Chapter 394
The cloth bag was yanked open violently, its contents clattering to the ground.
A blinding golden glare instantly pierced everyone's eyes.
"This... this is..."
Mr. Wang, standing at the front, staggered and nearly collapsed to his knees. His trembling finger pointed at the pile of gold bars on the floor, his voice cracking. "I've never seen so much gold in my life!"
A wave of murmurs erupted through the crowd.
Someone began counting on their fingers. "At market price, one gold bar... there must be at least a hundred here..."
"Master Xingyun!" A bald middle-aged businessman suddenly threw himself at the abbot. "Is it too late for me to take monastic vows?"
Master Xingyun's face had turned ashen.
His gaze locked onto Cloud Spirit, his voice hoarse with fury. "Where... did all this come from?"
Cloud Spirit's legs trembled uncontrollably.
He hadn't expected his scheme to unravel so quickly—let alone be exposed by a woman he'd just met.
"I... I..."
"Seems you've been helping yourself to the temple's donations too?" Evelyn Roland's voice floated over, light and mocking.
Cloud Spirit jerked his head up, meeting those faintly amused eyes.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" he snapped, his neck stiff with defiance. "This is my personal savings!"
Evelyn smiled.
That smile sent a chill down his spine.
"Stubbornness won't save you," she said leisurely. "I have ways to make you talk."
Sebastian Valdemar snapped his fingers.
Two men in black immediately dragged forward a disheveled monk.
"Cloud Summit?!" Master Xingyun swayed, nearly fainting.
Forced to his knees, Cloud Summit still protested. "All temple incense is purchased through proper channels! Don't slander us, Miss Roland!"
Evelyn's boot pressed lightly onto the back of his hand.
"How interesting," she mused, tilting her head. "Such loyalty. Who are you protecting?"
Her gaze swept over the crowd before settling on Isabella Langley and Oliver Valrose.
"Surely not my dear sister and her fiancé?"
Oliver's face drained of color.
Isabella forced composure. "What are you implying, sister? I've never met these monks."
"Just a joke." Evelyn chuckled, withdrawing her gaze. "Why so tense?"
Isabella's nails dug into her palms. Tears welled in her eyes, but no retort came.