Chapter 353: Chapter 353: Applying the Clan Law
However, a powerful force suddenly slammed into her. Before Jacqueline Spann could react, she was shoved back several steps. After getting bumped several more times, Jacqueline found herself pushed to the back again, farther and farther away from Phoenix Golding.
When she saw it was Jim Thorne and a dozen or so other big kids causing trouble, Jacqueline Spann was filled with anger and resentment. She gritted her teeth and decided not to stoop to their level. ’I have to get to the front, fast. I’ll settle the score with that thug Jim Thorne later.’
But no matter which way Jacqueline Spann tried to go, someone would block her path. Jim Thorne and his dozen or so companions completely surrounded her, leaving no room to pass. Jacqueline shouted in desperation, "Get out of my way!"
"You think you own the road? Go on, squeeze through if you can!"
Jim Thorne cockily spread his legs, and the others copied him. Tears welled up in Jacqueline Spann’s eyes from anger as she said in a trembling voice, "Don’t take things too far!"
"Tch, who’s bullying you? Did we hit you? Did we curse at you? Besides, how would we dare bully you? Who knows if you’ll go report us? Ooh, I’m so scared!" Jim Thorne said, clutching his chest theatrically with a terrified look on his face.
The other kids started yelling, "Your mom’s a Fu Zhigao, so you’re no good either!"
(Fu Zhigao is the traitor and antagonist in the novel *Red Crag*.)
"My mom didn’t report anyone..." Jacqueline Spann’s tears streamed faster, her heart burning with anxiety.
"Are you saying my fourth grand-uncle wrongly accused your mom?" Jim Thorne demanded coldly.
Jacqueline Spann shook her head frantically. "No... It’s a misunderstanding! Just let me through!"
"If you’re so great, squeeze your way out. Who’s stopping you!" Jim Thorne snorted, but he and his friends continued to block her. Adrian Hawthorne had told them not to let Jacqueline Spann get through until Phoenix Golding confessed.
Adrian Hawthorne, for his part, still hadn’t forgotten the grudge from the potato field. He was the type to seek revenge for the smallest slight; if someone crossed him and he couldn’t get back at them right away, he would surely repay the favor later. He had no time for chivalry or sparing a fair lady.
Preston Thorne raised his megaphone and said, "Everyone, regarding this matter of Phoenix Golding’s report, how should we handle it? I need to hear everyone’s opinion."
"Beat her to death!"
The villagers’ shouts drowned out the megaphone. The sight of Phoenix Golding’s current, wretched state did nothing to quell their fury.
Phoenix Golding, who was playing dead, trembled and almost lost control of her bladder in fear. She had thought her parents and brothers would step in to save her, but so much time had passed without a sign of them. A chill crept into Phoenix Golding’s heart. ’I have to think of something, fast. I can’t take any more of this physical torment.’
"Jethro, what do you think we should do?"
Preston Thorne looked at Jethro Golding, the leader of the Golding family, with a meaningful glint in his eyes.
Jethro Golding had been secretly competing with him for the position of village chief and was the unspoken leader of the Golding Clan. Since Jethro Golding hadn’t voiced any opinion from the very beginning, Preston Thorne certainly wasn’t going to let him off the hook.
All eyes immediately turned to Jethro Golding. It was true, they needed to hear the Golding family’s opinion. Jethro’s expression soured. He was furious with Phoenix Golding, frustrated by her failure to live up to expectations. There hadn’t been a moment of peace lately, all because of this niece of his. And now she had incurred the public’s wrath. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say she deserved to be beaten to death.
But she was his niece, after all. He had to step in and protect her, one way or another. ’I can lecture this niece of mine after the matter settles down.’
"Phoenix was muddle-headed for a moment and made a mistake. She certainly deserves to be punished. But we live in a society of laws now. If we really beat her to death, it will be hard to answer to the school district. In my opinion, let’s just use the clan law!"
Jethro Golding didn’t deny that she had made the report. It was useless for Phoenix Golding to be stubborn. If Shane Thorne hadn’t investigated thoroughly, he wouldn’t have announced it in front of the whole village. Besides, he could also see Phoenix Golding’s guilty conscience; there was no way she could deny it.
"I certainly have no objection. It’s up to what everyone else thinks."
Preston Thorne didn’t agree immediately. The others hesitated for a moment, then also agreed with Jethro Golding’s proposal.
