaks legs!"

Seeing his determination, the profiteers finally fled, cursing under their breath. The sister-in-law stood frozen, clutching her child.

Ryan planted the shovel firmly and glared. "Next time, chase them off with a stick. Understood?"

She shrank back. "Y-yes, Brother Ryan."

Outside, the merchants' grumbles faded.

"Who does he think he is?"

"Just wait—they'll come begging soon enough!"

Alone in the yard, Ryan stared at the pigpen. Forty carcasses rotted in the summer heat, stench thick enough to taste.

The loss would hurt. But Ryan Wallace would sooner lose everything than sell his soul.

Thunder rumbled as storm clouds gathered overhead.