After Jacqueline Spann started making money, she was extremely generous to her younger brother. Even when Ulysses Spann couldn’t get into college, she paid for him to study abroad. But that good-for-nothing went overseas and learned nothing, instead picking up a drug habit. By the time her predecessor died, Ulysses Spann still hadn’t managed to kick his addiction.

Moreover, the guy was a complete degenerate—guilty of all the vices: gluttony, drinking, womanizing, gambling, and drugs. He was a useless bum everyone despised, but Jacqueline Spann was genuinely good to this brother. No matter what mistake Ulysses Spann made, even when Clayton Xavier couldn’t stand it anymore, Jacqueline Spann would always clean up her brother’s messes and give him spending money.

Because of this, everyone praised Jacqueline Spann for being magnanimous and kind, which earned her an even better reputation. Many business owners were willing to work with Jacqueline Spann, figuring that anyone who treated their family so well couldn’t be a bad person.

"Ulysses."

Phoenix Golding’s voice drifted over. Tang Xiaonan scoffed, grabbed Amanda Chapman, and ran off. Ulysses Spann heaved a long sigh of relief. ’They’re finally gone,’ he thought. ’That scared me to death.’

"You’ve been waiting long, haven’t you? Get on."

Phoenix Golding looked lovingly at her precious son and lifted Ulysses Spann onto the bike.

"Mom, aren’t we waiting for my sister?" Ulysses Spann asked in a small voice. There was actually room for one more person.

"No need. Your sister can walk by herself."

Phoenix Golding’s tone was flat, as if she were talking about a stranger. Ulysses Spann opened his mouth but didn’t dare say anything more. He was actually afraid of his mother being nice to him. The nicer his mother was, the meaner his father became, often beating him when his mother wasn’t around. And the beatings really hurt.

Ulysses Spann didn’t dare tell Phoenix Golding, afraid that Vernon Spann would beat him even harder. He could only endure it in silence, even hoping that Phoenix Golding would dote on him a little less. ’Just give all that love and care to my sister,’ he wished. ’That way, Dad won’t hit me anymore.’

Tang Xiaonan and Amanda Chapman were walking slowly when the ringing of a bicycle bell sounded from behind. Tang Xiaonan turned her head. It was Phoenix Golding and her son. Ulysses Spann was sitting sideways on the front crossbar of the bike. As Tang Xiaonan turned, she caught a glimpse of Ulysses Spann’s profile, and her heart skipped a beat.

Ulysses Spann’s profile looked just like someone else’s. Tang Xiaonan wanted to get a closer look, but Phoenix Golding had already pedaled past. She’d deliberately swerved close, almost hitting her. Tang Xiaonan jumped back in fright, and a soft chuckle reached her ears.

It was Phoenix Golding laughing. ’Damn it,’ she thought, ’that woman is despicable!’

"You damn bitch!"

Amanda Chapman, who despised evil, grabbed a rock and threw it after them, shouting the curse. But Phoenix Golding had already ridden too far away. The rock landed on the ground, having no effect on the woman. However, she must have heard Amanda’s curse, as the bike clearly faltered for a moment before speeding up again. In a flash, they were out of sight. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Did she hit you?" Amanda Chapman asked, worriedly checking her over. She had seen the bike graze past her cousin just now.

"No, but it was close."

Tang Xiaonan shook her head, a knot of anger tightening in her chest. ’I will definitely catch Phoenix Golding in the middle of her affair. I’ll remember this. Son of a bitch, what a piece of work.’

"I’m telling my aunt when we get back. We’ll beat that damn bitch to death," Amanda Chapman said furiously.

"Don’t say anything yet."

Tang Xiaonan stopped her. There was no need to make a big deal out of something so petty. If they complained too much, people would think the Thorne family was bullying others. You had to strike a snake at its most vulnerable point. She was going to deal Phoenix Golding one vicious blow—one she would never recover from.

*********

Meanwhile, Adrian Hawthorne had run into a bit of trouble. He had come back early today, wanting to take advantage of the good weather to plant soybeans. The weather hadn’t been great the past two days, so they hadn’t planted. They had to get the soybeans in the ground today. Once the weather warmed up, they could eat them as edamame. When they matured, they would become soybeans, which could be used in stews, to make tofu, grind into soy milk, or sprout.

He, Rosalind Green, and Old Master Tate were planting the beans together. They had just finished digging the small holes when trouble arrived.