Chapter 99: Calvin Ward Froze in His Tracks

Calvin Ward froze in his tracks as Vanessa's words stabbed through him like a knife. The family's meager savings had already been drained by this wretched girl, and the police station didn’t believe a cent of the old woman’s money had ended up in their hands.

Medical bills had cost over two hundred, and the fines another hundred. Now, only two hundred remained in his pocket. He’d sent a telegram to Daniel earlier—even if he couldn’t squeeze four or five hundred out of him, surely a hundred or two would come through.

Then there was Vanessa. Marrying her off would bring in another two hundred in dowry.

Crunching the numbers, he could scrape together five or six hundred—just enough to arrange a wife for Caleb Ward, though the dowry would have to be downgraded. Times weren’t what they used to be.

But Calvin had another thought—Noah Ward wasn’t married yet. He couldn’t pour everything into Caleb Ward.

"Noah Ward!" Calvin’s eyes gleamed with calculation. "Lock Vanessa in her room and nail the windows shut! Don’t let her out until the wedding day. This girl’s grown too bold—today she steals, tomorrow she’ll run. And when you can’t afford wives, don’t blame me!"

He wasn’t stupid. Vanessa had been caught in town—clearly trying to flee with the money. If she hadn’t been arrested, she’d have vanished without a trace.

He knew she hated the match with Derek Harlan. What decent family would Agnes have found for Elena? But right now, who else could he marry off but Vanessa?

Her reputation was ruined. If not Derek, then who? At least she’d fetch two hundred.

Without hesitation, Noah Ward and Caleb Ward dragged Vanessa into the room. Wooden planks hammered against the window frame—this time, she wouldn’t escape.

Vera Ward stormed out of the house, clutching a pair of soaked pants reeking of urine. The stench made everyone cover their noses.

"Pissing herself again! How can anyone live in this filth? What girl would marry into this stinking hovel?"

Calvin was still pondering what to do with the old woman when Vera Ward flung the pants into a corner, her face twisted in disgust.

"Why not move her into Elena’s old room? This place needs a proper cleaning—who could live here otherwise? Besides, the old hag’s already half-gone..."

Calvin’s eyes lit up, but he feigned hesitation. "Do what you think is best. Just make sure she’s taken care of. Wait a couple of days before moving her—let’s clean the other room first."

Vera Ward smirked. She knew exactly what he meant.

By afternoon, villagers came to see Agnes, only to find her slurring and immobile. They assumed she was paralyzed. A few muttered condolences before leaving—every family had their sick elders. This was Calvin’s karma.

Before nightfall, Vera Ward and Calvin carried Agnes to a ramshackle shed beside the pigpen. They tossed her onto a mildewed quilt and left without another word.

Agnes lay stiff under Elena’s old blanket, the stench of rot clinging to it.

She couldn’t understand how karma had struck so fast. She’d abandoned Elena here—now it was her turn. Heaven wouldn’t answer her cries; the earth wouldn’t heed her pleas.

No food at noon. At dusk, Vera Ward brought half a bowl of cornmeal porridge, set it on the edge of the bed, and walked away.

The pigpen reeked, but Agnes had no choice. She struggled toward the bowl, her hands shaking too badly to hold it. As she leaned forward, she toppled to the ground. The bowl shattered, porridge spilling everywhere.

The old woman wailed on the dirt floor.

A lifetime of scheming, all for the sake of being cared for in old age. Her eldest son was gone—she’d poured everything into Calvin. Food, clothes, every scrap went to his family. She’d crushed Daniel and the others without remorse, all for security in her twilight years.

Calvin had always sweet-talked her, coaxing out every last penny. Now that she was helpless, he’d turned on her.

Just days—and already he’d left her here to die.

If no one found her, starvation would finish the job.

Agnes gnashed her teeth in fury, but she couldn’t even crawl. No one would hear her screams.

For the first time, she truly regretted it.