Chapter 116

"David, he called us names!" Tommy's face flushed crimson with anger, tiny fists clenched as he prepared to charge forward.

David grabbed his little brother's collar, a sly grin curling his lips. "Mom made meat pies for lunch today."

"Meat pies?" The surrounding children immediately perked up, eyes gleaming.

Tommy instantly caught on, puffing out his chest with childish pride. "They're super yummy! And Mom left a big piece of meat in the kitchen!"

"Tommy!" David feigned annoyance, glaring at him. "We agreed not to tell anyone!"

The little boy clapped both hands over his mouth, blinking wide innocent eyes—a look so disarming it could melt hearts.

"Our grandma sent us lots of special treats that none of you have," David added leisurely, twisting the knife. "Plus new clothes. Really nice ones."

The children exchanged glances, envy plain in their eyes.

"Come on, Tommy. Let's play over there." David tugged his brother away, but not before casting a deliberate glance at the name-calling boy.

Within moments, David pulled several cookies from his pocket, distributing them to the trailing group.

Crunch—

"So crispy!"

"Delicious!"

Amidst the chorus of admiration, the ostracized boy finally cracked. With a loud wail, he turned and ran off crying.

David narrowed his eyes, smirking like a fox who'd stolen the cream.

They used to solve problems with fists. Now he'd learned—sometimes a cookie worked better than a punch.

"Remember, if you take my cookies, you don't play with Iron anymore."

"No playing with Iron!"

"Never!"

The children chanted in unison, oblivious to the cunning glint in David's eyes.

Meanwhile, tension thickened at the construction site.

"Michael!" Samuel rushed over, sweat beading on his forehead. "Charles is in trouble!"

The brick in Michael's hand thudded to the ground, kicking up dust.

The three men moved to a secluded spot where Samuel lowered his voice. "His fiancée's family suddenly demanded two hundred for the bride price—plus the Three Turns and One Sound!"

"What?" Daniel nearly jumped. "Are they insane?"

An average rural bride price barely reached one hundred. The Three Turns package totaled nearly a thousand!

"What did his girl say?" Michael asked grimly.

Samuel gave a bitter laugh. "She said once a daughter's married, she's spilled water—no say in family matters."

Michael's eyes narrowed. Charles had mentioned the girl was plain. Why would her family dare demand so much?

Unless...

"Someone leaked information," he said coldly. "Find out who's pulling strings behind this."