Chapter 540: Preventing the Tragedy
Although Tang Xiaonan could read ten lines at a glance, this particular scene had left a profound impression on her. She truly couldn’t imagine what Mark Xavier had been thinking when he jumped into that pond. ’Wasn’t he afraid of death?’
Mark Xavier’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain. Perhaps out of guilt, or maybe fear of retaliation from his vengeful spirit, his father and stepmother stopped trying to marry Kelley Xavier off. They continued to pay for her schooling, and Kelley Xavier eventually became a writer. She wrote about the experience to commemorate her unfortunate brother.
"Oh no..."
Tang Xiaonan slapped her forehead, crying out as she jumped to her feet. The book hadn’t mentioned the exact date of Mark Xavier’s death, but it was definitely during this summer vacation, because Kelley Xavier’s school registration happened after he died.
’I have to find a way to stop that fool. How can someone just throw away a perfectly good life like that? I have to stop him.’
"What’s wrong?"
Phoebe Huxley jumped in fright. Seeing Tang Xiaonan’s dazed expression, she thought the girl had suffered another scare. She immediately began rubbing her forehead vigorously, muttering some incantation under her breath. Though no one could tell what she was chanting, Tang Xiaonan felt like her forehead was about to crack, and it certainly snapped her back to her senses.
"There was a mosquito..."
Tang Xiaonan broke free from Phoebe Huxley’s massive hand. ’If I let Mom keep rubbing, my hairline will start receding.’
"Making a fuss over nothing..."
Only then was Phoebe Huxley relieved. She gave her daughter a disapproving look and went back to railing against Phoenix Golding with the other women.
"Why hasn’t Third Uncle Huang made a move yet? That hussy Phoenix Golding has completely ruined Millstone Peak’s reputation. He’s got to teach her a lesson!" Patricia Jacobs said in a soft, delicate voice. It was what Shane Thorne had told her to say.
Phoebe Huxley’s eyes lit up, and she slapped her thigh hard. "We can’t let that hussy get off so easily. Otherwise, what kind of order will we have left in Millstone Peak?"
The other women chimed in agreement. The accountant’s wife and Juliana Rhodes were related to the Golding family and felt a bit awkward, but they knew Phoebe Huxley and the others were right. A person like Phoenix Golding deserved to be severely punished. The whole Golding family had been dragged down by her actions.
"I’ll have my old man go look for Third Uncle later," the accountant’s wife declared.
The village chief’s wife added, "I’ll talk to my husband, too, about finding Third Uncle Huang."
And so, the rattling of bicycles was heard once more. With so many people going to find Third Uncle Huang, Phoenix Golding was sure to be punished. The thought of that hussy’s impending misfortune cheered them up, and they could finally get back to work with calm hearts.
Tang Xiaonan, however, couldn’t calm down. She was worried sick. ’Mark Xavier jumped into the pond at night, but I don’t know what time. I can’t just stand guard over him day after day. That’s not a viable plan.’
’If Mark Xavier were from Millstone Peak, things would be simple. I could just have my third brother watch him. But Xavier Village is so far away; surveillance is unrealistic. The best solution is to get the Xavier family to drop the idea of marrying Kelley Xavier off. But how can I do that?’
Tang Xiaonan couldn’t come up with a good plan on the spot. Worried sick about Mark Xavier’s safety, she was growing frantic. Adrian Hawthorne wasn’t around, so she had no one to consult. ’But wait,’ she thought, ’there’s Clayton Xavier. He’s a powerful figure, too. He might have some ideas.’
Her mind made up, Tang Xiaonan dashed out in a flurry. Phoebe Huxley shouted from behind her, "Where are you off to?"
"To go play with Third Brother!"
"It’s scorching hot out! Play under the shade of a tree, and don’t you go near the pond!" Phoebe Huxley called out, her voice full of warning.
"Got it!"
Tang Xiaonan shouted back as she ran. It was still early, so she had enough time to get to Xavier Village. Her plan was to find Jim Thorne and get a ride on his bicycle.
But Jim Thorne wasn’t home, and neither was his bicycle. He and his partner had gone into town to sell fabric. Amanda Chapman was at home dozing, while Phoebe Thorne was taking an afternoon nap. Left with no other choice, Tang Xiaonan woke Amanda Chapman up and dragged her out the door.