Chapter 14
"Waaah—" Richard suddenly burst into loud sobs, snot and tears smearing across his face.
Patricia Stone rushed forward in three quick strides.
She yanked her son up and immediately lunged at Emily Johnson.
"Get inside!" Emily had already braced herself, shielding the children behind her.
Memories of being bullied by boys in her childhood flashed vividly in her mind.
Mrs. Fan had signed her up for martial arts classes without hesitation.
Five years of training had honed her skills.
"How dare you touch my son? I'll tear you apart!"
Emily pivoted sideways, her right leg snapping out like a whip, followed by a sharp straight punch.
David and Tommy huddled behind the doorframe, tiny hands gripping the wood tightly.
This aunt was the meanest.
Every time they went over for meals, she called them little beggars.
Patricia staggered back from the kick, her hand shooting out to grab Emily’s braid.
Village women always went for the hair first in a fight.
But Emily wasn’t about to give her the chance.
Fists and feet rained down, keeping Patricia at bay.
Someone had already run to fetch the village chief.
"Ahh—!" Patricia had never suffered defeat since marrying into the Stone family. The pain only fueled her rage.
With Michael away, who would protect this little wretch?
Emily deliberately held back—just enough to make her suffer.
Judging by the brat’s bullying tactics, he must have tormented David and Tommy often.
She couldn’t take it out on the child, so the mother would pay instead!
Behind every brat was a rotten parent.
Today, she’d deliver justice herself.
That smug look earlier had been downright infuriating.
Left hook, right sweep—each strike aimed for the most painful spots.
Patricia tried to dodge, to fight back, but couldn’t even graze Emily’s clothes.
The two little ones stomped anxiously.
Seeing his mother losing, Richard swung a fist at David.
The kids who’d earlier accepted Emily’s candies swarmed him, pinning him down and pummeling him until he wailed for mercy.
Hearing her son’s cries, Patricia tried to intervene, but Emily tripped her flat.
Harvest season had just ended, and the fields still needed sowing. The villagers were all busy working.
Thanks to Michael, Emily rarely labored in the fields.
"Stop! Stop hitting me! Hit her instead! Hit my mom!" Richard begged through bruised sobs.
Rapid footsteps approached.
"Enough!"
Everyone turned to see a man in his fifties striding over—John Stone Sr., the village chief and Michael’s father.
His roar froze the scene.
Seeing his daughter-in-law picking fights, the chief’s face darkened with fury.
"Disgraceful!"
Villagers who’d come to gawk whispered and pointed.
"Grandpa—" Tommy suddenly wailed, his small finger pointing at David’s bandaged head. "Brother bled so much... so much blood..."