Chapter 502: Dismissal
"Serves her right. That damn bitch lost her salary, but she’s not going to starve to death!" Amanda Chapman muttered indignantly. "I haven’t seen that bitch in days," she added in a whisper. "You don’t think she’s dead, do you?"
Tang Xiaonan frowned slightly. It had been four or five days since the public shaming, and Phoenix Golding hadn’t set foot outside her house. Rumor had it she was gravely ill. Vernon Spann was also nowhere to be seen, Jacqueline Spann was as elusive as ever, and even Ulysses Spann had stopped coming to school. The family’s silence was a little eerie.
’But she definitely isn’t dead.’
’How could someone like Phoenix Golding kill herself out of shame just because her affair was exposed?’
’But she’s definitely not having an easy time of it.’
Without her salary, relying only on Vernon Spann’s meager work points—which couldn’t even support him alone—life would be tough. Phoenix Golding had grown accustomed to a life of leisure and good food over the years. She definitely wouldn’t be able to endure the hardship of going hungry. ’I wonder what she’ll cook up now?’
’Maybe she’ll go back to her old trade? Continue selling herself?’
Tang Xiaonan shrugged, pushing thoughts of the disgusting woman from her mind. She pulled Amanda Chapman along to find a place to eat. "Cousin, how much longer until your baby brother gets here?"
"I don’t know. Grandma says it’ll be soon."
Amanda Chapman’s face showed a mix of anticipation and disappointment. She wanted her brother to arrive quickly, but she was also worried that once he did, she wouldn’t be able to stay here any longer. She really didn’t want to return to that cold, heartless home.
Tang Xiaonan regretted bringing it up and tried to comfort her. "When the time comes, we’ll have Aunt Phoebe and the baby go back, and you can stay at my house."
Amanda Chapman gave a bitter smile, her worries not the least bit eased. If Phoebe Thorne went back, she would undoubtedly have to go with her. Their grandmother would never let her stay, and she wasn’t shameless enough to impose.
"It’s okay. My mom still has to get through her postpartum confinement. We’ll figure it out then."
Amanda Chapman decided to be more optimistic as well. ’Things will work themselves out,’ she thought. ’There’s no use worrying so much now.’ The worst that could happen was going home, and if it came to that, she’d just live like she did before.
Tang Xiaonan gently patted her shoulder, but a plan was already forming in her mind. ’If that damned old crone from the Chapman family dares to abuse Amanda again, I’ll make Mom and Dad bring her back here to live, no matter what.’ As for living expenses, her younger uncle could cover them. Tang Xiaonan had a very clear idea of how much money Goldie Thorne was making now—he could support ten Amandas without a problem.
It was late June, and the weather was growing increasingly scorching. The sun was a blinding white glare. Tang Xiaonan found a shady spot. It was so hot they didn’t even need to warm up their food; it was perfect cool. She picked out all the meat for Amanda Chapman, eating only the shrimp herself.
Lately, there had always been fish and shrimp on the Thorne family’s dinner table. The fish was tender and plump, the shrimp large and fresh. Phoebe Huxley had arranged with the fishmonger to set aside two catties of shrimp or a few fish for her every day. The shrimp were simply boiled, the crucian carp was braised or steamed, and the fish and tofu soup was absolutely to die for. These were all Tang Xiaonan’s favorites, so of course, Phoebe Huxley bought them all the more often. As long as her daughter enjoyed it, she was happy to spend any amount of money.
"Mark Xavier."
Tang Xiaonan spotted a forlorn-looking Mark Xavier. Amanda Chapman saw him too and called him over. Mark Xavier looked much fresher in the summer. His nose was no longer inflamed, his clothes were clean, and he looked like a rather handsome boy.
Mark Xavier walked over and sat down beside them. Amanda Chapman, ever the impatient one, jumped in first. "Is your stepmom not feeding you again?"
"I already ate."
Mark Xavier shook his head. With the clan elders watching, his stepmother no longer dared to abuse him so blatantly. It was only leftovers, but at least he could fill his stomach. He was worried about something else entirely.
"Then what’s got you so worried? Did that woman hit you?" Amanda Chapman asked, her curiosity piqued.