The Scholar in the Courtyard

Chapter 5: Samantha Parker's Arrest

"Director... did I really kill my parents?"

The question hit the courtyard like a thunderclap.

For a moment, everything went silent.

Even Samantha Parker, who had been screaming and cursing only seconds earlier, froze in place. Her mouth hung open as she stared at Ryan Williams, unsure whether she should continue.

Director Sterling felt his heart tighten.

He knew exactly how Ryan Williams's father had died.

Although Ryan's father had worked in Workshop Three while he managed Workshop One, everyone in the factory knew the truth.

The factory had already issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Ryan's father had died a hero.

No one was allowed to distort those facts.

Looking at the boy standing before him—with tears in his eyes and pain written across his face—Director Sterling suddenly saw his own son.

The anger he had been suppressing finally erupted.

"Child!"

His voice rang through the courtyard.

"Your father was a hero!"

"He sacrificed himself protecting factory property and serving the people!"

"He gave his life for the collective!"

"He is someone we should all learn from!"

"Anyone who slanders a revolutionary hero deserves nothing but contempt!"

The crowd trembled.

Director Sterling's furious gaze landed directly on Samantha Parker.

The coldness in his eyes sent a chill through everyone's spine.

Even Thomas Carter felt his heart sink.

No matter how respected he was as an eighth-level fitter, he was still just a worker.

A factory director was a different matter entirely.

And worse—they were clearly in the wrong.

Thomas Carter looked toward Ryan Williams.

For the first time, he felt like he no longer recognized the boy.

The timid child who had once endured everything in silence was gone.

The Ryan Williams standing here today was sharp, calculating, and dangerous.

Every move had been planned.

Every word had struck exactly where it hurt.

Just what had happened to him?

While Thomas Carter was still trying to understand, Samantha Parker realized the crowd's opinion was turning against her.

Panic flashed across her face.

Then stubbornness took over.

Ignoring Elysia Smith's attempts to pull her back, she opened her mouth again.

Ryan Williams's eyes immediately turned cold.

"Shut up, you old hag!"

The sudden roar startled everyone.

"My father served the people!"

"He sacrificed himself for the factory!"

"He was a hero!"

"And yet in your mouth, he somehow became someone I cursed to death?"

His voice grew louder with every word.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

"Twisting facts? Slandering the dead?"

"Are you saying people who protect state property and contribute to the country can be insulted however you like?"

His words echoed throughout the courtyard.

Thomas Carter's expression changed dramatically.

He finally realized where this was heading.

"Ryan—"

He tried to interrupt.

Too late.

"Aunt Brooks! Director Sterling!"

Ryan Williams pointed directly at Samantha Parker.

"You both heard her."

"Everyone heard her."

His jaw tightened.

"I believe she has serious ideological problems."

The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere changed.

Instantly.

People stepped backward.

Some lowered their heads.

Others looked away.

Even Andrew Fletcher instinctively leaned away from Samantha Parker.

The phrase carried enormous weight in this era.

Samantha Parker's face turned pale.

George Cooper's legs gave out.

With a loud thud, he collapsed onto the empty stool behind him.

The Third Uncle quietly moved farther away from the Parker family.

If he hadn't been sitting at the same table, he probably would have run.

Everyone understood the danger.

The neighborhood elders existed precisely to monitor issues like this and report problems to the street office.

Nobody wanted to get dragged into trouble.

Samantha Parker finally became afraid.

"No..."

"I didn't mean that..."

"I didn't..."

Her voice trembled.

Unfortunately, everyone had already heard her insults.

There was no taking them back.

Kevin Parker stood frozen beside her.

His lips moved, but no sound came out.

Even Thomas Carter didn't know what to say anymore.

A single cold glance from Director Brooks silenced him completely.

He knew today's situation was beyond saving.

Meanwhile, Director Brooks's expression had become frighteningly dark.

The higher authorities had specifically instructed the street office to look after Ryan Williams's family.

Thomas Carter had personally assured her that everything was under control.

Yet this was what she found today.

Her disappointment was obvious.

Unable to bear the silence, George Cooper forced himself to stand.

"Ryan," he said awkwardly, "your Aunt Parker just speaks without thinking. She didn't mean anything by it."

"Today is a special day."

"There are guests here."

"Let's not make things worse. Come sit down and have a drink."

