The Scholar in the Courtyard

Chapter 6: Paying the Price

An older woman stepped forward and helped Elysia Smith to her feet.

With her swollen face and tear-filled eyes, she looked even more pitiful than before. The crowd couldn't help but sympathize with her.

Only Ryan Williams knew what kind of person she truly was.

Behind that innocent face hid a woman who was far more calculating than she appeared. Given enough time and opportunity, she would climb over anyone in her way. Beneath her gentle smile was the heart of a schemer.

Ryan Williams looked at her and sneered inwardly.

Still acting? Fine. Let's see who does it better.

His body suddenly swayed.

The next second, he staggered forward as though he were about to collapse.

"Watch out!"

Director Sterling reacted instantly, lunging forward and catching him before he hit the ground.

"Ryan!"

"What happened?"

"Are you alright?"

Director Brooks hurried over, her voice filled with concern.

Ryan Williams's face twisted in pain as he pointed weakly at his right leg.

Director Sterling immediately rolled up his trouser leg.

A collective gasp swept through the courtyard.

His calf was badly swollen, the skin dark purple and black from severe bruising.

Even Jason Holt, standing in the crowd, felt his heart skip a beat.

He knew exactly where that injury had come from.

Yesterday, in his eagerness to show off, he had ripped off a table leg and used it during the beating.

That wound was his handiwork.

"Who did this?"

Director Sterling's expression darkened instantly.

His voice carried the authority of a workshop director, and the entire courtyard fell silent.

"Who was responsible for this?"

He pointed directly at Thomas Carter.

"Tell me!"

"This is a child!"

"Beating someone like this is practically attempted murder!"

"As workers of the steel mill, attacking one of our own is a serious offense!"

His voice thundered through the courtyard.

"If nobody speaks, I'll have the factory's Security Department investigate this personally!"

Thomas Carter lowered his head.

Beside him, George Cooper's face turned pale.

Yesterday, he had been the one leading the charge against Ryan Williams.

At the time, he had felt powerful.

Now he felt as though a noose was tightening around his neck.

Director Brooks's expression was icy.

"Thomas Carter."

"George Cooper."

"Richard Collins."

"I want an explanation."

The colder her voice became, the more frightened everyone felt.

People familiar with Director Brooks knew exactly what that expression meant.

Someone was about to suffer the consequences.

Thomas Carter understood that better than anyone.

But how could he explain?

Among those who had beaten Ryan Williams were Kevin Parker and Andrew Fletcher.

One was his prized apprentice.

The other was someone he had high hopes for.

Throwing either of them under the bus would be painful.

George Cooper wasn't any better.

He might sacrifice Charles Cooper if necessary, but there was no way he would implicate himself.

As for Richard Collins, he quietly stood to the side.

His son Edward Collins had only joined in briefly. If possible, he'd rather pretend none of it had happened.

Seeing that nobody was willing to speak, Director Brooks turned toward Director Sterling.

"Old Sterling."

"Since this involves one of your factory's workers, I'll leave the matter to the Security Department."

Director Sterling nodded immediately.

Truthfully, he was deeply disappointed.

Especially in Thomas Carter.

The man had an excellent reputation at the factory, yet such disgraceful things had happened right under his nose.

It completely shattered the image he once had of him.

The moment Thomas Carter heard the words Security Department, his composure crumbled.

"Director Brooks!"

"Director Sterling!"

"Please wait!"

"This is just a misunderstanding."

"We can resolve it within the courtyard."

"There's no need to involve the Security Department."

As he spoke, he nudged George Cooper.

George Cooper quickly followed.

"That's right."

"It was a misunderstanding."

"Ryan was emotional because of what happened."

"Anyone would be angry after having their fiancée taken away."

"We acted impulsively too."

"We're willing to take responsibility and compensate him."

The moment he finished speaking, Kevin Parker and Thomas Carter both shot him furious looks.

The old fox had neatly shifted the blame away from himself.

Richard Collins immediately joined in.

"We were only trying to stop things from getting worse."

"Unfortunately, things got out of hand."

Ryan Williams almost laughed.

These old men really know how to protect themselves.

Not one of them wanted to accept responsibility.

Meanwhile, Elysia Smith stared at Ryan Williams with growing resentment.

The atmosphere she had worked so hard to create had been completely destroyed.

Every bit of sympathy she'd gathered was gone.

