Chapter 171 I'm Here for Justice!
<Chapter>Chapter 171 I'm Here for Justice! </Chapter>
In Marksville…
At the eastern end of town, the local convenience store doubled as a spot for playing cards and dominoes. This was the only shop of its kind in town, and every evening, it became a hub for villagers to gather, play games, and enjoy drinks and loud conversation.
Patrick played dominoes at one of the tables with three other guys from the village, a cigarette dangling from his lips and a half-empty beer by his feet.
Patrick wasn't well-regarded in the community, and those who associated with him were not exactly upstanding individuals. They were known troublemakers.
While playing and chatting, someone asked, "You were living it up in the city recently, Patrick. What brings you back to town all of a sudden?”
Exhaling a ring of smoke nonchalantly, Patrick replied, “Eh, I got bored in the city, so I thought I'd come back and have some fun with the guys."
"Oh, I heard someone tried to set you up with Widow Song from Little Hill? Man, she's fine. When are you going to seal the deal?"
The mention of Widow Song brought a glint of greed to Patrick's eyes, mixed with frustration, "Sure, Widow Song's tempting, but she's asking for an expensive wedding! A hundred grand and not a penny less. Where am I supposed to get that kind of money? Damn it!”
Someone rolled their eyes with a snide remark, "Can you believe that Widow Song still has the nerve to ask for a hundred thousand in an expensive wedding? She’s nearly forty! Word has it that she’s been with at least eighty men in Little Hill! She really gets around!"
"Heh heh! That may be true, but snagging Widow Song means you'd be rolling in the hay every day at home. A hundred grand would be a sweet deal! Hey Patrick, doesn't your ex work in the city? Why don't you just ask her for the money?"
Patrick snorted disdainfully. "Don't get me started on that harbinger of doom! Useless woman! She barely made a dime working all those years in the city! She wouldn't give me a cent and instead squandered it all on her damned daughter's education!"
Immediately, someone offered advice, "That's easy to fix. Just get her daughter to drop out of school! A young girl doesn’t have any future in books. She'd be better off marrying off early, having kids, and snagging an expensive wedding!"
Patrick's eyes lit up, and he nodded in agreement. His mind began to scheme. He’d make another trip to the city in a few days, persuade Julia to quit school, and set up a match for her. And just like that, the money for Widow Song would be in the bag.
What a treat!
Creak!
Just then, the store door swung open, and a young man walked in. The shopkeeper, seeing a new face, inquired, "Hey there, young man, what can I do for you?"
Ryder replied, "I'm not here to buy anything. I'm looking for someone."
"Who're you looking for?"
"A guy named Patrick."
As soon as he spoke, the bustling store fell silent. Everyone turned their curious gazes toward Ryder, wondering who this guy was and what he wanted with Patrick. After all, Patrick wasn't someone to be trifled with. Most folks would steer clear of him.
Patrick turned around, looking just as baffled, and said, "I'm Patrick. Who are you?"
Ryder looked him up and down. Patrick appeared to be of average build, with a thick neck, narrow eyes, and yellow-stained teeth—a sketchy character for sure.
"I'm Ryder."
"Ryder? Never heard of you. What do you want?"
Ryder got straight to the point with a cold question. "Did you, earlier this evening, slash Thelma Goldbranch with a knife?"
Patrick's expression changed instantly, revealing his shock as he stammered, "How... how did you know?"
At his words, a ripple of surprise went through the room. Patrick had injured his ex-wife? They all knew he was rough with Thelma, resorting to fists and shouting, but knives? That was unheard of. Using a knife meant intent to kill.
No wonder he had returned home so abruptly. He was on the run...
Patrick became uneasy as he felt the whispers and curious stares from the crowd. He furrowed his brow and retorted defensively, "This is about my family. What's it to you? I'd advise you to mind your own business, buddy."
Ryder replied coolly, "Thelma is someone I respect. How can you say it's none of my business?"
"Who is she to you?"
"Just think of me as her distant nephew. You hurt her today, and I'm here to seek justice for her!"
Patrick was stunned for a second before standing up, bursting into laughter. "Hahaha! You little punk. Do you even know who you're talking to? You want to seek justice from me, Patrick?
“Just ask around Mustang Ridge. Anyone who has crossed me knows their place. How dare you act tough in front of me? Looks like you have a death wish!"
Ryder's face remained impassive, and he coldly asked, "Have you figured out how you're going to make amends yet?"
Patrick spit on the ground. "Make amends, my ass! I'm not even scared of the cops. Why would I be scared of a runt like you? Believe me, I could end you tonight!”
Patrick had been drinking, and his eyes were bloodshot with rage—a truly intimidating sight.
The store owner realized that something was off. She worried that if Patrick lost it and did something rash to this young guy, her store would be the scene of the incident. She knew she would be caught up in the aftermath.
She immediately stepped in to plead with Ryder. "Listen, kid! Take my advice and get out of here. Forget about seeking justice. You can't handle Patrick! Just go! It’s for your own good!"
Then, turning to Patrick, she said, "Easy, Patrick! Let's call it off. Your cigarettes and beer tonight are on the house!"
Patrick revealed a stained, triumphant grin. "Hmph! We can settle this if he kneels and bangs his head on the ground three times to apologize! Otherwise, I'll smash his head with a beer bottle!"
His entourage, who were his close buddies, chimed in supportively, "He needs to apologize! He interrupted our hot streak at the table! We can’t let it slide just like that!"
"Kneel down, quick! You think you can show off in Mustang Ridge? Who do you think you are?"
"We'll lay him out flat! How dare he!"
The scene turned the store owner's face pale with fear.
She knew the kind of troublemakers Patrick and his crew were—reckless and relentless!
If things got out of hand, it would turn into a big mess!
She tried to reason with Ryder. "Maybe you should just kneel..."
Before she could finish, Ryder cut her off. "Ma'am, I appreciate your concern. Don't worry. This won't involve you or harm your store."
With that, he turned to Patrick and his group, his dark eyes narrowing, and said sharply, "If you guys even consider yourselves men, let’s take this outside. The store's too cramped. Otherwise, there might not be enough room for someone to start begging for mercy on their knees!"
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