Chapter 225

"Mom, please help me out here!" Thomas Bright rubbed his hands together, grinning obsequiously at Grandma Bright. "Amy's already eighteen. If she doesn't marry soon, she'll be considered an old maid."

Grandma Bright lifted her clouded eyes and gave her youngest son a cold stare. "What did we agree upon during the division of the family? Amy's affairs are none of your concern."

Thomas stomped his foot in frustration. "Samuel can barely take care of himself—how would he know how to find a suitable match for his sister? We've already picked out a good family for her. The groom even has a job in town!"

"Hmph," Grandma Bright scoffed. "This old woman isn't dead yet, and you're already scheming behind my back? Do you want me to report you to the commune for filial disobedience?"

Amy Bright stormed out of the house, her face flushed with anger. "Uncle, my brother will be back soon. Stop plotting against me!"

Thomas's expression darkened. "You ungrateful girl! Opportunities like this don't come twice!"

"It's not your decision to make!" Amy clenched her fists. "If you don't leave now, I'll call the brigade leader!"

At the mention of the brigade leader, Thomas visibly flinched. He shot Amy a venomous glare. "Stubborn fool!" With that, he turned on his heel and stormed off.

The gate slammed shut behind him, and Amy exhaled in relief.

"Grandma, don't worry," she said, helping the old woman back inside. "Samuel will be home soon."

Grandma Bright frowned. "Your uncle won't give up so easily. Go talk to Emily Johnson—she always has good ideas."

Amy nodded and headed to the stove to start cooking. Smoke curled from the chimney, but it did nothing to dispel the unease in her heart.

"Well? Did the girl agree?" Nancy Bright eagerly intercepted her husband as he returned.

Thomas kicked over a stool. "The brat refused outright! And the old woman backed her up!"

"What?" Nancy shrieked. "After all these years of feeding and clothing them, they dare defy us now?"

Thomas's face darkened. "We need to act fast. Once Samuel returns, it'll be too late."

"Tomorrow," Nancy hissed, her eyes glinting maliciously. "When she goes to the river to wash clothes..."

Thomas hesitated. "What if someone sees us?"

"So what?" Nancy sneered. "Once it's done, she'll have no choice but to marry. And the dowry money will be ours..."

Thinking of the funds needed for their own son's wedding, Thomas finally nodded. "We'll go first thing in the morning."

Outside, the wind howled, as if heralding the storm to come.