Chapter 131
"Harold Martin is getting beaten up by a man who came in a car!" The messenger gasped for breath, his face alight with excitement. "They say he got some man's niece pregnant and was fooling around with other female workers in the factory. He got caught red-handed. The two women fought, and the baby was lost. Now they're pressing charges against him for indecent assault!"
Mayor George Clark slowly took his seat. "Noted. Let's continue the meeting."
The messenger froze.
This wasn't right!
Usually, no matter how wrong a villager was, the mayor would rally people to back them up. Why was he so indifferent to Harold Martin today?
"Mayor, aren't you going to check? That man is hitting him hard—Harold's head is bleeding! His parents don't dare step in, and the man brought four or five helpers. There's even someone in a police uniform there!"
George waved his hand. "We're not in the right here. Going would be pointless. Besides, if they brought the police, they must be following proper procedure. What would people think if we showed up to support a sex offender?"
He scanned the room. "Anyone here want to help a criminal? You might get accused of harboring him, and then no one would believe you even if you had a good reason."
Everyone shook their heads.
"Exactly!" George rapped the table. "With the police there, do you really think they'd let things go too far? At most, the girl's family just wants to vent. We have more important matters to discuss—like the agricultural tax."
Luna White suppressed a smile. "Godfather, I'll take my leave."
George waved her off. Luna clearly saw the corners of his lips twitch upward.
This was almost certainly George's doing.
Harold wasn't stupid enough to offend the factory manager. It seemed George had been quietly plotting something big these past few days. After the way the Martin family had bullied Lily, if George didn't teach them a lesson, he wouldn't deserve his position as mayor.
As soon as Luna stepped out of the village committee office, Lily grabbed her arm.
"Finally! I've been waiting forever!" Lily's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I need to go cook. The aunties are still at my place making quilts," Luna said, pretending to leave.
Lily held her tight. "What's the hurry? After we watch the show, I'll help you." Without waiting for a reply, she dragged Luna to the Martin family's doorstep.
In the yard, four or five burly men were kicking and punching Harold, who curled into a ball on the ground, groaning as he covered his head. Mrs. Martin tried to intervene but was shoved to the ground, immediately wailing, "Murder! Help!"
The onlookers pointed and whispered, but no one stepped forward.
Luna noticed a uniformed officer sitting nearby, taking statements from villagers.
Mrs. Martin scrambled up and rushed toward the messenger. "Where's the mayor? Where's the security chief? My son's being beaten to death!"
The neighbor shook his head. "The mayor said this is official business—the village committee can't interfere. Besides, who would dare get involved with a sex offender?"
Mrs. Martin collapsed to the ground, cursing, "George Clark, you heartless bastard! This is revenge! I curse your daughter to never marry and die an old maid!"
Lily trembled with rage and moved to charge forward.
Luna yanked her back.
If Lily stepped in now, she'd be playing right into Mrs. Martin's hands. If anyone was going to fight, it should be her—the goddaughter!
Luna rolled up her sleeves and strode into the yard.