Kevin Bolton stepped forward and sneered, “It’s true we borrowed money, but my mother only borrowed twenty taels. In less than a few months, you’re demanding forty-five taels with interest. Is there anywhere in the world with such outrageous interest rates?”

　　Thomas Johnson was an old hand; upon hearing Kevin Bolton’s words, he trembled with rage.

　　“Master Wan, don’t go too far. There have always been rules for lending money. The interest is at most three percent, and the annual interest can’t exceed double. Twenty taels of silver, and in just a few months it’s more than doubled. Are you trying to drive people to their deaths?”

　　Sam Thompson hurriedly stepped forward, chuckling coldly: “Uncle Qiao, you’re a sensible man. The court is the court, and we are who we are. You’re not young anymore, and you have a big family to feed. I advise you to be smart and stay out of the Zhang family’s business!”

　　Thomas Johnson glared furiously, shouting sternly, “I owe the Zhang family my life. If you want them dead, then I, Qiao, will fight you to the end!”

　　The old man was still tough!

　　Andrew Walker cursed inwardly, but he didn’t dare to truly offend Thomas Johnson. This man had been a soldier and a killer twenty years ago, infamous for his ferocity, and he had two sons at home who were said to be skilled fighters as well! The Zhang family wasn’t much to fear, but the Qiao family, poor yet unyielding, was a different story.

　　“Uncle Qiao, since things have come to this, I can’t refuse you some respect. I won’t ask for more—if the Zhang family can come up with thirty taels of silver right now, the debt is settled.”

　　Thirty taels! They couldn’t even come up with three!

　　Mrs. Sullivan said through blue lips, “Master Wan, the note says the debt is due in a year. The time isn’t up yet—can’t you give us a few more days?”

　　Andrew Walker curled his lips into a smile and said, “Mrs. Sullivan, don’t play dumb. When you borrowed the money, you said your son could pass the scholar’s exam, that’s why I lent it to you. But your son is a useless good-for-nothing, he can’t even—”

　　“Shut up! Don’t you dare insult Kevin!”

　　Her son was Mrs. Sullivan’s dearest treasure. Burning with anger, she forgot her fear and shouted, “What do you want? I borrowed the money, I’ll pay you back!”

　　“Pay it back? How? By weaving cloth and making shoes? What a joke, you can’t even cover the interest!” Andrew Walker suddenly sneered, “How about this—just like when you knelt and begged me for the loan, kneel down now, slap yourself, and if I’m pleased, maybe I’ll show some mercy.”

　　Mrs. Sullivan gritted her teeth, then suddenly dropped to her knees. She stretched out her rough hands and slapped her own cheeks hard.

　　Mother was actually using near self-mutilation, throwing her dignity to the wind! Kevin Bolton felt as if his heart was being gouged with a knife.

　　“Mother, they’re all heartless beasts. Don’t expect them to show any mercy. At worst, we’ll go down fighting.” Kevin Bolton grabbed his mother’s hand.

　　“Kevin, there are so many of them, you… you can’t beat them!” Mrs. Sullivan’s weathered face was swelling with fierce handprints.

　　“Mother, groveling isn’t how people should live! We can’t lose our dignity!”

　　He turned to glare at Andrew Walker and the others, shouting angrily, “Wan, draw your line!”

　　A sly grin, like a fox stealing a chicken, appeared on Andrew Walker’s lips as he said sinisterly, “I keep my word. I can’t let those slaps be for nothing. Your family is struggling, so actually, I can give you more time, maybe even forgive the debt. But I have just one small request—if you agree, everything can be settled.”

　　Kevin Bolton narrowed his eyes, saying nothing.

　　Andrew Walker glanced at Sam Thompson, who quickly stepped forward and said smugly, “Zhang Erlang, you don’t have to pay back debts with money. Some use land, some use houses, and some… use women! I’ll be blunt—our Master Wan has taken a liking to your little wife, that child bride. Hand her over and you’ll avoid disaster. Many people would beg for such a chance!”

　　Andrew Walker’s face was full of lecherous smiles as he continued, “Brother Zhang, your family is so poor, it’s a shame for such a fairy-like beauty. If you agree to give Miss Xu to me, first, our debt is wiped clean; second, your burden is lighter; third, Miss Xu will have a better life. See, I’ve brought so many brothers with me—if you refuse, I’ll just take her by force, hold the wedding, and consummate the marriage!”

　　So they were after his wife—unbelievable! In his previous life, he’d never even held a girl’s hand, and now he finally had a wonderful wife who didn’t care about house or car, only him. If they took her, he’d rather smash his head against a brick and die! It didn’t matter if they were the son of a mere hundred-household officer or even the emperor himself—no one could take her!

　　“Looking for death!” Kevin Bolton gripped the shovel, advancing step by step toward Andrew Walker like a furious leopard.

Chapter Three: Zhang Erlang Fights Desperately

　　Kevin Bolton locked his gaze on Andrew Walker, like a viper eyeing its prey. Andrew Walker stumbled back two or three steps, panicking, “You—you, what are you trying to do?”

　　“Wan, listen to me. The silver can be negotiated, and if the interest is reasonable, I’ll pay it back. But if you dare lay a finger on my woman, I’ll be your mortal enemy—we can’t both live under the same sky!”

　　The words “my woman” were bitten out by Kevin Bolton with deadly emphasis. Lucy Cloud clung tightly to Mrs. Sullivan, her hands gripping Mrs. Sullivan as tears welled up in her eyes.

　　“Mother, I’m the Zhang family’s daughter-in-law, and I always will be. Please don’t abandon me!”

　　“Good child, no one can separate us!”