Adrian Hawthorne’s face bore the marks of several slaps, along with a few bloody scratches from Mandy York. His hair and clothes were caked with dirt, and he looked utterly wretched. He had been planning to fight the Golding family with everything he had, then take Grandpa Tate and his mother to live in the city.

He had gotten to know a few of the local delinquents recently. In reality, these guys weren’t bad at heart; poverty had just driven them to shady dealings. Now that they could earn money through legitimate means—more than a regular job—they naturally stopped their delinquent ways. They were even more motivated than Adrian Hawthorne each day.

Adrian Hawthorne had asked them to buy a house with a yard in the city. It wasn’t large, but it was a standalone home with a small courtyard, big enough for the three of them. While he and his mother could come and go as they pleased, Grandpa Tate’s identity was a significant complication. This was the reason Adrian hadn’t made up his mind.

But now Sherman Golding’s family was pushing him too far, and Adrian Hawthorne suddenly decided he wouldn’t endure it any longer.

’I’ve endured for so many years, living like a dog without a shred of dignity. Sometimes I even despise myself. I’m not even living like a human being. Now that I’ve earned money, I can take my mother and leave this place. Why should I tolerate this anymore?’

If Tang Xiaonan had arrived a moment later, there might have been bloodshed. In the instant Adrian Hawthorne was about to snap, her appearance halted his reckless impulse, and his reason quickly returned.

Adrian Hawthorne looked at Tang Xiaonan, who was shielding him with her body. ’Such a tiny little girl, yet she wants to protect me.’ All his life, he had faced hardship and humiliation alone. No one had ever protected him like this. An indescribable sensation washed over Adrian Hawthorne.

Bittersweet, yet sweet, and warm...

It was the first time he had ever felt this way—unfamiliar, yet so warm. Adrian Hawthorne grew even calmer. ’It’s a good thing Tang Xiaonan showed up. If I’d lost control and hurt the Goldings, it wouldn’t have been so easy to leave Millstone Peak.’

When Sherman Golding heard Tang Xiaonan bring up Felix Thorne, his bravado instantly vanished. Felix Thorne was a cutthroat who’d stab a man without blinking. Ten of Sherman put together wouldn’t be a match for him. Though he was resentful, Felix Thorne’s menacing aura was too overwhelming. Sherman Golding decided to give up the land; it wasn’t worth making an enemy of Felix Thorne over a worthless plot.

But Bowman Golding was young and hot-headed. Besides, the Thorne family had recently bullied his aunt, Phoenix Golding. He hadn’t been home at the time; otherwise, he never would have let Phoenix be bullied by that thug Phoebe Huxley.

Now even a little girl was daring to boss him around. Bowman Golding’s anger flared. He cursed viciously, "You little brat, you dare to lecture me? Even your old man wouldn’t dare tell me what to do! Piss off!"

Mandy York chimed in, cursing, "You damn girl, mind your own business, or I’ll beat you up along with him!"

A few days ago, her nephew, Jackie Golding, had been beaten to a pulp by Jim Thorne. Jackie was Iris’s son, and having been frail since childhood, he was often bullied by the three Thorne brothers. He had gotten beaten again a few days ago for no apparent reason, but refused to talk about it when he got home.

Iris had to force the story out of him. Mandy York had been there too, and the two sisters were seething with rage. They were about to march over to the Thorne family to confront them, but Jackie Golding desperately stopped them, crying and begging them not to make a scene.

"The more you stir things up, the harder Jim Thorne and his brothers will beat me! I’m begging you, please don’t do it..."

At Jackie Golding’s desperate pleas, the sisters had no choice but to back down. But the suppressed anger was suffocating. Seeing Tang Xiaonan standing there all alone, Mandy York’s rage gave way to a vicious impulse. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Your whole family is ganging up on Mr. Hawthorne, and he’s just a boy! Have you no shame? You’re too lazy to weed your own plot, so you steal the land he cleared. You Goldings are giving Millstone Peak a bad name!"

Tang Xiaonan wasn’t the least bit afraid. ’Amanda Chapman went to get help. Once my parents get here, they’ll beat these bastards to a pulp!’