Chapter 550: An Expedient Measure
A while back, Howard Thorne had noticed Kelley Xavier crying by herself in secret. He became concerned and found an opportunity to ask what was wrong. Kelley wouldn’t say anything at first, but Howard had that roguish Thorne family persistence in his blood. It didn’t take long for him to get the story out of her. The truth left Howard furious—so much so that he nearly called Patrick Thorne to go with him to Xavier Village and beat someone up.
But he was an educated man now, after all, and knew better than to act on a reckless impulse. Instead, he started helping Kelley think of a solution. Howard even offered to give her his allowance to pay for tuition, but Kelley told him it wasn’t about the money. Her stepmother simply didn’t want her to go to college.
Kelley sighed and smiled bitterly. "My dad listens to everything my stepmother says now. He won’t change his mind. Don’t worry about me. Just focus on your studies this final year and do your best to get into a good university."
It was her fate to never attend university, but she hoped all of her classmates could.
Howard said indignantly, "Does your dad have maggots for brains? Your grades are so good, you could definitely get into a prestigious university! It’s the kind of thing that brings honor to the whole family. How can he not see that? It’s infuriating! How about I get my Grandpa Huxley to go teach your dad a lesson?"
"Don’t," Kelley stopped him. "Your grandpa already stepped in once before because of my little brother, and my stepmother still holds a grudge over it." Her stepmother was the kind of person who spoke like a saint but had the heart of a snake; she was no stranger to stabbing people in the back. Kelley was afraid of dragging Grandpa Huxley’s family into her troubles.
In fact, it was because she’d heard from her brother how Tang Xiaonan had helped her that Kelley was so grateful to the Thorne family, which was why she put her all into tutoring Howard.
Howard ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "But you can’t actually go through with marrying him, can you? I had my second uncle ask around about that guy. He’s a real piece of work—a degenerate who drinks, gambles, and sleeps around. Marrying him would be like jumping into a pit of fire."
Kelley, however, was calm. She’d known all along. ’As if my stepmother would ever find a good man for me.’
"It makes no difference to me who I marry. Just stay out of my affairs. You should go home."
Kelley had lost all hope. Her heart was dead as ashes. No one at home was willing to help her, leaving only her little brother. She didn’t dare just run away. If she were gone, her brother’s life would become even harder. She could never live with herself if she left him behind.
Suddenly, an idea struck Howard, but he was too embarrassed to say it out loud. He was afraid Kelley would think he was trying to take advantage of her, but it was the best plan he could come up with at the moment.
"Um... look, let me make this clear first: I’m not trying to take advantage of you. This is just a temporary solution. Just hear me out..."
Howard leaned in closer and explained his idea. Kelley’s face turned as red as a sunset, her expression shy. But what Howard proposed was, indeed, a viable solution. ’Still, it’s so embarrassing!’
"Don’t get the wrong idea! I’m really not trying to take advantage of you. I know my place," Howard explained hastily, afraid Kelley would think he was just some creep. "I just want to help you get through this mess. We can call it off once you get into college."
’He really didn’t mean it like that. Kelley was a phoenix soaring in the heavens; he was just a toad hopping on the ground. They were clearly not a match. He wasn’t delusional enough to think otherwise.’
Kelley chuckled. "I know you mean well, but I’m worried my dad won’t agree. He only listens to my stepmother. Besides, would your parents even approve?"
Seeing that she wasn’t angry, Howard immediately grew cocky. "My parents will definitely agree. And don’t worry about your dad. I’ll get my Grandpa Huxley to talk to your uncles. Since you have to get engaged one way or another, you might as well choose someone decent, right? I’m a much better catch than that bastard!"
As he spoke, he puffed out his chest, looking quite proud of himself. ’At least I don’t have all those bad habits, and I’m not a troublemaker. I might even get into a junior college. As long as the people in the Xavier family have half a brain, they’ll know who the right choice is!’