Chapter 516: The Troublemaking Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Duo
"Break it up! What’s there to see?!"
Preston Thorne rushed over. Seeing the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo causing the biggest ruckus, he felt a massive headache coming on. ’Those two are always in the middle of everything,’ he thought. ’And I’ve never seen them get along this well before.’ He had to hand it to Phoenix Golding; at least she’d accomplished something—she’d brought his third sister-in-law and his cousin-nephew’s-wife closer than ever.
"Chief, are you just going to stand there? That lunatic is going to kill Phoenix!"
Seeing him as her only hope, Linden’s mother grabbed Preston Thorne and began dragging him inside. If someone didn’t stop Verna Golding now, her daughter was really going to be beaten to death.
Although she was angry at her daughter for being such a disappointment and causing so much trouble, she was still her own flesh and blood. Seeing Phoenix Golding’s wretched state, she couldn’t find it in her heart to be cruel. All she felt was hatred for the Thorne family’s viciousness, pushing her daughter to the brink of death over a few pounds of meat.
Now, even her own kin were kicking her while she was down, just watching without stopping that madwoman, Verna Golding. A chill settled deep in Linden’s mother’s bones. It wasn’t just the indifference of the Golding Clan, but the coldness of her own husband and son. They hadn’t even shown their faces this entire time. ’Their hearts are truly made of stone!’
"It’d be better if she was beaten to death!" Phoebe Huxley bellowed. "A whore like your daughter only tarnishes the name of Millstone Peak by staying alive!"
Raina chimed in, even clapping her hands a few times. It was a habit of hers; whenever she got excited, she had to clap to provide her own sound effects. Though the other villagers said nothing, it was clear from their expressions that they agreed with Phoebe Huxley’s words.
An unclean whore could only be cleansed of her filth through death. It was a good thing this was the new society, which didn’t allow for private punishments. In the old days, a loose woman like Phoenix Golding would have been drowned in a pond long ago.
Although Vessaria was right next to Tristone and Oakfell in the Jiangnan region, its people were notoriously fierce. After all, this was the land that had once produced a hegemon like King Gideon. The people of Vessaria were hot-blooded and quick to fight over the smallest disagreement. Their speech was hard and clipped, not soft and gentle like the people of Tristone and Oakfell, whose words sounded as sweet as a lover’s whisper.
Even when the people of Vessaria spoke calmly, they sounded like they were arguing. And Millstone Peak, located in the mountains, had an even fiercer culture. Felix Thorne and Phoebe Huxley were prime examples of this.
So, Phoenix Golding was lucky, in a way. Born in the new society, she was spared. In the old society, she would have never seen the light of another day; she would have been executed by the Golding Clan long ago.
"You’ve got nothing better to do with your time? Tomorrow, you can go haul manure for me!"
Preston Thorne shot them a fierce glare. ’Some people just love to watch the world burn,’ he thought. ’This niece-in-law of mine has gotten more and more outrageous ever since Raina started backing her up. It’s preposterous.’
Phoebe Huxley was defiant and muttered under her breath, "I’m not the one who had an affair and whored herself out, tarnishing our name. Why do I have to haul manure!"
Preston Thorne glared at her again, and Phoebe Huxley sullenly shut her mouth. ’Fine, I’ll haul manure,’ she thought. ’So what? It stinks a little. Big deal.’
With the troublemaking mother-in-law and daughter-in-law duo out of the way, things finally quieted down. Preston Thorne walked into the house. The floor was a complete mess. Verna Golding was straddling Phoenix Golding, looking as if she were possessed. Her bloodshot eyes were wide and staring, and her hands were clamped tightly around Phoenix Golding’s neck.
Phoenix Golding’s condition was truly dire; she was breathing out, but not in. Preston Thorne was startled and quickly tried to pull Verna Golding off, but she was incredibly strong. Her fingers were like iron bands, and he couldn’t pry them loose no matter how hard he pulled.
"Verna, it’s not worth throwing your own life away for someone like her! You still have a son to raise! Listen to me, let go!"
Preston Thorne tried to reason with her, but Verna Golding didn’t react at all, perhaps not even hearing him. Linden’s mother, however, grew frantic and tried to break Verna Golding’s hands.