CHAPTER 50: A NASTY RUMOR

The villagers who had already arrived were unable to put out the blaze.

Gara stepped forward, extended his hand, and a large stream of water surged out like a sprinkler.

Only when the flames came into contact with Gara’s water did they finally go out. This wasn’t ordinary fire. The young man suppressed the anger burning in his chest.

After twenty minutes, nearly all the villagers had arrived, and the fire was completely extinguished.

"Wina, your entire field’s burned down," Grandma Lasymira approached the mother and son, eyes full of concern.

Wina let out a long sigh. But rather than sorrow, there was a flash of fury in her eyes.

"Grandma, what about the other fields?" she asked.

"Only yours and Abram’s fields were burned," replied the elderly woman.

Wina sharpened her gaze. It was clear that the field belonging to Grandpa Abram was actually her former field.

"Mom, this is..." Gara gripped his mother’s hand.

"I won’t let him get away with this. This is clearly his doing." A vein bulged on Wina’s forehead. Her fists clenched.

"What happened, Wina?" Grandma Lasymira asked worriedly.

"Nothing, Elder. I’ll buy new seeds soon so I can replant right away."

"If you need any help, just say the word. The old man and I can still lend a hand," Grandma Lasymira said, patting Wina on the shoulder.

Wina had no intention of telling the other villagers. For now, she had no proof. If the others found out, they would panic and demand answers from Satyo. But she was sure Satyo would never confess.

What they’d get wouldn’t be the truth, but lives in danger.

Her house had a barrier to protect them while inside, but the other villagers didn’t. If they got involved, they’d be exposed.

Their homes and their lives, not just their fields, could be the next target.

Until Grandpa Jaya returned, or until they had solid evidence, they would remain on the losing side.

Wina and Gara finally descended the mountain, leaving behind the villagers who were still gathered, murmuring and speculating about the recent fire.

As the two figures disappeared from sight, a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Isn’t it strange that it wasn’t just Wina’s field that burned?" someone said. "I’m not one to gossip, but... maybe it’s time to be honest."

All eyes turned to a woman with warm, tawny skin.

"What do you know, Lita?" asked one of the elders, an old man with clouded eyes.

Lita puffed out her chest, her voice ringing with false righteousness. "Wina. That woman. She’s been involved with Dilan—the thug from Pongsy Village. They had a fight, and out of anger, he burned down her field."

"Watch your words, Lita! Wina is a respectable woman!" Grandma Lasymira snapped instantly.

"I’m not making things up, Elder. I heard them arguing by the river," Lita replied, standing her ground.

Her confident tone made some villagers waver. Though many remained unsure, a few began to consider her story. After all, they knew Lita held a grudge against Wina.

"If you elders don’t want to believe me, that’s fine. I just want to keep our own fields safe. We might be the next victims of their dirty little love story."

This time, her words planted doubt even among those who had hesitated.

Grandma Lasymira scoffed loudly. "Speak like that again and I’ll tear your mouth open."

"Maybe she’s not lying," came a new voice—an elderly woman from the back of the crowd. "It might be true."

"You’re only defending her because she’s your daughter-in-law, aren’t you?" someone accused.

"Of course not," Grandma Vivia retorted quickly.

He wouldn’t defend Lita because he actually hated his headstrong daughter-in-law, but he also hated Wina.

She would never defend her sharp-tongued daughter-in-law because she actually hated her. But on the other side, she also hated Wina.

Wina had dared to reject her son, even though she believed her son had no flaws. How dare a single mother turn him down?

Years had passed since Lita and her husband Albin left the village, and Grandma Vivia had almost forgotten her grudge against Wina. Especially with Gara around—a sweet child who melted everyone’s heart.

But now that Lita was back, so was the bitterness.

Some older women close to her knew she disliked Lita, but they had no idea about her grudge against Wina. So when she began siding with Lita, they assumed it was out of genuine belief.

Little by little, they began to believe Lita’s words too.

"Wina’s always been secretive. No one really knows about her personal life," Grandma Mala added. "For all we know, it could be true..."

"That’s what I’m saying, Grandmas," Lita said with fake concern. "You all better make sure your husbands and sons stay away from Wina. If that thug Dilan sees her with another man, he might go after your families too."

Her words sent unease rippling through the crowd.

"I have a feeling the village chief’s abrupt trip to town last night was because he was hurt by that thug, Dilan. Jealousy, no doubt. Elder Jaya is always gone out of his way to help Wina," she added, seeding deeper paranoia.

While the villagers gossiped and whispered, Wina and Gara walked quietly down the path toward home.

At the end of the road, a man appeared—tall, likely in his early forties, dressed in a fluttering black Liner robe. He walked with the arrogance.

A sly smirk played on his lips.

"This is what happens when you step out of line," he said coldly. "And this is only the beginning."

Wina clenched her fists, while Gara gritted his teeth. Without solid evidence, they couldn’t do anything.

Satyo’s gaze shifted to Gara’s lovely face. He licked his lips slowly.

That look again! Disgusting!

Gara’s skin crawled. If he let his instincts take over, he would’ve sliced that man’s neck with a water slash right then and there.

"There’s a way out of this, you know..." Satyo’s eyes moved to Wina.

"Give me your child. With that face, they’ll make a perfect plaything for nobles. Besides, that water Talent of his is useless, isn’t it?"

...