Free Web NovelChapter 356: Chapter 356: Superb Acting
Her tearful appeal softened the hearts of many. Of course, they still hated Phoenix Golding with a passion, but they felt nothing but sympathy for Jacqueline Spann. The child had a bitter fate—a spineless father and a mother who played favorites. She was the one who cooked, did the laundry, and gathered firewood, and she’d still get a scolding if she didn’t do a good job. Many villagers had seen Jacqueline Spann secretly wiping away tears; she was a pitiful sight.
No matter how awful Phoenix Golding was, the moment she got into trouble, Jacqueline Spann still stepped up to protect her without a second thought. Such filial devotion was incredibly moving.
The villagers all thought the same way: no matter how many faults parents might have, their children were still obligated to be filial. To do otherwise would be a cardinal sin. They were very pleased with Jacqueline Spann’s actions and had no intention of blaming her in the slightest, seeing her only as a pitiful child with a bitter lot in life.
Tang Xiaonan was so angry she yanked on Adrian Hawthorne’s hair. ’That scheming witch is too good an actress! She’s fooled the entire village. This is infuriating!’
Adrian Hawthorne frowned as well. He had underestimated Jacqueline Spann. With just a few words, she had effortlessly salvaged her image. Now, no matter what Phoenix Golding said, no one would hold it against Jacqueline Spann. They would only think that the mother was less sensible than her own daughter.
"A moment ago, you said you didn’t know the Thorne family raised rabbits, but now suddenly you do. Your family can’t seem to keep its story straight."
Adrian Hawthorne pinched his nose, making his voice high and sharp like a woman’s. After speaking, he moved to a different spot. In the dark of the night, no one knew he was the one stirring up trouble.
Jacqueline Spann wanted to walk away from this unscathed, but he was determined not to let her have her way.
Jacqueline Spann’s heart skipped a beat. She inwardly cursed the meddler, but on the outside, her tears flowed even more fiercely, her face a mask of remorse. "I... I did lie," she sobbed. "I was scared, so I didn’t dare to admit it. It’s my fault. I’m willing to accept any punishment, just please stop hitting my mother."
Adrian Hawthorne’s brows furrowed. By showing weakness and playing the victim, Jacqueline Spann had already secured her victory. However, Phoenix Golding’s reputation in the village was now utterly ruined, and her social standing along with it. The Golding family was sure to hate her guts.
Tang Xiaonan was so angry she smacked Adrian’s back again. ’This is making me furious! Why is someone like Jacqueline Spann even trying to run a business? She should be an actress—she wouldn’t even need any training! Her skills would put some of those future pretty-boy actors and starlets to shame.’
"Don’t be angry," Adrian Hawthorne said, comforting her. "She’ll show her true colors sooner or later."
’Besides, if life gets hard for Phoenix Golding, it’ll be even harder for Jacqueline Spann. She can’t be independent yet; she has to rely on her mother. She’s in for a rough time in the future.’
Tang Xiaonan nodded, then leaned in and whispered in Adrian Hawthorne’s ear, "It won’t be long now. Hmph!"
The warm puff of her breath tickled Adrian Hawthorne’s ear, and the sensation seemed to go straight to his heart, making it melt. Along with it came the little girl’s unique, milky scent. He couldn’t help but take a deep sniff. ’It smells even better than the soap Rosalind Green uses,’ he thought. ’It smells so good.’
"Do you bathe in milk?" Adrian Hawthorne blurted out.
He regretted the question the moment it left his lips. It was far too forward. Even though she was just a little girl, he shouldn’t be asking such a personal question. He prayed Tang Xiaonan hadn’t heard him.
"Huh?"
Tang Xiaonan’s attention was focused on the drama unfolding on the stage, so she hadn’t heard him clearly. She asked blankly, and Adrian Hawthorne quietly let out a sigh of relief. "It’s nothing."
’Thank goodness she didn’t hear,’ he thought. ’That would have been mortifying.’
Adrian Hawthorne’s face grew warm, and a faint blush crept up to the tips of his ears. He glanced around, only truly relaxing when he was sure no one had overheard. Tang Xiaonan was completely oblivious to his fidgeting, her attention still fixed on Jacqueline Spann and her mother on the stage. freewebnσvel.cѳm
In light of Jacqueline Spann’s moving display of filial piety, Jethro Golding delivered the remaining fourteen lashes to Vernon Spann. This decision was a tacit declaration that Vernon Spann was the true instigator. Phoenix Golding was merely foolish and easily influenced; Vernon Spann was the one who was truly rotten.
