Goodbye, My Love

Unaccustomed to such rebuke, Eloise was taken aback, eager to defend herself.

However, Judie continued her tirade, “Not only that, Mrs. Harvey has also obstructed our attempts at further development! She even hired some unknown outsiders to harm my people and chase them away! The construction team was livid! Can you envision our future under such conditions? No one will assist us in developing our village.”

Eloise snapped back, “Lies! It’s you who intend to bulldoze the orphanage! I’ve said it before, I’m not opposed to development, but I refuse to relinquish the Land without a suitable plan in place for the children!”

Judie retorted, “How have I not provided suitable arrangements? Haven’t

I mentioned it already? I’ll send the children where they belong.

You’re the one who’s being difficult!”

Hearing this, the villagers, unaware of the reality, began to question their stance. After all, the children in the orphanage weren’t theirs, and their interests might not align with the villagers’ personal gain.

Just as the atmosphere began to thicken, Loraine’s calm and clear voice sliced through the tension.

“So, in your perspective, handing children over to human traffickers is considered suitable arrangements? If anyone here is in dire need of money, perhaps you could suggest they sell their own children first?”

As Loraine finished speaking, the villagers erupted into a tumult of whispers and exclamations.

They were firm believers in the old adage, “the more children, the more blessings.” They had never contemplated selling their children, much less exploiting orphans for profit.

A N G E L A ‘s L I B R A R Y

The very idea of profiting from the sale of children was diametrically opposed to their core values and moral principles.

Every eye turned to Judie, their expressions demanding an explanation.

“Judie, is what she says true?”

“Selling children is an abominable act! I refuse to be involved in such a thing!”

“I can’t take part in such a ruthless scheme. I’m out!”

A shade of pallor spread over Judie’s face as she glowered at Loraine, attempting to deflect the allegations.

“It’s obviously not true. You all know what kind of person Loraine is, how can you trust her words?”

Judie had previously orchestrated a smear campaign against Loraine that had tarnished her reputation in the village. Loraine was perceived as a woman who liaised with an affluent man, bore an illegitimate child, and then left. Every claim struck a raw nerve with the conservative villagers, rendering her an object of contempt.

Consequently, the villagers’ initial disbelief towards Judie’s accusations wavered, with some turning their attention to Loraine, asking, “Are you really Loraine from the orphanage? Why have you returned after all these years?”Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Seizing this moment of uncertainty, Judie provoked, “You can’t trust

Loraine. She was the mistress of a rich man, and left the orphanage for the luxurious Life of the city. Now that she’s been discarded, she’s trying to sabotage us and prevent us from making money!”

Judie’s remarks partially swayed some villagers, leading to skeptical glances directed at Loraine.