Ryan Williams laughed.

The sound carried no warmth whatsoever.

"I already told you."

"I don't drink the Parker family's wine."

"And I already announced it."

"From today onward, the Williams family and the Parker family have nothing to do with each other."

His eyes narrowed.

"George Cooper, are you deaf?"

"Or is your memory failing?"

"If you're sick, go get treatment."

"If you can't do your job, then step down and let someone else take your place."

The courtyard gasped.

Ryan Williams wasn't holding back at all.

"And stop pretending to be a peacemaker."

"My injuries today have something to do with your son, Charles Cooper."

At those words, a burly young man in the crowd immediately glared at him.

It was Charles Cooper.

"You—!"

George Cooper's face turned purple with rage.

But after glancing at Director Sterling, he swallowed his anger and sat back down.

Today, he had lost all dignity.

The Third Uncle wisely stayed out of it and continued eating peanuts as though none of this concerned him.

Suddenly, Elysia Smith spoke.

"Ryan Williams!"

Tears filled her eyes.

Her expression was pitiful enough to stir sympathy in almost anyone.

"Haven't you done enough?"

"How is my wedding supposed to continue after everything you've done?"

"My mother-in-law lost her temper and said a few angry words."

"Was that really worth all of this?"

"Why are you being so heartless?"

Andrew Fletcher immediately stepped forward.

"Exactly!"

"You ruined the Parker family's wedding, and now you're acting innocent?"

"If it were me, I would've punched you already!"

He raised his fist threateningly.

The crowd began whispering again.

But Ryan Williams ignored everyone.

Instead, he looked directly at Director Brooks.

"Aunt Brooks."

She immediately understood.

Director Brooks stepped forward and swept her gaze across the courtyard.

Silence instantly returned.

Nobody dared challenge the authority of the street office.

The street office controlled everything from grain allocations to marriage approvals and letters of introduction.

Offending them was never wise.

Director Brooks spoke calmly.

"Alina Lopez."

Samantha Parker's real name echoed across the courtyard.

"As a citizen of the new era, your behavior is unacceptable."

Then she turned toward the clerk who had accompanied her.

"Clerk Cooper."

"Take her back to the street office."

"She will await further investigation and disciplinary action."

The courtyard exploded into shock.

Without hesitation, Clerk Cooper stepped forward.

He pushed Kevin Parker and Elysia Smith aside and grabbed Samantha Parker's arm.

Before she could react, her wrist was twisted behind her back.

Pain shot through her body.

"Ahhh!"

She screamed.

Thomas Carter wanted to speak.

But he couldn't.

Not now.

Not after everything that had happened.

Samantha Parker struggled desperately.

Unfortunately, Clerk Cooper had dealt with people like her for years.

One sharp twist was enough to make her obedient.

She was dragged toward the courtyard gate.

"Kevin! Save me!"

"I don't want to go!"

"Let me go!"

"Thomas Carter! Help me!"

Her cries echoed through the courtyard.

No one moved.

No one dared.

Thomas Carter looked at Kevin Parker, who stood there with his head lowered, too frightened to even look at his own mother.

A trace of disappointment appeared in his eyes.

This was the person he had chosen to rely on in old age?

If Kevin Parker couldn't even stand up for his mother, how could he ever take care of someone else?

For the first time, Thomas Carter began to doubt his decision.

At that moment, Elysia Smith suddenly rushed forward and dropped to her knees.

"Director Brooks!"

"Please!"

"My mother-in-law didn't mean it!"

"She only spoke carelessly!"

"Please forgive her!"

Her swollen face was streaked with tears.

The sight moved many people.

"What a good daughter-in-law..."

Someone whispered.

Even Thomas Carter felt hope return.

Andrew Fletcher's eyes practically glowed.

"Sister Elysia is too kind..."

He looked at Ryan Williams with renewed hostility.

Even Director Brooks felt slightly softened.

But rules were rules.

If she backed down now, she would lose all authority.

Looking at Elysia Smith, she spoke calmly.

"The country has laws."

"And every family has rules."

"If someone makes a mistake, they must face the consequences."

"This isn't a matter of personal favors."

Her words shattered the last bit of hope.

Samantha Parker's face turned deathly pale.

The struggle left her body.

Moments later, she disappeared through the courtyard gate.

Only the echo of her cries remained behind.