Chapter 685: Jacqueline Spann’s Last-Ditch Battle

Linden’s mother stormed into the Spann family’s home in a rage. After Phoenix Golding’s death, Silas Golding, afraid the villagers would call him cruel, had offered to let Jacqueline Spann come live with them. Linden Golding had agreed, but Jacqueline refused.

She put on a good show, saying she didn’t want to be a burden to her grandfather and uncle and that she could manage on her own. The Golding men didn’t press the issue. In truth, they weren’t eager to raise Jacqueline. Another mouth to feed meant another share of rations, which was a heavy burden. They were actually quite relieved that Jacqueline was so sensible and would stop by from time to time to help her with chores.

The front door of the Spann home was ajar. Linden’s mother kicked it wide open. Jacqueline Spann, wearing a black mourning armband, came out. Seeing the grim look on her grandmother’s face, her heart skipped a beat, and she greeted her respectfully.

"Let me ask you, did you push your mother into the cesspit?"

Linden’s mother grabbed Jacqueline by the collar and viciously demanded an answer. She had always been suspicious about Phoenix Golding’s death, certain it wasn’t an accidental fall. However, Linden’s mother had never truly suspected Jacqueline. But now, after hearing the village gossip, she was more and more convinced Jacqueline was the one who had done it.

’She wanted nothing more than to strangle this little beast right now.’

"It wasn’t me... Grandma, please believe me! How could I possibly harm my own mother..."

Jacqueline had a look of utter injustice on her face, crying and proclaiming her innocence. But Linden’s mother didn’t believe her for a second. She slapped her hard several times, then started punching and kicking her.

"If it wasn’t you, who was it? You little beast, you’ve been rotten from the start! When your mother was sick, you hid the eggs and ate them yourself! You didn’t even boil water for her! Your heart is more venomous than a viper’s! I’ll beat you to death, you little beast!"

Consumed by rage, Linden’s mother beat Jacqueline until her face was black and blue. But she was still filled with hatred. Even if she beat Jacqueline to death, it wouldn’t bring Phoenix Golding back.

"She was your mother! Your own mother... How could you be so cruel... You’re worse than an animal!"

Linden’s mother cried and cursed. Jacqueline covered her head and let her grandmother hit her, crying out her innocence all the while. Yet, her eyes were colder than cinders. Hearing the commotion, the neighbors rushed over to break up the fight. Silas and Linden Golding arrived as well and half-carried the hysterical Linden’s mother home.

Jacqueline squatted alone in the courtyard. Her hair was a tangled mess, and clumps of it lay on the ground where Linden’s mother had torn it out. Her scalp was bleeding, her face was severely swollen, and she was covered in scratches. Her whole body ached.

Calmly, she wiped away her tears. Jacqueline went back to her room, found some letter paper, and began to write.

"Auntie, this might be the last letter I ever write to you. My mother is dead, and my grandmother is going to sell me to a fool in the mountains to be his child bride. They’re coming to take me away in a few days. I might never get out of there for the rest of my life. Auntie, thank you for all your help these past few days. I’ve dreamed so many times that I was calling you ’Mom’... Auntie, if there is a next life, can you be my mother?"

Jacqueline squeezed out a few tears, letting them fall onto the letter. She folded it, placed it in an envelope, and planned to mail it in town the next day. ’She hoped this last-ditch effort would pay off.’

Linden’s mother had convinced her husband and son to send Jacqueline to the mountains to be a child bride for a fool. Not only could they get a bride price, but they could also distance themselves from this viper. The villagers had described the incident so vividly that they were convinced, nine times out of ten, that Jacqueline had killed Phoenix Golding. ’Perhaps they would be the next ones she harmed.’

"We need to get that little beast over there as soon as possible. I’ll go find the matchmaker and ask."

Linden’s mother had made up her mind. She wasn’t doing it for the money; she just wanted Jacqueline to suffer. As long as that little beast remained in the village, she wouldn’t know a day of peace. Thinking of the horrific state her daughter was in when she died, she felt like she could eat the little beast alive.