The Billionaire Twins Need A New Mommy! novel Chapter 574

Chapter 574: Strangers

[Gigante]

The townsfolk were gathered in the town’s small square. It was something unusual, a sharp contrast to the chaos that normally unfolded here.

"Down!"

A man’s shout echoed through the area as he shoved an elderly man to the ground. Those already crouched in the square rushed toward him, helping him up and checking on his condition.

"Tsk." The man who had pushed him clicked his tongue at the pitiful sight. "You... you are so fucking dead."

His gaze swept over the haggard faces around him. They stared back quietly. None of them showed fear, nor anger, nor defiance. Just blank, hollow eyes.

That only irritated him further.

"Motherfuckers," he hissed, then snapped his head toward his colleagues. "Move fast!" he barked. "Get all these pathetic traitors in here!"

He smirked, cocking his head back as he looked down at them. "Want to know why you’re here?"

No one answered. But this time, curiosity flickered in their eyes.

Before the man could continue, the elderly man he had shoved earlier lifted his head weakly.

"Good sir," the old man’s voice trembled. "Why are you doing this to us? We’ve already paid this month’s contribution to the governor."

The words hung heavily in the air.

Their brows knitted while a few frowns appeared. Still, none of them believed this would turn deadly. Perhaps just another beating, another spectacle they were forced to endure.

After all, Gigante had never failed to pay on time.

Even so, the money they gave each month for "protection" only spared them from unnecessary deaths. It never guaranteed safety if one of them crosses a line.

The man chuckled, licking his lips as he slowly crouched in front of the elderly man.

"Because the governor said..." he paused, leaning closer so the old man could hear every word, "...that he doesn’t need a town like Gigante anymore."

That finally broke them.

Everyone’s eyes widened, their faces drained of color, and their minds struggled to process what they had just heard.

"What...?" a young woman whispered. "Gigante... is—"

"That’s right!" The man rose to his feet, eyes gleaming with malice. "The governor has been lenient. Merciful towards all of you. And because of that, people like you think you can take advantage of it."

No one spoke, but their hearts swelled with bitterness. Merciful? Lenient? Take advantage of the governor? How were they taking advantage of the man who has everyone here in his mercy?

Yet, all they could do was stare at him.

"What that old lady did," the man continued, shaking his head as his hand rested on the rifle strapped to his body, "is something the governor can no longer overlook. So don’t blame him—or me—for being unmerciful. If anything, blame that hag for your deaths." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

As he said that, the townspeople’s gazes shifted.

At the edge of the square, a man carried an unconscious elderly woman over his shoulder. Without hesitation, he tossed her into the back of a truck like a sack of grain. There was no gentleness—none at all.

That was the same man who had punched her earlier, knocking her out in a single blow.

"Granny Himari..." one resident whispered, covering her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes—unsure whether she should fear her own fate or worry for the old woman from the brothel.

The men clenched their teeth, fists tightening until they trembled.

Finally, emotions surfaced on their faces, something the man gathering them here found amusing.

"That’s right," he mocked. "You should’ve reported what that hag was doing. If only someone here had spoken up, none of this would’ve happened. But alas—"

"We don’t even know what’s happening!" someone cried out. "How could we report something we didn’t know?!"

The man scowled. "Then that’s your fault for being ignorant."

A suffocating silence followed his roar.

"What?" he scoffed, raising his rifle and pressing its muzzle into a man’s shoulder. "You glaring at me? Got a death wish?"

The man in the square didn’t look away. His eyes burned with rage, unflinching despite the threat.

"Heh."

A short laugh came out of the person under the governor, and then—

BANG!

BANG!

"I’ll think about it," he said, smirking as his gaze slid toward a little girl in her mother’s arms.

The mother stiffened and instinctively moved, trying to shield her daughter.

"Please... not her," the woman whispered, shaking her head. "I—I can—" Her voice broke as she stepped forward, placing herself in front of her child. "Do whatever you want to me. Just... spare my daughter."

"And what makes you think anyone wants anything to do with someone like you?" the man sneered, clearly recognizing her.

His answer made her face go pale. All she could do was tremble and hold her daughter, her heart hammering against her chest.

"Well." He hummed, scanning the square as some men stepped protectively in front of the women. Children were pushed farther back. Everyone knew men like these were nothing but animals wearing human skin.

"Maybe I can talk to the governor," he mused, rubbing his chin. "See if he’s willing to reconsider."

But before he could continue...

"Boss! We found some people hiding!"

"Huh?" He turned and saw his men dragging three captives forward.

He was about to dismiss them when his gaze landed on the woman among the three.

His eyes narrowed.

With a crook of his finger, he ordered them closer. Once his subordinates arrived, holding three captives with the woman among them, a shallow scoff escaped him.

"You..." He pinched her chin, tilting her face. "Well, well. What do we have here?"

He smirked at the townsfolk. "Who would’ve thought Gigante was hiding such a beauty?"

Despite her dirt-streaked face and worn clothes, his eyes gleamed with interest.

"And you look fierce too," he added. "Seems Gigante hasn’t lost all its appeal."

But unlike him, whose desire was plain, confusion filled the townspeople’s eyes.

They stared at the three captives. Those three wore the same type of clothing, but these three... were strangers.