Chapter 400

"Hurry up! Get those chickens out!" Scarface kicked the chicken coop viciously.

The elderly couple trembled as they opened the coop door, releasing a flurry of panicked hens. The old woman wiped her tears—these were her prized laying hens.

"Quit stalling!" Another thug overturned the coop entirely.

Feathers flew as the chickens scattered. The old man stumbled after them, nearly falling before his wife caught him. Their eyes met, both filled with helpless despair.

"This is a curse..." the old woman muttered under her breath.

If only their worthless son hadn’t brought this upon them. And that wretched Maya—had she not run off, these debt collectors wouldn’t be here now.

"Let’s go to town," the old woman said shakily, pulling herself up. "We’ll ask Jonathan for help."

The aroma of dumplings filled Jonathan Ferguson’s courtyard.

"Dad, try this filling—is it seasoned right?" His eldest daughter held a freshly wrapped dumpling to his lips.

Jonathan took a bite and grinned. "Delicious! No one makes them like you."

His three daughters visited often now, always laden with gifts. Their husbands were just as diligent, fixing the roof, unclogging drains, keeping the house in perfect order.

"Mom, you look pale. Did you stay up again?" The eldest frowned at her mother.

Maya Young waved her off. "Just watched TV too late." She lowered her voice. "Your father’s hooked on that new drama—stays up till midnight every night."

Laughter echoed from inside the house, three generations gathered in warmth. Then—

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The gate shuddered under violent pounding.

"Jonathan! Jonathan, please!" A desperate wail cut through the cozy scene.

The rolling pin clattered from the eldest daughter’s hands. Jonathan’s face darkened. That voice—his good-for-nothing brother, here to beg for money again.

Maya gripped her husband’s arm before he could rise. "Not this time. We can’t give in."

Outside, the pleas grew frantic, mingled with rough male shouts. Their granddaughter buried her face in her mother’s skirt, frightened.

Jonathan drew a slow breath. Three peaceful months—shattered in an instant.