Tang Xiaonan saw Jacqueline Spann, too. But Adrian Hawthorne was riding so fast that they were past her in a flash. She twisted around to look back. Jacqueline Spann was standing perfectly still, lost in thought, with an ice-cold smile playing on her lips.

Her heart sank. Tang Xiaonan tried to get a better look, but Adrian Hawthorne had already cycled too far away. Jacqueline Spann was now just a blur, completely indistinct.

Tang Xiaonan’s brow furrowed tightly. That smile on Jacqueline Spann’s face was nothing like what you’d expect from the wonderful girl portrayed by the author. The Jacqueline in the book was gentle, kind, and magnanimous, one to return malice with kindness and win people over with her goodness. How could a girl as saintly as that have such a creepy smile?

It was like watching a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. The sight was chilling.

’Did Jacqueline Spann only smile like that after she saw Adrian Hawthorne... or was it after she saw him with me and Third Brother? Is she plotting against Adrian Hawthorne, or against us?’

Tang Xiaonan figured it had to be the latter. Adrian Hawthorne hadn’t done anything to offend the Spann family; in fact, he and Jacqueline were classmates. Even if Jacqueline Spann had no conscience, she wouldn’t just lash out randomly like a rabid dog, would she?

’No way. I can’t just wait around to be attacked. I have to strike first and expose Phoenix Golding’s affair as soon as possible. That would completely ruin Phoenix Golding’s reputation, and Jacqueline Spann’s would suffer along with it.’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

After all, what kind of reputation could a girl have if her mother was cheating on her husband?

Tang Xiaonan had been hesitant before. After all, Jacqueline Spann hadn’t done anything to harm the Thorne family yet, and she was only a ten-year-old girl. Children shouldn’t be blamed for their parents’ mistakes. That was why Tang Xiaonan couldn’t bring herself to act. But now, her resolve had hardened.

’That smile on Jacqueline Spann’s face was terrifying—more chilling than a close-up of a villain’s sinister smirk in a horror movie. My gut tells me that Jacqueline is up to no good. She might only be a ten-year-old kid, but she’s the novel’s protagonist—the author’s golden child—and smarter than most adults. If I don’t strike first, I’m afraid I’ll be no match for her.’

Adrian Hawthorne dropped the three siblings off at the entrance to Xavier Village and continued on his way.

"Third Brother, I’m scared of Teacher Golding," Tang Xiaonan said, her voice full of feigned distress.

"Don’t be scared. If that bitch dares to bully you again, I’ll beat the hell out of her!" Jim Thorne hoisted his sister onto his back. Ever since Tang Xiaonan had learned to walk, her three brothers hardly ever let her feet touch the ground when they were around.

"You’ll get expelled, Third Brother. I just wish Teacher Golding wasn’t at the school anymore," Tang Xiaonan said, gently steering the conversation. Her goal was to completely destroy Phoenix Golding’s reputation and force her to leave in disgrace.

Amanda Chapman felt a pang of shared misery. She gritted her teeth and said, "That bitch makes me clean the latrines every single day. Why doesn’t she just fall in one herself!"

Cleaning the restrooms was supposed to be a rotating chore, but Phoenix Golding made Amanda Chapman do it every day, all by herself. Amanda knew the bitch was just taking her personal frustrations out on her, but she could only endure it.

She couldn’t afford to pick a fight with a teacher over something so trivial. If her grandmother got angry, she might not be able to go to school anymore.

Amanda Chapman knew her own situation well. She was a granddaughter visiting from out of town, not a local from Millstone Peak, so she didn’t feel she had the standing to make a fuss. It was better to just bear it. Besides, cleaning restrooms was still within her limits of tolerance. If Phoenix Golding really went too far, she definitely wouldn’t take it lying down.

"Cousin, why didn’t you tell Third Brother? Why should you have to clean the restrooms every day? Just stop doing it!" Tang Xiaonan flared up instantly. ’Phoenix Golding is a maggot that has wormed its way into the teaching staff. She has to be kicked out.’

"I... I’m afraid if I make a big deal out of it, Grandma will be unhappy," Amanda Chapman stammered.

"What the hell is there to be afraid of? I’ve got your back, so you’re not allowed to clean them anymore!" Jim Thorne shot her a look of pure exasperation. ’His cousin obviously didn’t trust him to handle it. Hmph!’