Chapter 658: The Familiar Fashionable Woman

Tang Xiaonan edged a little closer. The woman’s back looked more and more familiar. She had definitely seen her before.

The woman was tall and slender, with big, wavy hair that was a rare sight in the countryside. She wore a beige, mid-length trench coat and had a leather purse slung across her shoulder. An outfit like that would be considered extremely fashionable even in Vessaria, never mind Millstone Peak.

’Just who is this woman?’

She appeared to be very close with Jacqueline Spann. They were huddled together, talking. Jacqueline Spann was looking down at the woman, her body angled toward Tang Xiaonan, who could clearly see that Jacqueline’s face was filled with adoration. She had never looked at Phoenix Golding with such an expression.

’Tang Xiaonan quickly thought of Jacqueline Spann’s mysterious aunt from Tristone. An outfit like that was rarely seen in Vessaria, only in big cities like Tristone. It had to be the aunt. But why did Jacqueline Spann’s aunt have such a familiar-looking back?’

"Kiddo, don’t wander off."

Jim Thorne ran over barefoot, worried his sister might fall into the water. Tang Xiaonan was deep in thought and ignored him. Jim Thorne glanced up at the bridge, and his face instantly darkened. "What’s so great about that little bitch? C’mon, stop looking. Let’s go catch crabs."

"Jim, that woman looks so familiar. Have you seen her before?"

Jim Thorne squinted, looking for another moment before saying with disdain, "Definitely not a respectable woman. She’s all flashy and weird. Never seen her."

Her hair was curled like a foreigner’s, and her purse was so small it couldn’t even hold a meat bun. A respectable woman would never carry something so impractical. Jim Thorne didn’t want to give her a second look, turning his head to watch Dollar scampering about on the bank.

"Jim, look more carefully."

Tang Xiaonan was annoyed and gave him a shove. ’How could a quick glance be enough? He didn’t really look at all.’

Jim Thorne had no choice but to look again. This time, he also felt something was off. He muttered to himself, "I feel like I’ve seen that vixen before... It’s not that Yellow Fox, is it?"

"Phoenix Golding is sick; she wouldn’t be out and about. So you think she looks familiar too, Jim? I’m sure I’ve seen that woman before."

Tang Xiaonan rolled her eyes in disgust. ’Her brother was so lazy when it came to thinking. How could it possibly be Phoenix Golding? Ever since that woman was released from the ancestral hall, she was said to have been bedridden, unable to even get up. Besides, Phoenix Golding would never dress that fashionably.’

"If it’s not the Yellow Fox, who else could it be? Jacqueline Spann doesn’t know anyone else in the village. Who cares who she is? Let’s go catch crabs."

Jim Thorne lost interest, scooping up Tang Xiaonan to leave. She irritably slapped his head a few times. ’There was something new going on with that viper, Jacqueline Spann; she couldn’t let her guard down.’

"Jim, when is Mr. Hawthorne coming back?"

’She missed Adrian Hawthorne. Her own brother was nice and all, but he just wasn’t very bright. He was no help whatsoever when it came to things that required actual thought.’

"I don’t know. Our uncle isn’t back either. He and our uncle went to Tristone. Don’t worry, kiddo. We still have plenty of White Rabbit candies at home. I won’t eat them; they’re all for you," Jim Thorne comforted his sister, thinking she was worried about running out of her milk candies.

Feeling utterly exasperated with him, Tang Xiaonan smacked her brother’s head again. ’Did he really think she was that greedy?’

’The White Rabbit candy was supposedly for her, but in reality, she’d hardly had any. Amanda Chapman and Jim Thorne had eaten most of it. She just ate the malted milk.’

"There’s still half a jar of malted milk, too. Plenty to last, so don’t you worry!" Jim Thorne mumbled on, not at all bothered. His sister’s little slaps felt like tickles. It was his mother’s hefty palm that really stung.

Tang Xiaonan rolled her eyes, deciding she couldn’t be bothered with her simpleton of a brother. On the bridge, the fashionable woman shifted her position, revealing a bit of her profile. She was clearly wearing makeup. Her lips were painted a stark red, the color of blood. A gust of wind blew past, carrying a strong wave of perfume, and Jim Thorne couldn’t help but sneeze.