The Guest Who Disappeared Into The Night
The opponent of the business
CHAPTER 14 - THE OPPONENT OF THE BUSINESS
Outside of Mr. Harris's office, ground floor, 15 July, 4:07 p.m.
Everyone looks astonished at Terence Westley, who has just accused Mr. Harris of being the one who will offend him in the future.
What exactly is the middle-aged man on about?
Gregory Harris
I don't know what that is supposed to mean!
Gregory Harris
Is that some kind of joke?
Gregory Harris
I'm not laughing!
Mr. Harris looks at the aggressive villager angrily.
Gregory Harris
Look, Mister.
Gregory Harris
I don't even know you.
Gregory Harris
In fact, I have completely no knowledge of your village.
Gregory Harris
So how will it be possible for my wife or I to offend you in the future?!
Dennis Freeman lets go of Terence Westley's right arm slowly.
Dennis Freeman
Terence, please.
Dennis Freeman
Please don't cause a scene...
Terence Westley
And you...
The middle-aged villager looks down at Fred Maxwell's arms, which are still hugging his waist tightly.
Terence Westley
You can let go now, Fred.
Fred Maxwell releases his arms and Terence Westley looks back at Mr. Harris.
Terence Westley
You're right.
Terence Westley
We don't know each other.
Terence Westley
But I happen to know the previous owner of this house!
No one says a word. But Bryan can see that Mrs. Harris is also getting annoyed.
Shannon Harris
You know the previous owner, so what?
Shannon Harris
What difference will it make, Mr. Westley?
Shannon Harris
My husband and I bought the house legally!
Terence Westley
Shut up, Isaac!
Terence Westley
*Points at Mr. Kenley angrily*
Terence Westley
You traitor!
Terence Westley
Mrs. Wilson treated you well, and what did you do?
Terence Westley
You let these...
Terence Westley
*Nods at the Harrises*
Terence Westley
...City slickers take over her house that easily?
Isaac Kenley
Whatever Mrs. Wilson chose to do has nothing to do with me, Terence.
Isaac Kenley
You can't blame me.
Terence Westley
You could have stopped her, Kenley!
Terence Westley
YOU could have tried to talk her out of it!
The two village teens can't keep their cool and swiftly join in on the heated argument.
David Andrews
Come on, Uncle Terence!
David Andrews
Uncle Isaac does have a point!
Samantha Reed
When Grandma Wilson has decided to do something, nobody can change her mind!
Terence Westley
*Points at the teens*
Terence Westley
Be quiet and let the adults handle things!
Samantha Reed
We're actually---
Fred Maxwell
You're still children.
Samantha Reed
*Stomps furiously on the floor*
Samantha Reed
Stupid grown-ups...!
Everyone looks surprised at the young private investigator.
Pan Mei-Hua
Really, this HAS become a "chicken farm."
Pan Mei-Hua
*Looks at Terence*
Pan Mei-Hua
Mr. Westley, I'm going to give you a chance---
Terence Westley
Excuse me, but who are you to tell me what to do?
Terence Westley
Are you the owner, or what?
Terence Westley
If you're not, then---
Pan Mei-Hua
I'm warning you!
Terence Westley
What if I---?
Shannon Harris
If you value your life, you better not piss off this young lady.
Terence Westley
And why would I be afraid of this short foreigner?
Mei-Hua feels an unpleasant feeling going down her spine.
Not only is Terence Westley an unpleasant and aggressive person, but apparently he's also a xenophobe!
The other villagers gasp.
Fred Maxwell
No, you didn't...
Terence Westley
Oh yes, I did!
Gregory Harris
You really have some nerve, Mister.
Shannon Harris
Don't you feel any shame?!
Terence Westley
Why should I?
Terence Westley
Come on, people!
Terence Westley
Are we really gonna let city slickers and foreigners come to our lands and ruin everything?
Terence Westley
Are we really gonna let them do anything they want with Mrs. Wilson's house?
Terence Westley
And why do you protect this small foreigner so much?
Without caring about Dennis and Fred, Terence begins to walk around Mei-Hua.
Mei-Hua doesn't say anything, but she's aware that he's almost standing behind her.
Terence Westley
What can you all do if I---?
Mei-Hua realises that Terence is planning to make an indecent move with his left hand.
