Chapter 1

Uncle Barron's hesitant, stammering voice came from the other end of the line.

"Elden… J-Just cut us some slack, okay? Your aunt is young and doesn't know better… So you can just pay, and I-I'll get it back for you."

His voice sounded weak and lacked conviction.

Before I, Elden Huff, could answer, his much-younger wife, Hilda Ross, who'd been listening in nearby, snatched the phone away and started cursing at him over the line.

"Cut us slack? Get back what? You're trash, Barron! Do you have a death wish?"

"Stop the act, both of you. I run the house now, and today, not a single penny is getting knocked off."

With that, she hung up with a sharp snap.

Holding my phone, I stared at her, a woman barely my age, and found it all utterly absurd.

My girlfriend, Mildred McClure, tugged on my sleeve and whispered, "Elden… Maybe we should just call the police?"

Hilda heard her and let out a short, mocking laugh. Then, she suddenly pulled out her phone from her pocket, set up a tripod with practiced ease, and adjusted the angle.

The screen lit up, and a livestream interface popped up. She began streaming live and even chose a particularly glaring title.

"You Won't Believe This! CEO Allegedly Refuses to Pay Tab in Impoverished Hometown Village!"

Her whole demeanor shifted the second she turned to face the camera. Gone was the arrogant, foul-mouthed bully, and in her place was a wounded, trembling victim.

"Guys, tell me if I'm wrong! I kindly entertained my family from the city by bringing out the best we have. And after eating to their full, they're trying to skip out on the bill!"

She abruptly swung the camera toward Mildred and me.

Immediately, dense streams of comments flooded the screen.

"No way. This guy looks decently dressed, so why is he doing such a thing?"

"The woman next to him isn't any good either. She looks guilty as hell."

"Don't cry, Hilda. We're here for you! Show their faces and let the world roast them!"

Mildred had never dealt with anything like this. Her face burned red with rage, and she was ready to rush forward and argue with Hilda, but I held her back.

I knew that saying anything now would be useless. Any explanation we gave would just get twisted into an excuse.

Sure enough, Hilda's dramatic performance escalated when we remained silent. She pointed at Mildred and tearfully complained to the thousands of livestream viewers.

"It was her! Look, everyone; she's sticky-fingered!

"While I wasn't paying attention, she sneaked into my garden and stole my gene-modified tomatoes!

"I worked so hard to import those seeds from abroad. The tomatoes were meant for our top donor when they ripened, but now she's ruined everything!"

She grew increasingly agitated as she spoke. In the end, she marched right up to Mildred and shoved the camera in her face.

"Now, apologize to my viewers in the livestream for stealing!"

Mildred's eyes were red-rimmed as she shook with anger. "I didn't steal! You said we could pick some ourselves!"

"Oh! The liar's doubling down!" Hilda shrieked as her voice rose sharply. "Did I say you could pick them? When have I ever said that?

"I've seen plenty of women like you, who love taking advantage of other people!"

Just then, hurried footsteps pounded up the yard before Barron burst in.

His face paled at the sight of the tense confrontation. Clearly, he hadn't expected things to escalate to this point.

Mildred rushed toward him as if she'd spot her savior. "Barron, please testify! Hilda said it was fine to pick the tomatoes, didn't she?"

Barron opened his mouth, but his eyes darted away to avoid her gaze. It was obvious he was terrified of Hilda, his wife, who was younger than him by 20 years.

Meekly inching over, he tugged on her sleeve. "Let's not do this, Hilda… We're all family…"

She whipped around like a cat with its tail stepped on. After violently shaking off his hand, she shrieked, "Family? No one's family here! Since when does family get to eat for free and steal from me?"

She jabbed a finger at Barron's nose and continued lashing out, "I'm telling you—say one more word for them, and you're sleeping in the pigsty tonight!"

Barron shuddered from her yelling. All the fight drained out of him.

He shrank his neck, not daring to speak another word on our behalf. Then, he turned to me and looked deeply troubled.

"I'm begging you, Elden… Just give in and pay.

"If she loses face in the livestream, s-she's going to ruin our family's reputation!"