Chapter 464 Punishment
The word about Jared rolling back into Smith Village spread like wildfire. In no time, everyone knew the ex-con was back in town.
Even though Jared was back, nobody gave him any respect until the authorities officially cleared his name. A rapist was hated both behind bars and out in the world.
Not long after Jared got home, a bunch of villagers showed up to see what was going down.
"Well, look who's back! Too bad you didn't rot in prison longer. Now that you're out, whose daughter are you gonna mess with next?"
"I better keep an eye on my girl. Don't want her getting harassed."
"Spread the word, folks. Everyone needs to be on guard."
If Ethan hadn't cleared Jared's name today, that rapist label would've stuck to him for life. Harsh but true.
"My son was framed! How dare you come to my house and say that crap? Got any decency?" Gerald, fuming, pointed at the nosy neighbors.
"What did we do wrong? Can't talk about a rapist? He did the crime, now he’s gotta face the talk. You say he was framed, but how'd he serve eight years without a reduced sentence if he was innocent? Who you trying to fool?" Donna Martin sneered.
"Enough! Whether I'm a rapist or framed, it's none of your damn business. This is my house, and you're not welcome. Now get out," Jared, face dark with anger, stood up, grabbed a broom, and yelled at the crowd.
"Are you gonna hit me? Planning to go back to jail? The rapist is gonna hit me! Come and see!" Donna started shouting dramatically, trying to humiliate Jared.
Just as Jared was about to charge, Ethan put a hand on his shoulder.
Jared felt a chill and couldn't move. He looked at Ethan, surprised.
"Not worth it for a loudmouth like her," Ethan chuckled.
"Who are you calling a loudmouth? Got any manners?" Donna, face red with rage, yelled at Ethan.
"Say one more word, and I'll make sure you never speak again," Ethan's face turned serious.
"Get out, get out of my house now!" Gerald's face changed. He was mad too, but he knew Ethan meant business and could make Donna suffer, not just shut her up, but make her disappear without a trace.
"Oh, so you're all ganging up on me? Everyone, see this? The Smith family is bullying people, Jared..." Donna didn't take Ethan's threat seriously. Hearing Gerald also telling her to leave, she shouted even louder.
But after just a couple of shouts, Donna suddenly found her throat tightening, and no matter how much she moved her mouth, no sound came out.
Ethan hadn't moved an inch, or if he had, no one noticed. At least, no one here could tell.
"Donna, what's wrong?" The villagers, seeing Donna unable to speak, looked shocked and then turned their astonished gazes to Ethan.
"Was it you? What kind of witchcraft did you use on her?" One man pointed at Ethan and questioned.
"I warned her, and she didn't listen. How is that my fault? Did anyone see me do anything?" Ethan coldly laughed.
Everyone looked shocked. Indeed, Ethan hadn't touched Donna.
"Ethan, we're all neighbors. We meet each other every day. Let's just let it go, okay?" Gerald, feeling soft-hearted, spoke up. He had witnessed Ethan's mysterious abilities, which these villagers couldn't comprehend.
Emily and Jared also knew it was Ethan's doing, but they didn't speak up, clearly still angry at Donna.
At this moment, Donna, full of fear, knelt before Ethan, pointing at her mouth, unable to say a word.
"Consider this a lesson. Go home and kneel at your door. If you stay there until nightfall, maybe your voice will return," Ethan said calmly to Donna. He had only done a little trick to make her lose her voice for a few hours. She would recover soon.
Donna, terrified, quickly turned and ran home, kneeling at her door. She didn't want to be mute forever, so kneeling was a small price to pay.
"Is this appropriate?" Gerald looked at Ethan, concerned.
"I think it's very appropriate. People like her need a lesson," Jessie said calmly.
The remaining neighbors, seeing what happened to Donna, quickly shut their mouths, looking at Ethan with fear. They didn't want to end up kneeling at their doors.
"What are you still doing here?" Jared, looking at the villagers, coldly snorted.
The crowd quickly dispersed, not daring to stay any longer.
"Gerald, Emily, Jared's case is clear now, and it's only a matter of time before he's exonerated. But given the current situation, why don't you move to Bankgok? It would save you a lot of trouble," Jessie suggested to Gerald.
"Living in the city would be great, but we couldn't afford it." Gerald shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Money is not a problem. This card should be enough for you to live comfortably in Bankgok. Consider it a gift for you," Ethan said, handing a bank card to Gerald.
"I can't take your money." Gerald quickly refused. Ethan had already done them a huge favor today.
"Gerald, Jared, come out!" At that moment, a woman's voice came from outside. Ethan knew it was Michelle.
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