Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed novel Chapter 879

However, their tolerance didn't bring them peace. It only led to more vicious bullying.

"To vent their anger, Fabian and Jay snuck into our yard in the middle of the night, stole our chickens, and killed our watchdog. Then they paid someone to throw manure all over the front of our house," Gail continued, her voice choked with sobs.

"A few weeks later, they brought a gang of thugs and stormed into our house, beating up my parents. That's why my mom's condition got so much worse. She can barely eat or drink now, and we can't even take her to the county hospital for treatment. The Oakes family threatened everyone in the village with a car, forbidding them from giving us a ride."

Carlson’s phone was deliberately smashed during the fight. "Arkle was at our house when it happened," Carlson added quietly. "He was pushed, hit his head, and started bleeding a lot. Fabian and Jay just stood there. I tried to call an ambulance, but Fabian twisted my arms behind my back and pinned me to the ground. Finally, Arkle's parents heard the commotion and came running. They begged and pleaded until Fabian and Jay finally let them take their son. I heard they rushed Arkle to the town clinic that night, but they couldn't treat him there, so he was transferred to the county hospital. He still hasn't woken up."

Gail finished, tears streaming down her face. "...They never wanted to move any graves. They just saw that we were making money from the cherries and decided to take our orchard for themselves!"

Mamie was trembling with rage. "How can people be so shameless? This is no different from outright robbery!" She turned to Carlson Smith. "I can maybe understand not calling the police the first time, but why didn't you call them after they beat you up and hurt Arkle so badly?!"

Carlson Smith gave a bitter smile. Gail spoke up, "My brother did call the police! They came, but it was useless..."

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Carlson Smith went to open it. "Dad," he said.

He bustled about, anxious not to neglect his son's classmates. Looking at this simple, honest man, who still had the faint traces of bruises on his face, yet was smiling and offering them the best his home had to offer... Mamie felt her eyes well up with tears. Roseanne fell silent. An oppressive weight settled on Scales. All three of them came from comfortable backgrounds, and what they had seen and heard today shattered their worldview. They had never imagined such injustice existed, that such a dark, ugly corner of the world could exist where the sun didn't seem to shine.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside. A swaggering voice called out, "Hey, Smith! I hear you've got guests! Why didn't you invite me? Let me get a look!"

Mr. Smith froze. The color drained from Carlson Smith's face. Gail, terrified, hid behind her father and began to cry silently. The entire family looked like startled birds. It was obvious who had arrived.

Roseanne narrowed her eyes and looked toward the door.