"I was planning to tell you, but Dad didn’t approve of your marriage. Phoenix Golding schemed for all she was worth but didn’t get her way, so I didn’t bring up this disgusting business. But I never thought that venomous woman would still be trying to harm Lana now. And you, brother, you’re still hung up on her. It’s only because your wife is so magnanimous that she doesn’t hold it against you." Frederick Thorne cast a somber look at his older brother.

Phoebe Huxley snorted smugly. ’Who could be as magnanimous as me? In all of Clearspring Township, I’m the one with the biggest heart.’

Felix Thorne’s face darkened further. ’Magnanimous, my ass. Phoebe nearly chopped me to pieces over this several times. Besides, there was never really anything between me and Phoenix Golding. I just gave her some meat now and then, and that was it.’

’But if I’d known Phoenix Golding had a history with my younger brother, I would’ve never gotten involved with that woman. I, Felix Thorne, might not be good-looking, but I’m not some fool a woman can just use.’

Just the thought of Phoenix Golding saying she liked him while secretly plotting revenge on his very own brother made Felix Thorne feel sicker than if he’d swallowed maggots.

’Thank God Dad was so dead set against it back then. Otherwise, if I had really married Phoenix Golding, I would have felt disgusted for the rest of my life!’

"Dad is so farsighted! Dad, you must have seen that Phoenix Golding was no good from the start, right?" Goldie Thorne asked.

Everyone turned in unison to look at Byron Thorne, their gazes filled with a new level of admiration. If it hadn’t been for Byron Thorne’s insistence that Felix marry Phoebe Huxley back then, that scourge Phoenix Golding would have undoubtedly married into the family. How could they have known a single day of peace?

A smug look appeared on Byron Thorne’s face. He reached up to stroke his sparse beard and said in a measured tone, "Phoenix Golding can’t shoulder any burdens or lift a finger to help. It doesn’t matter how educated or pretty she is; that’s useless. Our family can’t afford to keep a living saint like her, so of course I wouldn’t agree."

When it comes to finding a wife in the countryside, looks aren’t what matters; it’s all about practicality. As long as she’s not hard on the eyes, that’s good enough. What’s most important is that she’s strong, nimble, and able to bear healthy children. A girl like Phoebe Huxley was the ideal daughter-in-law in the eyes of the older generation.

But that was only part of the story. There was another, more important reason that Byron Thorne kept to himself. Phoenix Golding had a mole just under the outer tip of her left eyebrow. The villagers all called it a beauty mark, and it undeniably enhanced her features. But that mole was the true, fundamental reason for Byron Thorne’s opposition.

Shane Thorne knew a little about physiognomy. Back when Felix Thorne had his heart set on marrying Phoenix Golding, Byron Thorne went to discuss the match with Shane Thorne. Shane was vehemently opposed. He said that Phoenix Golding’s features were too licentious and that she wasn’t the type of woman to settle down and be faithful. That mole, he claimed, was a "lover’s mole"—a sign of a lustful nature. A woman with such a mark couldn’t bear being lonely and, if she married into the family, would sooner or later cheat on Felix Thorne. (Author’s note: This is all nonsense, please don’t take it to heart. Physiognomy is not to be believed.)

Byron Thorne trusted Shane Thorne implicitly. Besides, he hadn’t been very keen on the match to begin with. So, he threatened to take his own life, forcing Felix Thorne to break off the engagement. He then had him marry Phoebe Huxley immediately, completely extinguishing any hope Felix had left.

Tang Xiaonan nestled quietly in Phoebe Huxley’s arms, her mind a raging sea. ’None of these details were even mentioned in the book. It seems Lana Steiner’s tragic death was entirely Phoenix Golding’s doing. And Frederick Thorne’s descent into madness was her fault as well.’

’That woman really succeeded. She made Frederick Thorne live with regret for his entire life.’

’But feelings are a two-way street. Frederick Thorne didn’t lead Phoenix Golding on; he rejected her outright. When she couldn’t have him, her love curdled into hate, and she did all these unconscionable things. She’s a true viper!’

’Could the daughter of a viper be a sweet, innocent bunny?’

’Judging from Jacqueline Spann’s behavior so far, this female protagonist is definitely no innocent bunny.’