Chapter 13: The Art of Getting Scammed Again

If there was one thing Erica could always count on, it was Lee's absolute inability to walk through a village without making a scene.

It started with him looking too casual. Hands in pockets, head down, shoulders hunched just enough to suggest he was trying to disappear. It was like a neon sign screaming I have something to hide.

"Why are you skulking?" she asked, watching him side-eye a cluster of merchants.

"I don't skulk," Lee said. "I'm simply—"

"Hey!"

A large, red-faced man bolted from a stall, finger jabbing wildly in their direction. Well, Lee's direction.

"You!"

Lee's smile snapped onto his face like a shield. "Ah. Hello, friend."

Erica folded her arms. Oh, this is going to be good.

The man stormed toward them, soon joined by two more angry villagers.

"You scammed us, you rat!" the first man bellowed.

"Scammed?" Lee repeated, putting a hand to his chest, mock-wounded. "That's a serious accusation."

"You sold me dust, you bastard! You said it was a miracle cure!"

Lee blinked, as if confused. "It is a miracle cure. Worked wonders for my Aunt… uh… Belinda."

"You said your aunt was dead."

Lee's mouth opened. Closed. Then, smoothly: "Exactly. It cured her suffering."

Erica let out a sharp exhale through her nose, barely containing her amusement.

More villagers crowded around, shouting variations of fraud! and liar! and I let you marry my sister!

Erica tilted her head. "Marry?"

Lee turned to her with an easy grin. "That one's an exaggeration."

"You proposed to my sister and vanished the next day!" the man yelled.

"Ah. I see how that could be misinterpreted."

The shouting escalated, drawing Sydney and Sid's attention. Sydney's curiosity turned to instant delight when she saw Lee cornered by an angry mob.

"Oh, this is fantastic." She nudged Sid. "Hey, did you know Lee was engaged?"

Sid just frowned. "Why does this happen everywhere we go?"

Lee shot Erica a glance that practically screamed for help.

Erica shrugged. You dug your grave, dude.

Then something clicked.

She turned to the nearest villager. "Hey, what exactly did he sell you?"

A woman held up a familiar-looking satchel. "This garbage." She untied it and spilled its contents into her palm.

Erica stared.

"…Is that ground-up leaves and dirt?"

"Yes!" the woman snapped.

Lee sighed dramatically. "It's medicinal—"

"No, shut up." Erica rubbed her temples. "You're telling me you don't even sell actual products? Just bags of dirt?"

"Well, when you say it like that—"

She turned to him, deadpan. "Lee. You're not even a scam artist. You're a pyramid scheme."

Sydney gasped in mock horror. "No."

Sid, quieter but equally horrified, muttered, "Lee, that's worse."

Lee held up a finger. "Now, let's not throw around accusations—"

"He made me sell them too!" another villager added.

Erica's amusement deepened. "Oh, my God. You really are a pyramid scheme."

The argument continued, voices overlapping—until one voice cut through.

"AND HE SEDUCED MY WIFE!"

The group fell silent.

Erica blinked. Slowly turned.

A wiry, middle-aged man stepped forward, pointing furiously at Lee. "He sweet-talked her, then vanished with my money!"

Lee, to his credit, didn't flinch. He just took a slow breath. "My good sir, I assure you, nothing of the sort—"

The man whipped around to the crowd. "Ask anyone! She was obsessed with him!"

Lee turned his head toward Erica ever so slightly, as if pleading for an out.

Erica just raised an eyebrow. Then, in the flattest tone possible:

"So… you seduced her? Creep."

Sydney cackled.

Lee shot her a betrayed look. "I did not—"

"You totally did," Sydney said.

"I did not!"

The villagers started shouting again, ready to pummel him.

Erica sighed. "Alright, alright." She stepped in front of Lee and raised her hands. "We'll be taking him and going now. Before someone kills him."

There was some grumbling, but ultimately, the mob let them leave.

Lee groaned as they walked away. "I hate this town."

Sydney beamed. "I love this town."