Chapter 184

William Stone's heart skipped a beat.

"George Jr., did you pick on Tommy again?" His tone was sharp, fearing trouble.

Ever since Michael had helped build their new house, William had been on guard. His younger brother pretended to assist but secretly caused problems—like making William carry the heavier load, nearly tripping him. The worst was when he'd inexplicably tumbled into a sandpile.

Every time Michael came around, William was on edge.

Now that Michael was away, if he returned to hear the kids had caused trouble again, how would they get through the holidays?

"I didn't!" George Jr. lifted his chin stubbornly, tears welling in his eyes. His mother had dragged him here to apologize, and now his father immediately assumed he was the troublemaker.

"Uncle William, George Jr. broke our toy." Tommy held up the shattered Rubik's Cube.

A toy? Who in the village could afford toys? Most kids were happy just playing with marbles.

"Emily, kids don’t always know better..." William forced a smile, hoping she wouldn’t make a fuss.

"You're educated, William. You should know that mistakes require apologies." Emily's words left him speechless.

"Apologize now!" William barked, raising a hand as if to strike.

Patricia wanted to intervene but remembered the five dollars and stayed silent.

"I'm sorry..." George Jr. sobbed before running back to his room, his cries muffled through the door.

Emily watched the couple coldly. "Out of respect for your brother, I won’t ask for compensation this time. But if it happens again, you’ll pay for every penny. Teach your child not to snatch things."

Their faces turned ashen.

"It's getting late. Let’s go." Emily led the children away.

The moment they left, William’s expression darkened. "That Emily has picked up Michael’s bad habits—she doesn’t respect us at all!"

"And George Jr.! If he can’t play nice, he breaks things. Everything in Michael’s house is treated like gold!"

On the way home, the children chattered. "Aunt Emily, aren’t they paying for it?"

"Let me see if I can fix it." Emily took the broken pieces. "Go finish your homework. If I repair it, David will bring it to you later."

Back home, she sent the kids to study while carefully reassembling the Rubik's Cube. To her surprise, the material was durable, and she managed to restore it.

"It’s fixed, but next time it might not be salvageable." She handed the intact toy to the children.

"Mom, you’re amazing!" The two cheered.

Night fell, and thick snowflakes drifted down. By morning, the world outside was blanketed in white.