Shawn lingered, a persistent, shameless burr. "What fortune has befallen our village? Demolition? A payout? Why the silence?"

Charles bristled, nearly losing his balance. "No renovations, no payouts! Our villagers work hard, earn honestly, unlike your family, who lucked into a stray daughter. You contributed nothing, yet extorted a fortune!" He referred to their acquisition of Felicia.

The villagers only learned of Felicia's true parentage after her reunion with her biological family. Before that, her treatment had already fueled speculation that she was adopted. Consequently, their opinion of Shawn's family was far from favorable; they openly condemned their ingratitude.

Shawn scoffed. "Fifty million dollars is hardly a fortune. It's barely enough to spend." His implication—he'd extort more given the chance—was clear.

Charles frowned. "What was that?"

"Nothing." Shawn wouldn't reveal his plans. He'd already made a deal with Kayla. Once Felicia was gone, the Fuller family's wealth would naturally pass to her. As her brother, he'd inherit it all. He chuckled, imagining the villagers, who now scorned him, begging for his favor.

Smug and self-satisfied, Shawn basked in his own machinations. The villagers, however, were unwilling to tolerate such a scoundrel and quickly dispersed.

As Charles headed home, he cast a wary glance at Shawn. Uneasy, he immediately summoned his grandson. "Lucas, find Felicia. Tell her Shawn's back, causing trouble. She needs to be cautious. That brat's up to something!"

"Got it!"

Little Lucas West abandoned his toy car and sprinted towards Macey's house.

The Fuller family's dilapidated Alverton house lay abandoned. Felicia, burdened by traumatic childhood memories, lived with Macey.

Upon arriving, Lucas found Felicia retrieving sweet potatoes from the still-warm hearth. Leftovers from breakfast, Macey had tossed them in, knowing Felicia's fondness for them. Their surfaces were darkened, but once peeled, they released fragrant steam. "Felicia!" Lucas exclaimed, his mouth watering. Despite frequently eating sweet potatoes, the sight of them in another's hands sparked his hunger.

Felicia laughed, handing him one. "Here, be careful, it's hot. I'll peel another."

"Thank you, Felicia!" Lucas accepted it gratefully, blowing on it to cool it. After a few bites, he remembered his grandfather's message. "Felicia, Grandpa said Shawn's back, making a fuss. He said to be careful!"

"What else did your grandpa say?"

Lucas, cheeks full, nodded. "Grandpa said that brat hasn't figured out what to do yet!"

Felicia chuckled. But considering his debts and missing fingers, he was likely desperate, clinging to Kayla and attempting to extort her. She wondered why he'd returned now.