Damn him.

Even in this condition, he refuses to let me have a peaceful wedding.

Kevin Parker's eyes were bloodshot.

His gaze looked as though he wanted to cut Ryan Williams into pieces.

"Ryan Williams!"

"Why didn't you mention your injuries yesterday?"

His furious roar echoed across the courtyard.

Richard Collins quickly stepped forward.

"Ryan."

"Everyone acted rashly."

"We've all been neighbors for years."

"When your father was alive, we got along well."

"If this reaches the Security Department, nobody will come out looking good."

Director Brooks remained silent.

She understood what Richard Collins was trying to do.

She also understood something else.

Ryan Williams still had to live here.

Even if she stood up for him today, she couldn't protect him forever.

As for Ryan Williams, he had already achieved one of his goals.

Samantha Parker had been taken away.

The old woman who constantly spread rumors and poisoned people's minds had finally paid a price.

As for the others...

He couldn't destroy everyone in a single move.

The most practical choice now was to maximize his own benefit.

"Third Uncle."

"I was angry yesterday."

"And maybe I acted impulsively."

"But these injuries are real."

Richard Collins secretly let out a sigh of relief.

As long as Ryan Williams was willing to talk, there was room for negotiation.

Thomas Carter looked up.

"Ryan."

"What do you want?"

Ryan Williams slowly pushed himself upright.

His gaze swept across the crowd.

Andrew Fletcher glared at him coldly.

Jason Holt tried to avoid eye contact.

Neither escaped his notice.

He turned toward Director Brooks.

"Aunt Brooks."

"If this gets bigger, it won't benefit the courtyard."

"Samantha Parker has already been punished."

"My injuries will heal."

He lowered his head.

"But I don't even have money for treatment."

Director Brooks immediately stepped forward and held his arm.

"Ryan."

"You've suffered enough."

She turned toward the others.

"If compensation is what you want, then let's settle it clearly today."

"Right here."

"So there won't be any disputes later."

Her gaze swept across the crowd.

"And let me make something very clear."

"I may only be a director at the street office, but I still have connections."

"If anyone wants to test that, feel free."

The crowd immediately fell silent.

Even Andrew Fletcher didn't dare utter another word.

Director Sterling stepped forward.

"Ryan."

"Tell us who was involved."

Ryan Williams nodded.

His voice was calm but firm.

"Besides Kevin Parker, there were Jason Holt, Andrew Fletcher, Charles Cooper, and Edward Collins."

"They were the main ones."

"Especially Jason Holt."

"He's the one who injured my leg."

The named men immediately turned pale.

But Ryan Williams didn't care.

Since they had already become enemies, there was no reason to hold back.

"Kevin Parker."

"You already owe me money because of Elysia Smith."

"Now tell me."

"How much compensation are you offering?"

Kevin Parker opened his mouth but couldn't answer.

The family money had always been controlled by Samantha Parker.

Now she had been taken away.

He couldn't make decisions on his own.

Thomas Carter stepped in.

"Director Brooks."

"My apprentice was wrong."

"How about five dollars in compensation?"

"That should cover Ryan's medical expenses."

Director Brooks considered it and nodded.

"Fine."

Without hesitation, Thomas Carter took out twenty-five dollars and handed it to Ryan Williams.

"Take care of your injuries."

"We're all neighbors."

"We should still help each other when needed."

Ryan Williams accepted the money.

"Thank you, Uncle Carter."

His tone remained polite but distant.

Charles Cooper reluctantly handed over five dollars next.

Richard Collins's heart bled as he paid another five dollars on behalf of Edward Collins.

Five dollars was no small amount.

His family's monthly income was only twenty-seven and a half dollars.

Losing nearly a fifth of it was painful.

He silently decided that once Edward Collins started earning money, he would deduct the loss from him bit by bit.

Finally, all eyes turned toward Andrew Fletcher.

He clicked his tongue.

Five dollars wasn't much for him.

As a Grade Nine cook, he earned thirty-one and a half dollars a month.

On top of that, helping with weddings and banquets often brought extra income.

Still, giving money to Ryan Williams felt like swallowing a mouthful of broken glass.

With an ugly expression, he walked forward.

Without saying a word, he tossed five dollars into Ryan Williams's hand.

The money was paid.

But the hostility in his eyes remained.

It hadn't faded in the slightest.