Gavin was heartbroken. When Blake approached, he stared at him with hostility. "I will write a letter of support if you compensate me with 200,000 dollars. Not a penny less!" Blake said."Blake!" Hearing that Blake was still concerned about money, Fenice was livid. "Mom just passed away, and you're still thinking about money?! Have you gone crazy?"Blake snorted. "They did not hit your husband or your son and daughter-in-law! Those who have not experienced the hardships of others should not advise them on goodness!""200,000 dollars, not a penny less!" Blake was furious. If it were not for the sudden death of their mother, he would not have compromised!Fenice sighed. While she understood Blake's difficulties, she felt it was inappropriate to demand money for reconciliation at a time like this. "Fine! 200,000 dollars it is!" Gavin said, "But Uncle Blake, give me two days, as this is not a small sum."Alyssa's death had ironically saved him 100,000 dollars, and he was no long
"It took Eric and Sylvia each contributing 10,000 dollars in funds to get the road repaired! Do you know what Richard did? He actually asked me to return that 20,000 dollars to him!"They even wanted to run over Blake, Eric, and Sylvia with their car for the land compensation. I think they deserve to be in jail!"The reputation of Nutikiville Village has been tarnished by all of you!"Thinking about these issues enraged Hank. Also, Delilah failed to acknowledge Richard's wrongdoings and shifted all the blame onto Blake. How could Hank not be angry?After Hank confronted Delilah, Ruby also became more composed. They needed to obtain documents from the village council, so it wasn't wise to upset Hank. If they required any documents in the future, Hank might intentionally delay them, causing trouble. After all, Hank enjoyed a good reputation in Nutikiville.Upon hearing Hank's words, several women approached Ruby and inquired, "Ruby, did Jared really plan to run over Blake with his c
"Richard!" When Richard returned, Delilah rushed toward him, tears streaming down her face. "You've lost weight!"Her heart ached. It had been two weeks since Richard and the others got arrested.Meanwhile, Ruby wept beside her. Ever since Jared and Kayden were taken away, Ruby lost her appetite and couldn't think of anything else. She relied on Gavin to handle everything. Both families were in despair as if facing a major disaster.Blake and his family observed in silence. Now that Richard was out, Blake didn't have to organize Alyssa's funeral on his own. They gathered and checked if they had notified all the relatives.Blake stayed quiet. Eric and Sylvia didn't participate either. They were waiting for Alyssa's cremation.Regardless of how poorly Alyssa had treated Blake during her life, people died, and debts should be forgiven. As descendants, they had to fulfill their filial duties.-In the evening, Eric and his family returned to the hotel.Blake gathered everyone and s
"Not my car! I just bought my car a year ago, and I usually use it to transport my wife and children. It's bad luck to put ashes in it!" Gavin said.He drove a BMW 5 Series, an expensive luxury car. Having come from a rural background, he was very superstitious and believed it was unlucky to transport ashes in his car.Kayden also chimed in. "Not my car either. I plan to sell my car, and it'll be harder to sell if it's been used to transport ashes!"He was driving a used car he had purchased from a second-hand dealership.The priest gazed at the Johnsons and remarked, "Even if you don't use your own cars, you should have rented one beforehand! Didn't you plan anything?"He grew frustrated at how they handled such minor matters. Richard objected, "What about their cars? Why not offer theirs? Elly's car is worth only a few thousand. Let's use hers!"Blake had mentioned renting a car last night, but Richard and Jared had ignored him. Using Fenice's car never crossed their minds, e
Delilah had raised all those chickens and ducks! "Aunt Delilah!" Eric's voice quivered with anger. "Why did you bring chickens and ducks to my house?""Oh my!" Delilah exclaimed while driving the chickens and ducks away. "You guys are so well-off, settling down in Salt City. This house was empty anyway. The rain wrecked my chicken and duck pens, and I lost a lot of livestock!"What are you waiting for? Help me chase them back!"Sylvia couldn't find her words."What about the stuff in our house?" Although Blake's house wasn't fancy, it served as a place for Eric and Elly when they returned to their hometown."The stuff in the house? It's all junk. I tossed it a while ago!" Delilah replied.Eric's face darkened. If Delilah weren't related to them, he would have cursed her already!"What are you doing? Move aside!" Delilah shouted as Eric blocked her way. She even believed she had not done anything wrong."Elly, call our parents and Mayor Jenkins," Eric instructed.Elly handed
Upon hearing the possibility of imprisonment, Delilah exclaimed, "Why would they send me to jail? Is this such a big deal?"The police officer glanced at Delilah and explained, "Damaging public or private property intentionally, resulting in a loss of more than 500 dollars, is considered intentional destruction of property. It could result in up to three years in prison, detention, or a fine."Delilah was startled but quickly regained her composure. "They have nothing in that house, just a few rundown rooms. It's not a big deal!""I lost my television!" Eric's face darkened. "I bought that TV for over 300 dollars last year!""Suspected of theft of property? That's a serious offense!" The police officer frowned.The situation seemed even more complicated than they had imagined. It was no longer a matter that could be resolved through mediation."Let's go," the police officer told Delilah."G-Go where?" She started to panic.At that moment, neighbors from all around had gathered.
Wherever people gathered, gossip was sure to follow.Some believed that illegal activities funded Eric's extravagant lifestyle and marriage to a beautiful woman.Envious onlookers labeled Sylvia as a harbinger of misfortune for Eric.Following Delilah's arrest, Richard adamantly barred Blake and his family from mourning Alyssa at their home."Why, Richard? Why deny them entry?" Hank exclaimed, frustration evident in his voice. "Delilah raised ducks and chickens and even stole their TV and furniture from Blake's place. Are you expecting him to support her poultry venture? Your mother is gone. Can't you let bygones be bygones?"Richard retorted coldly. "It's their actions that caused my mother's death! If not for them, she'd still be alive."Hank fought the urge to slap Richard.Pointing at him, he continued, "How dare you bring up your mother's death? If you and Jared hadn't conspired to harm Blake, would you both be arrested? Would your mother have suffered that fatal heart atta
On the third morning, people from both the Williams and Sonnex families arrived. Dozens of cars formed a grand procession.Initially, the villagers assumed they were Gavin's friends, but only when they stepped out of the cars did they realize they were actually Eric's friends.After the group buried Alyssa's ashes, the police took Richard, Jared, and Kayden into custody. Despite compensating Blake, they still faced legal consequences for their involvement in the car accidents. Allowing them to attend the funeral and address matters was a gesture of leniency by the authorities.Around noon, after Eric gave Hank another carton of cigarettes, he returned to the city. He had no intention of interfering with Delilah's situation, preferring to let the police handle it.-Back in the city, Sylvia withdrew 30,000 dollars in cash.Blake took out his bank card and checked his account. The total sum amounted to 180,000 dollars, precisely the compensation Gavin and Jared had agreed upon. Out