Chapter 49: Elena Ward Hurriedly Led the Crowd Inside

Elena Ward hurriedly led the crowd inside. "Mayor, Security Chief, uncles and aunts—come quick! It's Grandma!" Her voice trembled with tears.

The moment the group entered, Calvin Ward shot his wife, Amy, a venomous glare. Useless woman! He quickly pushed his way into the room.

His own mother was sick—how could the "filial son" not be present?

Mayor Martin Reed took one look at Agnes Ward’s twisted mouth and drooping eye, and his brow furrowed. Strokes were rare in the village, but he’d seen enough bedridden elders to recognize the signs. The old woman was most likely paralyzed.

"Calvin, get her to the hospital! Any delay could be fatal!" Martin set aside their past grudges—saving a life came first.

Calvin shoved his way to the bed, only to recoil at the sight of his mother. He shook her roughly. "Mom? Mom, wake up!" Wasn’t this supposed to be an act?

Agnes rolled limply to the side, her fingers curled like claws. The blanket shifted, releasing a pungent stench of urine. The crowd gagged and backed away.

Martin clenched his jaw. "I’ll fetch the tractor. Get her ready." He strode out without another word.

The others scrambled after him, eager to escape the foul air.

Panicked, Calvin barked at Elena, "Change your grandmother’s clothes!"—then tried to slip out himself.

Elena yanked him back. "Uncle, maybe Aunt Amy should do it. Grandma’s things are locked up—I wouldn’t dare touch them." Oh no, you don’t.

Calvin’s eyes gleamed. Right—the old woman’s savings are still in that chest! He forced a greasy smile. "Then go call your aunt."

The fakeness of it made Elena’s stomach turn.

Amy was still fuming in the yard, baffled by Derek Harlan’s sudden support for Elena over her own family.

"Aunt, Uncle wants you to change Grandma’s clothes," Elena said flatly before walking off.

Amy cursed under her breath as she entered—then let out a shrill wail. "Mama! What’s happened to you?!"

Elena ignored her and turned to leave.

"L-Elena..." Derek stammered, his legs shaking.

She glanced back coldly. "What?"

He flinched. "I—I—"

"Elena! Help me!" Amy shrieked from inside.

Elena narrowed her eyes. Already disgusted by her? She’d love to see how this family planned to "care" for the old woman.

Seizing the chance, Derek shouted toward the house, "Vanessa! Come tend to Grandma!" then grinned obsequiously at Elena.

Martin returned with the tractor. "Calvin, hurry!" Spotting Elena, he frowned. "Vanessa and Elena stay here. Brandon and David can help carry her."

The crowd murmured agreement.

Brandon and David pinched their noses as they entered, nearly retching at the stench.

Amy muttered while changing Agnes’s soiled clothes, "How did she just collapse? What do we do now?"

Calvin seized the moment to pocket his mother’s hidden savings, hissing, "Shut up! The whole village is watching!"

Perfect chance to salvage my reputation, he thought.