Samuel Smithson's mouth curled into a smile because of Lucy Sullivan's action, while Albert Hudson was stunned by her words.
I am just worried about you. After all, we grew up together and are considered family here,"Albert said eloquently.
After he finished speaking, someone in the crowd muttered, "I think this Albert guy isn't a good person either; obviously playing both sides. He accused Samuel Smithson of rape and then plays victim first."
With that, the villagers began to discuss the matter.
After all, they had watched Samuel Smithson grow up, and though they deliberately kept their distance from him because of the older generation's affairs, they obviously trusted him more than Albert Hudson, an outsider.
"That's right, Samuel doesn't talk much, but he wouldn't do something like this. I think Albert is just sour grapes and is blaming Samuel."
"He really says one thing and does another, claiming to be family! A few days ago, during his engagement to Eleanor Thompson, he told Ms. Lucy not to pester him in front of everyone, but now that she's married, he's the one pestering her."
"You're right! This is the classic example of wanting the best of both worlds!"
Albert blushed with embarrassment from the crowd's words, knowing deep down that he didn't want Lucy to get married, but he couldn't just admit to the villagers' accusations.
"Everyone, listen. When I left home, I promised Lucy's parents that I would take care of her here. Now seeing her marrying a despicable person, I feel guilty for failing to fulfill this promise and want to save her. There's nothing going on between us emotionally, and my heart is only for Eleanor Thompson."
In fact, Albert didn't originally plan to add the last sentence, but he suddenly saw the Village Secretary in the crowd and felt his legs go weak at the sight.
Though he desired Lucy's body and wealth, he cared more about the prospects and future Ethan Thompson could bring him.
"And everyone knows Samuel Smithson's family situation. He couldn't possibly afford all those things he bought from town today. He must have forced Lucy to buy them for him, isn't that cheating her? Everyone should have a conscience and not allow a fellow villager to bully us outsiders."
With that, Albert put himself on a moral high ground, and indeed, some villagers started to question Samuel Smithson's purchases.
"Besides, from the beginning to the end, Samuel hasn't said anything. Isn't this because he's ashamed and admits to what I said?"
Lucy rolled her eyes while listening to Albert's impassioned speech. 'How did Albert become the original male protagonist with such poor character?'
She stopped Samuel from speaking up and took out a neatly folded paper, waving it at Albert with an inexplicable smile on her face.
At first, Albert didn't pay attention, but the more he looked at the paper, the more familiar it seemed.
After some thought, he finally remembered it was the IOU he wrote to Lucy yesterday, and he was horrified.
He didn't know why Lucy would take out the IOU now, but instinct told him he must keep his mouth shut, or things could get worse.
Seeing Albert finally quiet down, Lucy turned to the villagers and said, "My fellow villagers, since you grew up with Samuel in the same village, you must know him even better than I do. He is honest and hardworking and always frugal. Everything we bought today for our wedding was bought with his own money. As for me, I've already used up all my money before."
After saying this, she used the IOU as a fan while smirking at Albert when no one was looking.
"Ahem, what are you all doing here instead of working?" A strong, slightly aged voice came from the crowd, and everyone looked over.
Lucy pursed her lips; Ethan Thompson looked so righteous on the surface, and he had been watching everything unfold. Now, he pretended not to know anything.
From the moment Albert saw Ethan Thompson, he lowered his head deeply.
Lucy remembered that the person Albert feared most in the novel was his future father-in-law, though the book used the term 'respect.'
"Albert, what are you doing here!" Ethan Thompson glanced at Lucy disdainfully and asked Albert, who was acting like a quail.
Albert stammered for a long time but couldn't come up with an answer.
"Branch Secretary, Brother Albert, as a neighbor, was worried about me and had some misunderstandings about my husband. But we've cleared everything up now," Lucy timely stepped in with a polite smile on her face, knowing that they should try not to offend Ethan Thompson for the time being.