Chapter 219

Slap!

The sharp sound of a palm striking flesh echoed through the silent hospital room.

Lin Xiaonuan flexed her stinging fingers, her cold gaze fixed on the once-arrogant man before her. Lu Mingyuan's cheek bloomed red, a thin trail of blood seeping from the corner of his lips.

"That was for my sister."

Her voice was soft, yet every word cut like a blade.

Lu Mingyuan struggled to prop himself up on the hospital bed, disbelief flashing in his eyes. His mouth opened, but no sound came out—the doctors had said his vocal cords were damaged, and he wouldn’t speak for at least three months.

"Surprised?" Xiaonuan smirked. "Did you think faking an illness would save you?"

Slowly, she pulled a stack of photos from her bag and laid them out one by one on the sheets. Each image showed Lu Mingyuan wrapped around a different woman, spanning three years of infidelity.

"And this is just the tip of the iceberg."

Lu Mingyuan’s pupils shrank. He lunged for the photos, but Xiaonuan seized his wrist and pressed down hard.

"Does it hurt?" She tightened her grip. "My sister felt a thousand times worse when she jumped."

Outside, lightning split the sky, illuminating Lu Mingyuan’s ashen face. He shook his head violently, a strangled rasp escaping his throat.

"Don’t rush," Xiaonuan said, releasing him to retrieve another document. "There’s more."

She unfolded it—a medical diagnosis.

"Stage four liver cancer. Six months left, at most." She read the verdict aloud, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "How… poetic."

Lu Mingyuan trembled violently before doubling over in a coughing fit. Blood splattered across the white sheets.

Xiaonuan took a graceful step back, smoothing her skirt.

"Enjoy what little time you have left." She turned toward the door, pausing just before she opened it. "Oh, one more thing—"

"Every asset under your name? They’re mine now."

The door clicked shut. A heavy thud sounded from inside the room.

In the hallway, Xiaonuan pulled out her phone and dialed.

"Hello, police? I’d like to report a case of financial fraud..."

A piercing scream cut through the bustling town.

Emily Johnson retracted her leg, her sharp gaze fixed on the middle-aged man writhing in pain on the ground. She had kicked him with full force, aiming straight for his most vulnerable spot.

"Mommy..." Little David clutched her sleeve, his face pale.

"Don't be afraid." Emily shielded her son behind her, scanning their surroundings warily. She had noticed the suspicious man tailing them for some time.

The man groaned, clutching his groin. "W-why did you attack me?"

"Why?" Emily scoffed. "Because you tried to kidnap my son!"

The crowd gasped, quickly gathering around them.

"I didn't!" The man's eyes darted nervously as he struggled to stand.

Emily pulled a stun gun from her pocket and flicked it on with a sharp click. "Care to test this?"

The man's face drained of color. He turned to flee.

"Stop him!" someone in the crowd shouted.

Several burly men tackled him to the ground. Soon, officers arrived at the scene.

"Ma'am, please come with us to give a statement," a young officer said, eyeing the stun gun with surprise.

Emily calmly put it away. "My husband brought it back from the military for protection."

At the station, the man continued to lie. "I was just asking for directions..."

"Directions? You followed us for three blocks!" Emily countered coldly. "And tried to lure my son with candy?"

Little David added timidly, "He said he'd take me to buy sweets... and that Mommy was waiting..."

The officers' expressions darkened. They were all too familiar with child abduction tactics.

"Don't worry, ma'am. We'll investigate thoroughly," an older officer assured her, patting her shoulder. "You and your son can go home and rest."

Outside the station, Emily's hands trembled slightly. She knelt and hugged David. "Were you scared?"

He shook his head, then nodded. "Mommy was so brave."

"Remember, if a stranger ever..."

"Don't take anything from them, and don't go with them!" David finished eagerly.

Emily kissed his forehead. "Smart boy. Let's go home."

On the way back, she remained tense. Only when she saw the familiar smoke rising from Stone Village did she finally relax.

"Mommy!" Little Tommy barreled toward her like a tiny cannonball, throwing himself into her arms. "You took so long!"

Mary Stone peeked out from the kitchen. "What happened? You look upset."

Emily gathered both children close. "Let's wait for Grandpa to come home before we talk."

As night fell, John Stone Sr. returned with his hoe. After hearing his daughter-in-law's story, he slammed the table. "Those damn traffickers!"

"Dad, I want to organize an anti-abduction workshop for the village," Emily proposed. "While everyone's home before the holidays..."

"Good idea!" John declared firmly. "I'll notify the whole village tomorrow!"

Later, Emily tucked the boys into bed, gently smoothing David's furrowed brow as he slept. She gazed at the moonlight outside, tightening her grip on the stun gun.

That night, one trafficker's arrest altered the fate of many families. Unbeknownst to Emily, her decision would soon save countless more children...