Tang Xiaonan watched, completely stunned. She never thought her mother could be so badass, her presence even more imposing than Felix Thorne’s. After Phoebe Huxley’s outburst just now, Felix Thorne had immediately clammed up, clearly scared of his wife.

"What’s wrong?"

Goldie Thorne rushed over when he heard the commotion, his pant legs rolled up high and his feet caked in mud. He had recently started showing up for work voluntarily. With two more mouths to feed at home—Phoebe Thorne and her daughter—Goldie didn’t need Raina to chew him out before he went to earn work points.

However, he wasn’t very good at farm work, so he’d been assigned to work alongside the women. Today, they were sorting rice seedlings. In a few days, once the fields were plowed and fertilized, it would be time to transplant them.

"Uncle... my hand hurts..."

Tang Xiaonan felt a pang of disappointment in Felix Thorne. ’This father of mine just can’t forget Phoenix Golding. He even tried to defend that woman! Hmph, men are so unreliable. Mom’s the one who really comes through!’

But Tang Xiaonan had misunderstood. While Phoenix Golding might have been an indelible mark on Felix Thorne’s heart, his family—especially his daughter—was what truly mattered most. If Tang Xiaonan and Phoenix Golding both fell into the water, Felix Thorne would absolutely save his daughter without a moment’s hesitation. That much was beyond question.

The only reason he had tried to dissuade Phoebe Huxley was that he wanted to get the facts straight first. Besides, he knew how destructive his wife could be. Once she got going, she would absolutely tear Phoenix Golding to pieces. And since Phoenix was, after all, that old flame he could never quite forget, Felix Thorne couldn’t bear to see that happen.

Of course, the most crucial factor was that Tang Xiaonan’s hand wasn’t broken. If it had been, Felix Thorne would have undoubtedly been the first to strike.

That, too, was beyond question.

When Goldie Thorne saw the ring of dark bruises on his niece’s wrist, he flew into a rage. "Who did this?"

"Phoenix Golding! Her son tried to steal Xiaonan’s meat, her daughter cursed at Xiaonan, and Phoenix Golding dislocated Xiaonan’s wrist! Their whole family ganged up on her," Jim Thorne said furiously, shooting a look of disapproval at Felix Thorne.

"That motherfucker... I’ll go kill her!"

Goldie Thorne’s face instantly darkened. He let loose a string of curses and started marching barefoot toward the Spann family’s house. He turned back to roar at Felix Thorne, "Big Brother, if you dare help that stinking bitch, don’t blame me for forgetting we’re brothers!"

"To your big brother, that hussy is the most important thing in the world. He was just trying to stop me!" Phoebe Huxley sneered sarcastically.

Felix Thorne shot her a harsh glare, but Phoebe Huxley just rolled her eyes. She could give her husband face on most things, but when her children were involved, she would take on God Almighty himself.

"Big Brother... You’re really something else..."

Goldie Thorne shot him a look of utter disappointment, too fed up to say more. He marched off with Phoebe Huxley, spoiling for a fight. Jim, looking disappointed himself, trotted after them.

Felix Thorne felt incredibly wronged. He hadn’t even said anything, yet one by one, they were all turning on him. Seeing Tang Xiaonan still standing there, he bent down to pick her up, but she twisted away, pouted, and ran off.

Now that really twisted the knife in Felix Thorne’s heart. He could handle his wife ignoring him. It was no big deal if his brother did, too. He didn’t even mind his son. But for his precious daughter to give him the cold shoulder... Felix felt so miserable that even a feast of dragon meat would taste like ash.

"Uncle, I’m going too!"

Amanda Chapman whispered before darting off like the wind. She, too, thought her uncle was in the wrong. ’He usually dotes on my cousin so much, but he totally fumbled when it mattered most. He must be bewitched by Teacher Golding—just like my dad, his brain turns to mush the second he sees a pretty woman.’

’Hmph! All men have that same rotten character!’

Felix Thorne’s face grew even darker. ’What did I even do?’ he thought. ’Why is everyone blaming me?’

Although he was angry, Felix Thorne still followed them. He wasn’t afraid of Phoebe Huxley losing the fight; he was afraid the woman would actually kill someone!

Phoenix Golding got home even later than her daughter, Jacqueline Spann. Phoenix commuted by bicycle while Jacqueline walked, but Phoenix always came home late. Jacqueline made all three meals, so when her mother returned, dinner was already on the table waiting for her.

The moment she got home today, someone rushed in. "Phoenix, hide! Quick! Phoebe Huxley is coming for you! She says she’s going to kill you!"