Chapter 677: Phoenix Golding Is Dead

"It’s settled then. I’ll pick an auspicious day to come get her." ’Although the fool’s mother disdained Jacqueline Spann’s youth, she knew no girl in her prime would willingly marry her son. At least this little girl was good-looking and capable. She could raise her for five or six years, then she could consummate the marriage and carry on the family line.’

"Alright. And the money?" Phoenix Golding was desperate for the bride price.

"How about a twenty-dollar deposit for now? I’ll give you the rest when I come to pick her up."

The matchmaker smoothed things over. Though Phoenix Golding wasn’t satisfied, she had no choice but to agree. Jacqueline Spann was too young, and this was the only family willing to take her. No one else wanted another mouth to feed.

Jacqueline Spann faintly overheard a few words: *pick her up*, *auspicious day*, *twenty-dollar deposit*... ’What in the world is Phoenix Golding up to?’

The two women left, beaming. Phoenix Golding walked them to the main gate, fawning over them. The moment she turned around, her face darkened. Without a single glance at Jacqueline Spann, she went back to her room to sleep.

The unease in Jacqueline Spann’s heart grew more intense. ’This can’t be good.’

After cooking the pig feed, Jacqueline Spann realized they were out of firewood. She had no choice but to sling a bamboo basket on her back and go up the mountain to gather some. Her mind heavy with worry, she nearly stumbled on her way up the mountain. Luckily, someone caught her. It was Gentry Chapman.

"Thank you."

Jacqueline Spann recognized Gentry Chapman. ’He’s Phoebe Thorne’s son. I saw him at the bookstore once. He’s so much kinder than his sharp-tongued sister.’

"You’re welcome."

Gentry Chapman looked a little embarrassed. His school enrollment hadn’t been processed yet, so he was studying under Old Master Tate. He’d just finished his homework and was about to take it to the old master for review when he saw Jacqueline Spann stumble, so he instinctively reached out to steady her.

Jacqueline Spann smiled and continued up the mountain. Gentry Chapman looked hesitant, but finally, he made up his mind and called out to her. "You... you should be careful lately. Your mother, she..."

"What about her?"

Jacqueline Spann pressed for an answer, her heart leaping into her throat. She thought of the two strange women from earlier, and now with Gentry Chapman’s odd warning, her unease grew even stronger.

Gentry Chapman hesitated again. His sister had told him not to associate with Jacqueline Spann, and he worried she would be upset if he spoke up. But keeping quiet felt wrong; he felt too sorry for Jacqueline.

"I’m begging you. My mother beat me again today. Can you please tell me what she’s planning to do?"

Jacqueline Spann’s voice softened. On the verge of tears and with her eyes red-rimmed, she pleaded. Gentry Chapman’s heart ached in sympathy, and his reservations vanished. He told her everything he had heard.

"My cousin said your mom is trying to marry you off to a fool. Why don’t you try talking it over with her?"

Jacqueline Spann clenched her jaw, a towering wave of hatred crashing through her. ’I hate Phoenix Golding for her cruelty, and I hate the Thorne family for standing by and doing nothing! They knew all about this, but they didn’t say a word. They probably can’t wait for me to marry a fool and live a miserable life!’

"Thank you. Did your cousin ask you to come and tell me this?"

Jacqueline Spann was deliberately probing, though even she wasn’t sure why she needed to know.

Gentry Chapman looked panicked and shook his head. "No, he didn’t! My cousin told me not to say anything to you. Please don’t tell anyone it was me who told you, okay? I gotta go."

Afraid that Jim Thorne and his sister would find out, Gentry Chapman scurried away. He didn’t see the sinister look that crept over Jacqueline Spann’s face.

「Two days later」, the quiet life on Millstone Peak was shattered. Because—

Phoenix Golding was dead!

Her death was anything but dignified. She had fallen into a cesspool and drowned. When Jacqueline Spann found her, she was no longer breathing, and her body was crawling with maggots.

Phoebe Huxley was the most shocked of all, and a deep sense of unease settled over her. ’She really fell into the cesspool? Are they sure? I was just saying it for fun!’

Phoebe Huxley was always cursing Phoenix Golding, saying that sooner or later she’d fall into a cesspool and get eaten by maggots. She’d repeat the curse about once every three days. Now that her words had come true, however, Phoebe Huxley couldn’t bring herself to feel happy. ’It was a human life, after all!’