Chapter 782: Every Man for Himself

"My darling girl, where are you... Don’t you know Mommy misses you..."

Bernice’s voice grew fainter until she fell asleep, slumped over Jacqueline Spann. Jacqueline helped her to the sofa, covered her with a blanket, and sat beside her in a daze.

’If Auntie finds her daughter, will she stop caring for me?’

Jacqueline’s heart sank, but she quickly felt a sense of relief. ’There’s been no news for seven years. Maybe that little cousin of mine is already dead. Even if she isn’t, they’ll probably never find her.’

"My darling girl..."

Bernice murmured the name, a tear trickling from the corner of her eye. After that single cry, she fell back into a deep sleep.

Jacqueline’s expression turned cold. She hated hearing that name. Though she had never met her little cousin, she already disliked her.

’Auntie can never find her little cousin. That’s how it has to be.’

Jacqueline let out an abrupt, cold laugh. The sunlight filtering through the screen door landed on her face, yet it only made her look more sinister. The chill she gave off was unsettling for a girl who was only about ten years old.

Vernon Spann paced outside for a long time before finally mustering the courage to knock. Bernice had arranged for him to guard an abandoned warehouse in the suburbs. It was in the middle of nowhere, but the work was quite easy. Bernice brought him food and daily necessities every few days. Though it was a bit lonely, it was far more comfortable than life on Millstone Peak.

Furthermore, Ethan Hawthorne paid him a salary of thirty yuan a month. Vernon didn’t have to spend a cent, so he could save it all. He had originally planned to send some money to his daughter, but his sister had brought her over to live in a villa, where she ate well and lived comfortably. Her life was much better than his, and she no longer needed his money. So, Vernon’s old habits flared up again; he’d hooked up with a widow in a nearby village and was having a much better time than he ever did on Millstone Peak.

But the good times didn’t last. No new goods had been sent to the warehouse recently, and Bernice hadn’t brought him food for a long time. His salary was also a month overdue. Vernon had hesitated for a long while before finally daring to come over.

Hearing the knock, Jacqueline thought Ethan Hawthorne was home and rushed to open the door. She was quite surprised to see Vernon Spann and stared blankly for a moment before coming to her senses. "Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Where are your aunt and uncle?" Vernon was happy to see his daughter and reached out to stroke Jacqueline’s face, but she leaned back slightly, smoothly dodging his touch.

Vernon’s hand met empty air. He awkwardly retracted it and let his eyes sweep across the room. He breathed a sigh of relief when he didn’t see Ethan Hawthorne. He turned to slip inside but was blocked by Jacqueline.

"Auntie’s sleeping, so don’t go in. What is it?"

Vernon laughed self-deprecatingly. "I came to ask your aunt for my wages. I didn’t get paid last month, and I can’t make ends meet. I didn’t even eat last night."

Jacqueline frowned slightly, a flash of disgust in her eyes. ’He’s been this pathetic his whole life. So embarrassing.’

"Auntie is having a tough time right now. I have a little money on me, Dad. Take it and use it for now."

Jacqueline took ten yuan from her pocket and shoved it into Vernon’s hand. Bernice had given her the money; she was always quite generous with her niece.

Vernon snatched the money and stuffed it into his pocket, his face plastered with a servile smile that made Jacqueline feel even more disgusted. But she had a job for him.

"Dad, since there’s nothing going on at the warehouse right now, why don’t you head back for a bit?"

Jacqueline stood on her tiptoes and whispered something in Vernon’s ear. His expression changed drastically. "This won’t get anyone killed, will it?" he asked, afraid.

"Of course not. Auntie just wants to teach them a lesson. It’s their own fault for being dogs in the manger," Jacqueline sneered. Seeing Vernon still hesitating, her expression hardened. "If Auntie and Uncle break up, you’ll be sent right back to Millstone Peak to go farming."

Vernon’s expression changed dramatically. "I’ll head back right now."

’Every man for himself,’ he thought. ’Rosalind Green and her son just have bad luck.’