Chapter 3

I scoffed in anger. "You're accusing me of ruining the well? The rainstorm went on for three days, but no one even bothered to get a cover for the well. That's how the mud and silt got in. The water got contaminated because nobody bothered to maintain the well during the storm. It has nothing to do with the construction work."

I repeated my explanation once more.

But Madam Mitchell simply jutted her chin out and screeched back at me, "Stop using the rain as your excuse! The rain hit the neighboring village too, so why is it that their well is perfectly fine, huh? You must've embezzled the money for the well and bought shoddy pipes!

"And don't forget that you charged every household 20 dollars when you dug that well! There are over 100 households here, so that's over 2,000 dollars! Don't you dare swear to me that you didn't pocket any of that money!"

Her words got the crowd going, and they all started lashing out at me, shouting their heads off about the 20 dollars.

"She's right! I paid 20 dollars!"

"So did I!"

"Give it back! Give us back our hard-earned money!"

They all pointed at my face and cursed me out, their spit almost hitting me.

Three years ago, I hired the best construction crew in Sunshire to set up that well. They used the best pipes on the market, which had been certified to be thick and durable. The total cost for the entire water infrastructure came out to precisely 86,500 dollars.

I paid for everything out of my own pocket.

But to ensure that the villagers didn't take the water for granted because of how little they had to do to get it, I collected 20 dollars from each household just for symbolic purposes. I set aside their money for future maintenance costs.

Even though there were over 100 households in the village, the amount I collected only came out to 2,400 dollars. That wasn't even enough to pay for the water pump the crew installed.

Grandpa was shaking with rage. He pulled free from my grip and strode to the front. Pointing a trembling finger at Madam Mitchell, he shouted, "Have you no conscience?" My grandson paid more than 80,000 dollars out of his own pocket to build that well! He never took an extra cent from any of you!

"But now, you're accusing him of embezzling your money and ruining the well? How could anyone be as ungrateful as you lot?"

Grandpa's voice was loud, but it was soon drowned out by the curses from the crowd.

Derek Walters, another one of the villagers, pushed his way to the crowd. With his hands on his hips, he called out sarcastically, "Now, now, Mr. Sherman Senior, don't even try to cover for your grandson. 80,000 dollars? You've got to be kidding me!

"He's just a greenhorn fresh out of college. Where would he have that kind of money? He must've run off into the city with our money and seduced some wealthy woman to sponge off her!

"Now that the well is ruined, he must take full responsibility for that! We'll only drop this matter if he hands over 100,000 dollars."

100,000 dollars, huh?

They'd even settled on the price already.

I pulled Grandpa behind me. Shielding him with my body, I eyed the familiar faces before me.

When I was still young, I did receive a thing or two from these people. Madam Mitchell gave me a dinner roll once. Mr. Walters gave me an old coat.

I remembered these acts, so once I'd made something of myself, I'd done my best to repay the villagers.

But now, these familiar faces were sporting nasty, twisted expressions. They looked like a swarm of leeches that had caught the scent of blood.

"Fine." I nodded. "Since you're all so fixated on the numbers, let's settle this matter once and for all, right here in front of everyone."

I got my phone out and made a call. It rang three times before it connected.

"Ms. Shore." I'd called Erica Shore, the village council president.

The cursing from the villagers quietened down a bit.

"Oh, hi, Fred. Are you back in the village?"

Ms. Shore's voice sounded a bit awkward. Clearly, she knew what was going on, but she'd chosen to just stay out of it.

"I'm standing outside my grandpa's house right now." My gaze swept over Madam Mitchell and Mr. Walters. "Kindly bring over all the documentation and financial records for the well I built back then, along with all the invoices. Oh, and don't forget the ledger for the 2,400 dollars I collected from the villagers. Do it now."

My tone was firm, making it clear this wasn't up for discussion.

Ms. Shore stiffened. "Well… the sun hasn't even risen yet, and—"

"If you don't come over now, I'll have no choice but to call the police." I cut her off bluntly. "I'll report these people for trespassing, disturbing the peace, and willful destruction of private property. Considering the damage to Grandpa's house, they'll probably have to spend a few months behind bars."

Ms. Shore was silent for five seconds before saying, "I'll be right there."

I ended the call and looked at Madam Mitchell once more.

"Today, we're going to settle this account once and for all."