Chapter 577: The Oriole Behind
These past few days, Phoenix Golding had tasted the bitterness of human indifference. Her own father and brothers wanted nothing to do with her; only her mother had never left her side. ’If I can just turn things around,’ she thought, ’I’ll be sure to properly honor my mother.’
Linden’s mother wiped her eyes. Life hadn’t been easy for her lately, either. The villagers looked down on her, her husband complained she was a busybody, and her daughter-in-law was constantly whispering poison in her son’s ear, turning him against her. Even her grandchildren wouldn’t speak to her. But her daughter was her own flesh and blood; how could she be cruel enough to watch her die?
"When you get to your cousin’s place, don’t be lazy. Work hard, and don’t come back to Millstone Peak," Linden’s mother instructed.
’I’m not worried about the man from the coal mine turning her down,’ she thought. ’With my daughter’s looks, that old bachelor will definitely be drooling over her. The most important thing right now is to get her out of here.’
"I won’t come back until I’ve made a name for myself. Mom, as for that ungrateful little wretch, find a family to sell her to. I don’t care about their circumstances, as long as they pay enough," Phoenix Golding said, her voice filled with hatred.
’Getting locked in the ancestral hall was so sudden, I didn’t even have time to deal with Jacqueline Spann. But that little beast shouldn’t think she’s getting off easy.’
"I’ve already asked someone to make inquiries. I definitely won’t let that little beast off. That good-for-nothing Vernon Spann isn’t looking after her either, so she couldn’t escape even if she grew wings," Linden’s mother said through gritted teeth. For days, Jacqueline Spann had completely ignored Phoenix Golding, not even bringing her a cup of hot water. ’That little beast has it coming.’
Phoenix Golding sneered. "Vernon Spann can’t even take care of himself. Mom, whatever you do, don’t find a good family for that little beast. Find one with a harsh mother-in-law who’ll really put her through the wringer."
"I know. I won’t let her have it easy. You need to hurry. Once the sun comes up, you won’t be able to get away."
"I know. Mom, you should go back. If anyone asks, just say you don’t know anything."
"Sigh... I’m leaving now. Take this money, and don’t spend it foolishly."
Linden’s mother took out a few bills, shoved them through a crack in the wall, and left with a heavy sigh.
Jacqueline Spann was hidden in the shadows, watching with cold eyes. She was too far away to make out the conversation between her grandmother and her mother, nor could she see what her grandmother had pushed through the crack in the wall. But she was certain Phoenix Golding wouldn’t just sit quietly in the ancestral hall. ’I’ll stand guard here tonight.’
’Phoenix Golding must never be allowed to get back on her feet. Otherwise, that ruthless mother of mine will come after me first.’
The night grew deeper, and the last light in the village went out. An occasional dog barked, punctuated by the croaking of frogs. Jacqueline Spann started to doze off. She moved closer to the ancestral hall and heard a CREAK... CREAK... sound. In the moonlight, she could see a hand reaching through the window lattice, sawing back and forth.
The ancestral hall was an old building with wooden windows. All one had to do was saw through the wood to be able to climb out.
Jacqueline Spann sneered silently. She didn’t raise the alarm, simply waiting for Phoenix Golding to get out. An hour later, Phoenix climbed through the window opening and looked down at the ground in a panic. The window was over two meters high. She had managed to climb up with great difficulty, but now she was too scared to jump.
Gritting her teeth, she squeezed her eyes shut and jumped. It was a long moment before she moved. There was a pile of sharp rocks beneath the window, and Phoenix Golding’s knees were gashed open, bleeding profusely. She fought through the pain and struggled to her feet. After she had limped just a few steps, Jacqueline Spann appeared silently behind her, a large stone in her hands. She brought it down with all her might.
The hope Phoenix Golding had just glimpsed was instantly shattered. She collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Jacqueline Spann let out a cold laugh. She tied Phoenix Golding up with a rope, making the knots so tight that even if Phoenix woke up, she wouldn’t be able to escape.
She fished the few bills out of Phoenix Golding’s pocket and stuffed them into her own. Then, without a backward glance, she headed home. Behind her, Phoenix Golding lay still on the ground, cast in the deathly pale glow of the moonlight.