The price of betrayal (Jack and Ashley) novel Chapter 462

"It's only thanks to us that this village and Village Enterprise have come this far. What do you, Nolan, have anything to do with it? But if you really want to bring us down, so be it. Village Enterprise will fall along with us, and everyone will lose their jobs. I'd like to see if these villagers will stand for that!"

Stefan stood tall on the stage, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of villagers. He spoke with cold authority, "Now, Nolan wants to destroy our livelihoods. I'll ask all of you—are you going to let him do that? If we fall, you'll lose everything. Do you accept—"

Before Stefan could finish, Ben seized the microphone and, in a voice thick with fury, said, "Nolan is envious of our success and wants to take advantage of it! That's why he's stirring up all this trouble, trying to take us down in one blow. I just want to ask all of you, dear villagers—are you going to stand for that?

"Mr. Gallant and I discussed this earlier, and we had plans to set aside 10% of the profits every year—at least three million dollars—to share with all of you. This would provide everyone with an additional source of income.

"Our goal is to improve the quality of life for everyone. But now, it seems that's no longer possible. So, I ask you all—will you let Nolan destroy Village Enterprise?"

When the villagers heard Stefan and Ben's words, especially the promise of at least three million dollars being divided among them each year, their eyes immediately reddened. They were filled with nothing but anger and hatred for Nolan.

They didn't care who had embezzled or taken bribes. That wasn't their concern, at least not in their eyes. But to lose their jobs and to forfeit their yearly benefits—that was personal.

"No! We absolutely don't agree! Let him burn him in hell with his fake evidence!"

"That's right! Mr. Stutton, Mr. Gallant, we won't listen to Nolan. You gave us our livelihoods, and we know it! Let Nolan die!"

"Yes, let Nolan die! We won't fall for his tricks. We know who we should be grateful to!"

"Nolan, you bastard! You just got out of prison, and now you want to destroy all of us? You're a scum! Get lost! The Greene family doesn't need people like you!"

Incited by Ben and Stefan's words, Nolan became the target of the villagers' wrath. They hurled curses and insults at him, and even those who remained silent couldn't hide their increasingly hostile glares.