Chapter 5

Jack White's heart skipped a beat. Luna's words were practically pushing them into the fire.

If the whole village found out about this, wouldn’t they be pointing fingers and cursing them behind their backs?

He quickly stepped forward. "Luna, I swear I had no idea about this! I never saw a single cent of that money. You can’t accuse me like this!" With her older siblings gone, he could spin any lie he wanted.

Luna's lips curled slightly. "You didn’t take the money? Of course I believe you. In that case, someone must have been stealing it. My brother told me he sent the money through the post office every month. I’m going to the mayor to find out which greedy postal worker dared to embezzle our family’s money!"

She counted on her fingers. "From age 14 to 18—four whole years. That’s at least a thousand dollars, enough to build a house!"

Jack’s face turned pale.

This girl was determined to make a scene!

Luna wiped her tears and turned to the villagers. "Uncles, aunts, you have to stand up for me! My brother and sister worked so hard to send money home, and some thief took it all. Because of that, I’ve gone hungry, shivered in the cold, and never had a single new piece of clothing."

She pointed at her patched-up dress. "Look at this—it was made when my parents were still alive. It doesn’t even fit anymore. I’ve had to sew scraps together just to cover myself."

The villagers murmured among themselves, their gazes shifting toward Jack with suspicion.

Luna made a show of turning to leave. "I’m going straight to the mayor. That thief is going to jail!"

Jack lunged to stop her.

If this got investigated, the post office withdrawal slips would show their signatures!

He shot Clara a desperate look.

The old woman stomped her foot. "You stupid girl, stop lying! I took the money!"

The crowd erupted.

Just moments ago, she’d been bragging about how difficult it was to raise her granddaughter—now she was admitting to stealing her living expenses?

Luna pretended to be shocked. "Oh! So you took the money? You should’ve said so earlier—I almost blamed an innocent person."

She timidly held out her hand. "Then… since I need to see a doctor now, it’s only fair you give me some money, right? After all, it’s my siblings’ hard-earned cash."

Only then did the villagers notice the huge bump on Luna’s head and the bruises covering her body. They immediately started scolding Clara.

"Aunt Clara, are you trying to beat this child to death?"

"Take her to a doctor now, before it’s too late!"

Clara scoffed. "Country kids aren’t that fragile! She’ll be fine after resting a couple of days!"

Luna suddenly swayed, and Aunt Laura caught her.

"Oh my! This child is burning up with fever!" Laura gasped.

Jack knew he had to act fast.

"Mother! Why didn’t you say anything sooner?" he feigned distress. "Quick, give me two dollars—I’ll take Luna to the doctor."

Clara reluctantly dug out the money, but before she could hand it over, Luna snatched it from her grasp.

"Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Uncle." Luna clenched the bills tightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.