Lily Evans's Trap

In the middle of the night, Ernie Lee tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. The more he thought about Belle, the more he ground his teeth in hatred. Suddenly, he heard someone knocking at the door. Muttering curses, he opened it and found Eugene Jr. from Lily Evans's house standing outside with a food box.

"Yo, what are you doing here?" Ernie Lee leaned lazily against the doorway, eyeing Eugene Jr. up and down.

Eugene Warren swallowed his anger and replied, "Miss Belle sent me."

"What, that bitch Belle sent you?" Ernie Lee's eyes lit up at the news. He grinned smugly, "I knew Belle was only tough for a moment. She's already my woman, no man will want her now. Why keep acting so high and mighty? If she'd been this obedient sooner, it'd all be fine!"

Eugene Warren shoved the food box into Ernie Lee's hands with a dark expression. "Belle made this for you—there's wine and meat. She said to eat your fill and then go to the wooden hut at the edge of the village. She has something to say to you."

Ernie Lee gleefully opened the food box and saw a jug of good wine and a plate of braised meat. He started drooling instantly, gulping down the wine and stuffing his mouth. "Heh, Belle really knows how to please. Once I've eaten and drunk my fill, I'll have plenty of energy to enjoy my Belle tonight."

Eugene Jr. watched Ernie Lee in silence, a flash of murderous intent flickering in his eyes: Let him have one last good meal now!

Then, with long strides, Eugene Jr. left Ernie Lee's house and headed back to Evans Manor.

After eating and drinking his fill, Ernie Lee checked the time. Seeing it was right, he swaggered off toward the wooden hut at the edge of the village under the cover of darkness.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Silver had been invited to Lily Evans's room for a drink. Mrs. Silver was flattered and drank three cups in a row, excitedly saying, "Madam, I'm glad you've come around. Tomorrow, we'll send Hannah Lee back, and Belle and Ernie Lee do make a good match. We won't be the ones to break up a pair of lovebirds..."

Granny Silver kept muttering to herself, but her eyelids grew heavier and heavier. Her head drooped, and before long, she slipped into a deep sleep.

Lily Evans watched Granny Silver with a cold smile, snapped her fingers, and Eugene Jr. came in from outside with a cloth sack. He stuffed Granny Silver inside, and together with Lily Evans and Uncle Arthur, took advantage of the darkness to carry her to the wooden hut at the edge of the village and tossed her onto the haystack.

The three of them slipped outside and hid behind a tree. Lily Evans asked Eugene Warren, "Eugene Jr., is everything set up?"

Eugene Warren nodded, indicating that everything was ready and in place.

The three crouched behind the tree for a while, watching as Ernie Lee staggered over, tugging at his own collar and cursing under his breath, "Damn, why is it so hot? When I see that Belle later, I’m gonna vent all this fire!"

Ernie Lee entered the hut, which was pitch black inside. He could just make out a woman sleeping on the haystack. Instantly, his lust flared—his blood raced, and calling out, "Belle, darling!" he pounced on her.

Soon, unpleasant noises echoed from inside the wooden hut…

At dawn, Ernie Lee was hugging 'Belle' and snoring away when—bang! The hut door was kicked open. Eugene Jr. and Arthur Evans burst in with a dozen burly men wielding sticks.

"Well, well, Ernie Lee! Caught in the act of adultery!" Eugene Jr. swung his stick hard at Ernie Lee, who howled like a slaughtered pig, "How dare you hit me! I was just sleeping with my wife Belle—why are you beating me?"

"Pah! Shameless scum—you still dare to slander Belle at a time like this!" The village chief strode in, face dark with anger, followed by several villagers.