But before his hand can touch her, Mei-Hua quickly grabs it.
Mei-Hua swiftly forces Terence's hand backwards, and she's now holding his forearm tightly behind his back!
The middle-aged woodcutter begins screaming in pain.
Terence Westley
What are y---?!
Terence Westley
Release me at once, you---!
Terence Westley
Ow, ow, ow!!!
She remembers the times when her classmates were harassed in public by male strangers.
She remembers the times when she was ostracised by people because of her ethnic and cultural background.
While the people around them are shrieking, Mei-Hua hears Terence calling her slurs.
Pan Mei-Hua
You underestimate people too much!
Mei-Hua suddenly gives a strong push, and Terence falls forward down on the floor.
Terence lands in front of the Harrises.
Mrs. Harris kneels down to help Terence up, but he ignores her help and goodwill.
Terence rises to a sitting position and remains on the floor.
Terence Westley
I don't need your help!
Shannon Harris
You know, I did try to warn you.
Shannon Harris
So it kind of serves you right.
Shannon Harris
Especially when we're living in this modern age!
The two teenagers look at Mei-Hua with awe.
Samantha Reed
She's so cool...!
Samantha Reed
And she's a girl!
Samantha Reed
Who aren't afraid of grown-ups bigger than her!
The other villages look stunned at Mei-Hua.
Fred Maxwell
Dennis, remind me not to anger her.
Dennis Freeman
Yeah, I heard you.
Patricia Maxwell
*Doesn't utter a word but looks at Mei-Hua in appreciation*
Mei-Hua walks towards Terence and offers him her hand.
Terence doesn't take her hand but rises from the floor by himself.
Terence Westley
*Looks at Mei-Hua angrily*
Terence Westley
What do you want, foreigner?!
Pan Mei-Hua
I want peace between us.
Pan Mei-Hua
I only acted in self-defense.
Pan Mei-Hua
I have no interest in injuring anyone.
Bryan walks towards Terence and Mei-Hua.
Bryan Dawson
You know, Mr. Westley.
Bryan Dawson
You kind of started this.
Bryan Dawson
If you could just calm down---
Shannon Harris
NO, YOU SHUT UP!
Terence looks surprised at Mrs. Harris's outburst.
Shannon Harris
Miss Pan here is our private investigator.
Shannon Harris
She wanted to give you a chance to explain to us why you're so against our business.
Shannon Harris
But you just had to do it your way...
Shannon Harris
...And showed us your backward way of thinking!
Terence Westley
What's this?
Terence Westley
This short lassie - a private investigator?!
Terence Westley
What kind of world are we living in today?
Terence continues laughing.
Isaac Kenley
Miss Pan, I'll apologise in Terence's stead.
Isaac Kenley
Terence is very conservative and...
Pan Mei-Hua
Yes, I've noticed.
Terence Westley
...Beaten, by a short foreigner!
Terence Westley
*Shakes his head*
Gregory Harris
Well, Mister?
Gregory Harris
Are you going to tell us why you're so against us?
Terence Westley
*Looks at Mr. Harris*
Terence Westley
Yeah, sure, why not?
Terence Westley
Now that you have that woman on your side, why wouldn't I tell you all about everything?
Pan Mei-Hua
I suggest that we go back to the office before the other guests...
Gregory Harris
I agree, Miss Pan.
Mr. Harris walks to the door of his office and opens it.
Gregory Harris
After you, Mr. Westley.
Before he walks into the office, Terence turns around and looks at Mei-Hua.
Terence Westley
You win this time, woman.
Terence Westley
But the next time, I won't be as merciful.
Pan Mei-Hua
Who says there will be a next time, Mr. Westley?
Pan Mei-Hua
You do know that you're a suspect at the moment?
All the villagers gasp, and Terence looks at her with big eyes.
Terence Westley
What the---?
Terence Westley
What are you talking about?!
Terence Westley
What on earth is going on here?
Bryan and the Harrises are surprised.
Shannon Harris
Miss Pan, what do you mean?
Pan Mei-Hua
Let's all go inside first.
Pan Mei-Hua
I don't want to talk about it in the open.
Mr. Harris can't believe his ears.
Could Mei-Hua already have found the one who sent him the threats?
Comments