Chapter 81

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Anyone watching this would think you're selling off a daughter!" Michael Stone crossed his legs and deliberately drawled his words. "Not like my wife's family—they refused the dowry outright. If I hadn't forced it on them, people would've thought I was the one marrying into her family!"

He smirked, rocking his head smugly. "All these years, her parents keep sending money and food. My life’s been so hard, tsk tsk..."

Elizabeth Stone clenched the hem of her shirt, while William kept his head down, not daring to make a sound. Both thought the same thing: Why does Michael always say the worst possible thing at the worst possible time?

"Shut your mouth!" John Stone Sr. shot a glare at Patricia before turning to his youngest son with a resigned shake of his head.

Patricia stomped her foot in frustration but was yanked back by her husband. She wanted to storm off, but the thought of the upcoming property division kept her rooted in place.

"About the three hundred dollars..." John cleared his throat. "I plan to split it three ways—"

"Dad!" Michael cut in. "It should be four shares!" He nudged his brothers. "Right, Robert? William?"

Robert and William exchanged uneasy glances before mumbling, "F-four shares..."

Patricia nearly erupted, but William clapped a hand over her mouth just in time.

John saw right through it. His elder sons hadn’t even considered setting aside a share for him and his wife—only this troublemaker of a youngest son remembered.

"Fine. Four shares." He finalized the decision, though inwardly he sighed. Michael may be well-off now, but he still gets his fair share. Can’t have him becoming someone else’s son-in-law for real.

When it came to dividing food and household items, Michael waved them off. Then he casually remarked, "Dad, aren’t Robert and William planning to build new houses?"

Elizabeth’s bowl clattered to the floor.

"I’ve heard..." Michael drawled, "that soon, homestead land will have to be bought. If they don’t claim it now, they’ll have to pay later." He winked at Robert. "Just looking out for you."

Robert gaped, then turned to his father for help.

John narrowed his eyes. "Michael, who told you that?"

"If you don’t believe me, ask at the Supply & Market." Michael shrugged, a glint of calculation in his eyes. He’d planned this—using the family division to push both brothers out.

The old house would stay with his parents. Any gifts of food? Only for them.

As for Robert and Elizabeth? One was spineless, the other petty.

William and Patricia? One was cowardly, the other shrewish.

The only people Michael Stone intended to care for were his parents.