Chapter 9
Luna White curled her lips into a cold smile, her gaze shifting between Clara White and Jack White. "Grandma, that’s not quite right. The whole village heard you admit today that you’ve been taking 19 dollars a month from my brother and sister for my living expenses." She paused deliberately. "Even if I ate eggs and fine flour every day, that money would be more than enough."
She turned to Jack, her eyes sharpening. "Uncle, do you also think I’ve been freeloading? Then let’s settle this properly. There are 365 days in a year, and I’ve worked in the fields for at least a hundred of them. Every pig and chicken in this house—who do you think fed them? So, I don’t even deserve an egg?"
Luna slammed her hands on the table, rattling the dishes. "Let’s make this clear today! If you think I eat too much, Grandma, give me back the money, and I’ll move back to the old house right now!"
Jack’s face darkened. His timid niece, who never dared to speak up, was now challenging him to his face.
"You ungrateful brat!" Clara shrieked, her rheumy eyes darting around. "That money is my pension! It’s got nothing to do with you!" Spotting a carrying pole in the corner, she grabbed it and swung at Luna.
Luna had been ready for this. She needed to take the hit—only blood would expose the truth about the White family to the whole village. She deliberately angled herself toward a metal hook. With a sickening tear, her sleeve split open, revealing a deep gash.
"Ah!" Blood soaked her sleeve instantly. Clutching her wound, Luna bolted out the door, her wail piercing the night. "Help! Murder! Mayor Clark, help me!"
The first to rush out was Aunt Laura from next door, who nearly fainted at the sight. "Good heavens! This—this is going to kill her!" She caught Luna as she swayed, her hands coming away sticky with blood.
More villagers gathered as word spread. Luna slumped in Aunt Laura’s arms, her voice weak. "It’s my fault… I shouldn’t have eaten that bowl of fine flour… shouldn’t have mentioned the money Ethan sends…" She coughed violently, spitting blood. "But I… I didn’t know… Uncle was making my brother pay for Grandma’s pension…"
The words exploded like thunder among the crowd. Elderly Mrs. Wright, a respected figure in the village, hobbled forward with her cane. "Jack White! Have you no shame? Making your nephew and niece support your mother—are you dead or crippled?"
Jack turned ashen. He never expected his meek niece to set such a trap for him. As the villagers muttered and pointed, he reached for Luna. "She’s delirious with fever! Come on, Uncle will take you to the clinic—"
"Don’t touch me!" Luna shrieked, recoiling as if from a monster. "Last time you said that… you locked me in the woodshed for three days…" She deliberately revealed old bruises on her arm, sobbing hysterically. "I’ll wait for Mayor Clark!"
Right on cue, George Clark pushed through the crowd with Security Chief Paul Jackson. Luna’s vision darkened—she allowed herself to faint, satisfied.
The play had succeeded.