Chapter 673: Chapter 673: The Dungeon

"You’re lying."

An old woman jumped to her feet, trying to stop Evelyn Ford from speaking. Evelyn gave a gentle smile. "Officer, you see? They’re getting flustered. They have the nerve to do it, but not to admit it. And now they’re trying to stop me from telling the truth."

The stern-faced man was speechless. He glanced at the old woman, his tone icy. "Quiet. Let her speak for now. There will be plenty of time for your statement later."

"Go on," he said to Evelyn. "Tell me everything, and be honest. If there’s a single lie, I’ll have you thrown in the base’s prison."

"Understood." Evelyn’s expression was fearless.

"It started a while ago. My family applied to the Courtyard’s service area to build a private toilet, and our request was approved. After the toilet was finished, vicious rumors began to spread around the courtyard, saying that we had bribed the service area. It got even worse, with some claiming the women of my family were having improper relations with the management. I didn’t pay it much mind at first. After all, some people are just stupid and malicious, spreading lies out of jealousy. I’ve always tried to be patient with such simple-minded, brain-dead morons. But my patience wasn’t rewarded. The rumors escalated, and some of the things being said became truly vile."

Evelyn Ford paused for a moment, then looked at the old man and women on the floor. "And then today, I personally caught the ones who started it all, the ones spreading these malicious lies. In ancient times, people who slandered others and spread rumors to deceive the public would have their tongues torn out and their teeth smashed. But since we’re on the base, I had no choice but to bring them here to be dealt with by the authorities."

One look at the expressions on the faces of the old folks, and the stern-faced man knew Evelyn Ford was telling the truth.

"The base has a regulation, which is posted in the main square even now. It states that no one—regardless of gender, age, status, or past contributions to the base—is permitted to maliciously slander, malign, or defame another person. Anyone caught doing so will be punished without mercy."

"Officer, you can’t punish us! Their family used special privileges to build that toilet—they’re the only ones in the whole courtyard! I’m reporting them for abusing their power for personal gain! And besides, she doesn’t respect her elders! She dragged us here, beat us with a whip, and stomped on our hands with her feet!"

"I will investigate whether her family abused their power, but that is no excuse for you to start rumors. And obscene rumors, no less! All of you, how old are you? At your age, can’t you have a shred of moral decency? Your actions don’t just bully a young woman; they also slander the base’s leadership. Your intentions are utterly contemptible. Your families will suffer the consequences of your actions as well. You’ve lived your whole lives and still can’t control those filthy mouths? The young lady was right. In ancient times, this would have cost you your tongues."

After lecturing the old-timers, the stern-faced man turned to Evelyn Ford. "And you. You’re young, but you have quite a temper. Base regulations forbid carrying weapons, and they certainly don’t permit assaulting people."

Evelyn Ford smiled. "Officer, I didn’t hurt them. My whip never even touched them. I just wanted to bring them here so you could deliver justice, but they refused to cooperate. As a last resort, I had to tie them up with a rope to get them here. During that process, I did absolutely nothing to injure them."

’Even if I had, I would never admit it.’

"Bullshit! You stomped on my hand just now! Officer, look at my hand! This is the proof!"

The old man held up his red, swollen hand, not forgetting to shoot a glare at Evelyn Ford.

Evelyn Ford nodded. "I did step on it, but only because I lost my balance. It’s all your fault for slandering me. I was so furious I nearly fainted, and that’s when I accidentally stepped on you. It’s called karmic retribution, you know?"

Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Evelyn Ford to be such a master of sophistry.

"So, can we now address the matter of them slandering my family? Officer, do you need witnesses? The neighbors watching the commotion outside can all testify for me."

The gawking neighbors...

"Take them to the base prison for now. This matter requires further investigation and evidence gathering."

"If their children really are high-ranking officials, will this matter just be swept under the rug?" After Evelyn Ford asked her question, a dead silence fell over the area. Everyone thought she was insane to dare ask such a thing in front of everyone.

The stern-faced man’s already dark expression grew even darker with anger. "No. The base has always been fair. We will not wrong an innocent person, nor will we let a guilty one go free."

Evelyn Ford smiled and nodded. "Then I’m relieved. Once this matter is resolved, I will be sure to send a commemorative banner to our service area to thank you, Officer, for clearing my family’s name."

"Don’t celebrate too soon. I still have to investigate whether your family did, in fact, abuse its power. If you did, your entire family will be subject to investigation and punishment."

"No problem. I’ll cooperate with the investigation."

As Evelyn Ford left the service area, a smile played on her lips. The neighbors trailing behind her watched her back and, as if by unspoken agreement, shivered.

"That family is not to be trifled with, and that woman is a real piece of work. Everyone, be careful from now on. Don’t get involved with them. It’s terrifying... she got all those old folks thrown in prison and walked away without a scratch. I’m telling you, the connections that family has must be powerful."

"Are you still talking? What if she hears you and sends you to prison too?"

Terrified, the small group clamped their hands over their mouths and scurried away. A smirk tugged at Evelyn Ford’s lips as she strolled leisurely back toward the courtyard.

Back in the wooden cabin inside her dimension, Evelyn Ford told everyone what had happened.

"Holy shit! Why didn’t you tell us about something like this? They didn’t hurt you, did they?"

"Yeah, you should have called us! We could have gone and beaten the hell out of those goddamn bastards! How dare they slander us like that! Those good-for-nothing old dogs."

Quincy and Wyatt Vaughn were both livid. The others were calmer, but their eyes, when they looked at Evelyn Ford, were filled with worry and tension.

Evelyn Ford dusted off her hands. "I’m fine. How could they possibly get the better of me? Don’t worry, I’ve already sent those old folks to the base prison. If they dare to spout nonsense and spread filthy rumors, they’d better be prepared for me to deal with them."

"Those people are just awful. Spreading rumors behind people’s backs is disgusting. At their age, you’d think they’d be afraid of their tongues rotting in their mouths."

"Don’t be angry. I got my revenge today, and I feel great. But I think I’ve made quite a name for myself. On the way back, I heard people behind me giving me nicknames—things like ’the ogress’ and ’the tigress’. I bet the adults in the courtyard will start using my name to scare their kids."

Evelyn Ford found the thought amusing, but the others couldn’t laugh. Especially Ronan Kendrick.

"Evelyn, leave this to me. I’ll go find Mr. Chase tomorrow. I’ll make sure those people pay for what they did."

Evelyn Ford waved a hand dismissively. "There’s no rush. The service area still has to conduct its investigation. It’ll be a while before we get a result."

"They won’t just be released, will they?"

"I doubt it. I have faith in the base. After all, with food so scarce, they won’t want to waste resources feeding a bunch of useless freeloaders."

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