**Texas.**
Outside the Sawyer Estate.
Old lawyer Farnsworth's words, *"This is Texas,"* left Heather stunned.
What's so special about Texas?
Aren't they part of the United States?
Does that mean they don't have to follow the law?
Farnsworth quickly gave his answer.
They really don't.
"Heather, this is Texas," Farnsworth sighed. "Here, where the 'people are simple and honest.' Those thugs from back then? Not only are they all doing just fine, but their leader, Burt, is now the mayor. His son, along with many others who were involved in the massacre, are part of the police force today.
Back then, the local newspapers covered the incident, but everyone sided with them. They believed what they did was right—they saw them as heroes. Verna couldn't do anything about it, and she didn't want you to get involved with them. So, child, let the past go."
"I bet when they told the story, they made it sound like my family fired the first shot, didn't they?"
Heather scoffed.
"Of course," Farnsworth shook his head. "Everyone says so, which makes it the 'truth.' But behind closed doors, they bragged about how they slaughtered the Sawyer family.
And that policeman who wanted to stop it but couldn't? He's the town's sheriff now. He once privately apologized to your grandmother, Verna. So, no, the truth wasn't covered up.
But knowing the truth and pursuing legal justice are two different things. No one's going to help the Sawyer family. After all, many people in this town lost loved ones to your cousin..."
"I know."
Heather's face was emotionless. "There's no right or wrong in this."
A chill ran down Farnsworth's spine.
How could there be no right or wrong?
Her cousin killed many people in the town—of course, that was wrong.
Heather's relatives didn't stop him and even participated. That was wrong, too.
The townspeople, without caring about the truth, slaughtered the Sawyer family even though they were willing to turn in the killer and go through legal channels. Innocent people, like Heather's mother and other family members who didn't take part, were killed. And afterward, they posed for photos laughing with severed limbs. That was the worst of all.
Both sides were wrong, and the lines were clear. How could there be no right or wrong?
It was clear Heather left one thing unsaid: *There's no right or wrong, only a blood feud.*
Farnsworth, who dealt with people daily, understood this all too well.
"Heather..."
Farnsworth swallowed his unease and tried to reason with her. "Let the past stay in the past. Your grandmother, Verna, moved on. You should too. Otherwise, you'll be in great danger... This is Texas, after all..."
It was the second time he'd said it, revealing just how deeply Texas's "simple and honest" way of life had impacted him.
He had no doubt that if Verna had tried to pursue legal action, they'd have been silenced before they even got to court.
In a town like this, where the mayor, the police, and the townspeople were all on the same side, people disappearing was just too easy.
In many remote places in America, even more terrifying things have happened, later becoming horror stories or legends, with no one ever investigating or seeking justice.
And this was Texas.
Even if it made national news and drew federal attention, these rednecks would probably just push back.
Worst case, they'd threaten to secede.
After all, most Texas households proudly fly the state flag, not the U.S. flag. The nickname "Lone Star Republic" isn't just for show.
So unless someone with immense power—like the President or a superhero or supervillain—stepped in to help Heather, this was a dead end.
"I understand," Heather smiled. "Is there anything else I should know?"
Farnsworth froze, shaken by her smile. *Truly a Sawyer,* he thought. *Even raised by someone else, faced with this situation, she shows a glimpse of that madness... terrifying.*
He forced a smile. "That's all I know. The rest is in the letter your grandmother Verna left you."
"Alright. Thank you."
Heather's gratitude was sincere.
"No need to thank me. It's my duty."
Farnsworth forced another smile. "I'll be leaving now. If you need anything, feel free to contact me."
"I will," Heather nodded.
Farnsworth got into his car and slowly drove away from the Sawyer Estate. In his rearview mirror, he saw Heather standing there, reading Verna's letter with a blank expression.
He sighed deeply, then pressed the gas, speeding away.
He was just a lawyer, handling legal matters. He couldn't and didn't want to get involved in anything else.
Just as when Verna told him that Heather's cousin, a deranged killer, was living in the estate's basement, he didn't call the police. He treated it as client confidentiality and kept his mouth shut.
*"I hope I'll get to see her again someday..."*
After Farnsworth left, Heather opened the envelope. Inside was a letter and a pendant necklace. The pendant matched the scar on her chest perfectly.
At that moment, Heather no longer had any doubts—she truly was a Sawyer.
*"My dearest granddaughter, this estate and everything in it are yours. But with these gifts come burdens. Your real name is Edith Rose Sawyer."*
Heather read on: *"The largest key I had Farnsworth give you is for the basement wine cellar. There, you will find an iron door. Behind it lives your cousin, Jed Sawyer—your only remaining blood relative. He is family and will protect you.
But you must also care for him and provide for his basic needs.
Edith, you are the last of the Sawyer bloodline—my bloodline. Whether you stay or not is up to you, but remember, this is your home."*
After reading, Heather let out a long breath. She replayed everything in her mind over and over, standing there for over ten minutes. Finally, she picked up the family heirloom necklace and put it around her neck.
The pendant seemed to vanish the moment she put it on.
Startled, Heather quickly pulled it out, adjusting it to make sure it was visible. Then she entered the code—0819—and as the gate slowly opened, she drove inside.
Clearly, she had made her decision.
There was no right or wrong, only vengeance.
If the law couldn't bring justice, then debts would be paid in blood.
Even God said: *An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.*
Besides, she was a good Texan too.
And everyone knows what that means.