Chapter 244: The Midday Sun Streamed Through the Window

The midday sun streamed through the window as Elena Ward finished smoothing out the bedding. Just then, a shrill wail erupted from the courtyard.

"Oh dear heavens, I can't take this anymore..."

Elena's brow furrowed—she knew that voice all too well. Sure enough, the next second, Agnes Ward barged in, dragging Vanessa Ward behind her.

Elena barely recognized them. Vanessa, once fresh-faced, now looked gaunt and sickly, her right eye bruised, hair tangled like a bird's nest, clothes filthy. Agnes reeked of sour sweat, her greasy hair practically dripping oil. The moment they entered, they lunged for the bed, but Elena snatched up a broom to block them.

"Sit over there!" She pointed to the bench in the corner.

Agnes froze, then slapped her thigh and wailed, "Elena, your sister's been beaten half to death, and you—"

"Stop right there." Elena sneered. "Who said she's my sister? Didn't your family cut ties with us long ago?"

Her sharp eyes caught the lice crawling in Agnes's hair, and she recoiled in disgust. "And keep your fleas and lice away from our home."

At that, Vanessa immediately let go of Agnes's arm and shuffled aside.

Agnes stomped her foot in fury and turned to Daniel Ward, who had just walked in. "Daniel, you have to stand up for your sister! That bastard Derek Harlan beat Vanessa so badly she lost the baby—"

Daniel sidestepped her coldly. "Spare me the act. Wasn’t this 'wonderful marriage' originally meant for Elena? Now that karma’s biting back, you remember us?"

Elena silently cheered for her brother.

"You—you heartless monsters!" Agnes jabbed a trembling finger at Daniel.

"Compared to how you schemed against Elena, we’re saints." Daniel barked toward the door, "Luke! Aaron! Bring the fire poker!"

Two teenage boys rushed in, one brandishing a broom, the other a fire poker, glaring at the mother-daughter pair.

"Get out!" Daniel snapped. "Come back, and we’ll break your legs!"

Agnes tried to throw a tantrum, but Luke Jackson swiped her leg with the broom, making her yelp in pain. Vanessa, thoroughly humiliated, tugged Agnes toward the exit.

The moment they left, Elena ordered, "Boil water! Scald every inch of that bench!"

When Grace Cooper entered with lunch, the house was buzzing with sanitizing efforts. She sighed. "They came again?"

"Daniel chased them off." Elena handed her a pair of chopsticks. "Next time, just drive them out with force."

Daniel took a bite of his steamed bun and mumbled, "Exactly. People like that only understand one language."

Grace smiled as she refilled her brother’s bowl. "Don’t worry. Our family’s doing well now. They can’t touch us."

Her mind drifted to plans for raising more chickens come spring, saving up to build a proper brick house. The thought made her chuckle.