Patrick Reid nodded.

He stood at the very center of the clinic's steps.

Took a deep breath.

And said loudly, "My name is Patrick Reid, from Pinegrove Village in Sunglow Town. All the folks present should know me. Four years ago, I was the planner and participant of that armed conflict between the two villages..."

As Patrick Reid recounted the events.

The truth of that conflict from four years ago finally came to light.

The entire story starts with a village revitalization fund allocated back then.

Four years ago, the province made significant adjustments to its rural revitalization strategy.

At the time, Stillwater County received a fund totaling 6.5 million.

After discussions, the county decided to allocate this money to Sunglow Town for infrastructure improvements, including the road from the county seat to Sunglow Town.

Once the money was received.

Tristan Reid had no intention of using it for road construction.

He wanted to pocket it himself.

Such things weren't particularly unusual in Sunglow Town.

After all, similar things had happened before.

The common folk didn't even know about this money, and even if they did, they'd have no idea how it was being used. Ultimately, it was up to the town government to decide.

But who would have thought someone would stand up and cause trouble?

That person was the then-vice-mayor, Eldar Hughes.

Eldar Hughes believed the money had to be spent on Tea Hill Village.

Firstly, all the funds from above had consistently gone to Pinegrove Village. If Tea Hill Village's tea was to develop, it needed this money.

Secondly, the road leading out of the village needed to be properly repaired. It's common knowledge that to get rich, you must first build roads.

Eldar Hughes was a stubborn person.

He even prepared a fund usage plan and presented it at the town party committee meeting.

He even accused some people of wanting to embezzle these funds in front of all the committee members, saying such things must not happen.

Who was Tristan Reid?

A small fry like Eldar Hughes could never worry him.

Part of the 6.5 million was sent out, but to whom no one knew.

The remainder was laundered layer by layer, eventually ending up in the pockets of Tristan Reid and his son.

After Eldar Hughes learned of this, he stormed into Tristan Reid's office, slamming the table and demanding he return the money, threatening to report his embezzlement to the county and city if he didn't.

This move enraged Tristan Reid completely.

He summoned a group of people.

This group included Patrick Reid.

All these people were direct descendants of The Reid Family.

Tristan Reid told them to find a way to eliminate Eldar Hughes discreetly.

Thus, under such planning, because of a small property dispute, tensions between the two villages were deliberately escalated, turning a minor friction into an armed conflict.

That day, it "just happened" to be Eldar Hughes's shift.

Eldar Hughes rushed to the scene.

In the chaos, he couldn't suppress the fight at all.

Taking advantage of the moment, he was beaten with sticks, leading to his death.

It was precisely because of this conflict.

That led to many from both villages being imprisoned.

At this moment.

Tristan Reid intentionally spread rumors that Pinegrove Village needed to raise funds for road construction, inciting Tea Hill Village. Fueled by deliberate incitement, Tea Hill Village residents, infuriated, obstructed the road construction from Sunglow Town to the county seat.

As a result.

The 6.5 million was effortlessly embezzled by Tristan Reid.

To outsiders, it appeared.

The road couldn't be built due to Tea Hill Village's obstruction.

In fact.

Tristan Reid never intended to build the road.

Even developing Pinegrove Village's bamboo product industry was merely a means to embezzle. Officially, funds were allocated to Pinegrove Village, but in reality, most were secretly pocketed by Tristan Reid and his son.

Over these years, Tristan Reid's embezzled funds amounted to over ten million.

Of course.

Patrick Reid and others wouldn't do it for free.

After the deed was done.

Some were imprisoned, including Patrick Reid, who was sentenced to just over two years due to the lesser nature of his actions.

Upon release, he received hush money from Tristan Reid.

He used it to open a bamboo crafts workshop.

Tristan Reid believed.

No one would ever reveal the truth from back then.

After all, back then, the crime was merely gathering for a fight. If the truth came out, it would be deliberate murder; no one would be foolish enough to harm themselves.

But he never anticipated.

This time, in the warehouse attack on Dirk Carter.

Nearly cost Kaiser Reid his life.

Upon returning home and reflecting, Kaiser Reid felt they owed Dirk Carter and voluntarily came forward with his son to confess.

After Eldar had spoken.

The crowd erupted in whispers.

Who would have thought.

Back then, the village conflict involved many villagers contributing manpower and effort, only to realize they were merely pawns for Tristan Reid, fighting to protect his "private interests".

The supposed protection of village collective interests.

Was merely a guise for Tristan Reid's murder cover-up.

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd.

Dirk Carter stepped forward to face Tristan Reid.

After a pause, he spoke, "Old Mayor, surely you can't claim slander now, can you? After all, some brothers are still in prison. If the police conduct a sudden interrogation, they can still gather evidence. Additionally, if the discipline and inspection commission investigates your assets, they should find traces, right?"

By this time, Tristan Reid was struggling to stand.

All his hope lay with Sherman Summers.

"Magistrate Summers, please help me, save me! I don't want to go to jail, I don't want to go to jail..."

He reached out to grab Sherman Summers.

But Sherman Summers knew that Tristan Reid was a plague now; touching him might bring harm upon himself.

He stepped back.

Angrily said, "Tristan Reid, after all the trust I placed in you, you're nothing but a parasite, a murderer. I can't deal with this."

He spoke.

Then huffed away, shaking his sleeves.

With Sherman's departure.

Tristan Reid's last hope vanished.

If it weren't for two policemen holding him up, he might have collapsed to the ground.

"Dirk Carter, Mayor Carter, just pretend you don't know about this. I'll give you all my money, I have four goddaughters, each more beautiful than the last, you can have them all, do whatever you like, okay? Just spare me!"

For survival's sake.

People are willing to forsake anything.

At this moment, Tristan Reid must have realized.

Compared to freedom.

Everything he once held dear seemed insignificant.

"Old Mayor, I'm just a regular person too, tempted by wealth and beauty, but there's one rule I follow: don't take what shouldn't be taken, don't touch what shouldn't be touched. So, I graciously decline your offer."

After finishing this statement.

Dirk Carter suddenly remembered something.

He said, "By the way, there's another thing that needs explaining, Old Mayor, do you know why I forcefully took Denton Quincy from the fire scene?"

"Why?"

"Because you and I both know, in your plan, Denton Quincy would've been killed on the spot. If he weren't dead, he'd be a threat to you and your son. So, as long as he was in my custody, you were bound to target him."

"Given that I was aware of Denton Quincy's risky situation from the start, how could I let him lie quietly in the hospital? Don't you think?"

These words.

Left Tristan Reid stunned.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Then... then... Denton Quincy was never in the ward to begin with? Then... then where was he hidden?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.