William glared. “He wouldn’t dare!”
Unable to protect his wife and child, Chris was worthless in William’s eyes. But he had always been frustrated with Elizabeth, who constantly defended the Whitaker family. The gossip about Scarlett had reached even William. Could Chris, who is working in a neighboring town, really not know? The Whitaker brothers were all built like bulls—if they had stood up for Scarlett, who would have dared to spread such malicious rumors?
Letting the gossip spread across the villages and ruin Scarlett’s reputation, so much so that a young girl ended up injured—it was infuriating.
Living with the Whitaker family was clearly a dead end.
William pushed past Mrs. Whitaker at the door.
“Go pack your things. I’ll take care of this today. Forget the old house by the riverbank—you’re coming home with me!”
Moving to William’s house and returning to the Whitaker home were two entirely different things.
Elizabeth’s legs felt weak, but Scarlett was practically bouncing with joy. She didn’t plan to stay long at her uncle’s house, but it was the perfect base for her business plans. The villagers in Larkspur would never sell Scarlett eggs willingly.
Elizabeth didn’t dare move, so William told Scarlett to pack instead.
Aunt Veronica screeched from the side, her voice sharp and grating.
“Scarlett’s uncle, you’re being too harsh! Do you really want to tear this family apart? Can you support them for the rest of their lives?”
It was rare for a girl’s maternal family to escalate conflicts rather than mediate.
Scarlett could leave, but Elizabeth was the family’s workhorse. Without her, Aunt Veronica would have to do her chores, and the thought was unbearable.
Elizabeth trembled violently.
She knew William was serious this time. Her mind was a mess—part of her felt her family would fall apart if she followed her brother’s plan, but another part resented Chris. Even her brother was standing up for Scarlett, yet her own father hadn’t returned. How could she not feel bitterness? But years of weakness had silenced her voice.
Scarlett sneered. “Aunt Veronica, my uncle may not support me for life, but will you? Tell your daughter to return my clothes—I’ll take them with me.”
Aunt Veronica instantly fell silent.
With no men standing up for the Whitaker family, none of them dared challenge William. Scarlett, full of energy, stormed into her room. A pair of shoes under the bed wasn’t hers… Helen had already moved in after just one night! The wooden chest by the bed held all of Scarlett’s belongings. Its sturdy iron lock was secured with a key Scarlett wore around her neck. She hadn’t expected to still have a chance to take it.
Scarlett struggled to carry the chest outside.
Elizabeth didn’t dare pack her things, years of Mrs. Whitaker’s oppression deeply ingrained in her.
William, not being a Whitaker, knew storming into the house to take items would escalate the situation.
But Scarlett? She wasn’t afraid. Ignoring Mrs. Whitaker’s dark, scowling face, Scarlett went back inside and packed Elizabeth’s clothes as well. Elizabeth didn’t own much—just a few ragged pieces of clothing. William frowned at the sight of them.
“Uncle, we still have some grain stored at the old house,” Scarlett said.
William waved a large hand.
“Take it all. I brought my bike today.”
Indeed, a shiny new 28-inch bicycle leaned against the wall. A bike like that cost over 200 dollars. As a head mason, William earned 2 dollars a day. Scarlett wondered if her uncle had struck it rich.
