Chapter 50
Crescendo Town, while different, held its own against Silvergrove City in terms of vibrancy and
shimmer.
In this city with all its bright lights and boozy nights, the feeling of being a stranger nearly drowned Kristin like a surging river.
Kristin curled up in a corner, her body trembling like a leaf.
Unlike Silvergrove City, Crescendo Town had to endure the harsh sting of bone–chilling winters. At night, the snow came down in buckets, and folks hurried along.
Kristin leaned against the window glass, gazing at the heavy snowfall outside.
As a kid, she loved snowy days, because Silvergrove City never got winter, so she was dying to see the snow.
“Kris, this year I’m gonna take you to Oakville Crossings to catch some snow.”
She remembered the winter before her cover was blown, Clarence had everything planned out. He whisked her away from school, giving her the surprise of her life.
Back then, Clarence doted on her. He provided every form of protection a brother could possibly offer to his sister.
Kristin used to take it for granted, but now, it felt like a debt she owed that she ought to repay.
Over the years, Kristin had silently endured all the pain inflicted by the Turner family, simply because she got more warmth in those first twenty years than she deserved.
She could understand why Summer hated her.
#
“I checked the weather. Right when we land, the snow starts.” That year, Clarence fondly ruffled Kristin’s hair, taking her to Oakville Crossings to enjoy the snowy view.
She was bundled up in a thick–down jacket. The weather was freezing, but her heart was warm. Now the dream was over, and her current life was the real deal she was supposed to face.
“Kristin! Wake up, Kris!”
Kristin had dozed off by the window. Hearing her name, she jolted awake, clutching herself in panic.
“What’s there to be scared of? It’s not like I’m gonna eat you up,” said the woman squatting in front of Kristin, dressed in a miniskirt on a snowy day with heavy makeup.
Kristin breathed a sigh of relief. “How did you know I was here…?”
“There’s only this ATM around the train station where you can catch some sleep and it’s safe.”
Chapter 50
The woman chuckled, lighting up a cigarette. “You called me yesterday, I thought I heard
wrong. I told you to look for me when you got out, why’d you take so long?”
Kristin felt a bit embarrassed. “I spent a few days with my kid at home.”
“Fine, come with me.”
The woman was Harriet, Kristin’s prison buddy and the one who got out early.
Harriet got caught up with the wrong guy, one with a wife who was a moocher, and apparently made his fortune thanks to his wife’s family. Still, he kept a mistress on the side.
When the wife found out, she demanded Harriet pay back the money. Harriet refused, and the guy and his wife sued her for blackmail.
The guy was clever and played Harriet for the three–year youth.
“I heard you on the phone. Are you saying you wanted to make some cash?” Harriet sized up Kristin, who was shivering, and thought Kristin was too fragile for their line of work. “With that tiny frame, you won’t survive our gig.”
“I’m okay, I can take the heat,” Kristin shook her head. “Waiting tables and pouring drinks are not difficult for me.”
Harriet looked at Kristin, took a deep drag, and laughed so hard she bent over. “Kristin, don’t tell me you actually think… I’m just a waitress? A waitress earning tens of thousands a month?”
Kristin was taken aback, finally getting Harriet’s drift. “I… I can’t.”
“It’s you who said you’re strapped for cash.” Harriet pulled Kristin into a cab. “When you’re really broke, do you care about that stuff?”
Harriet leaned against the cab window, flicking her cigarette butt out carelessly.
Kristin instinctively wanted to stop her, feeling it wasn’t right to litter.
At the sight of Kristin’s reaction, Harriet laughed without malice. “Do you think you were still a noble lady, huh?”
Kristin paused, slowly curling up in the corner. Yeah, she needed to return that pride and so–called nobility in her bones to the Turner family.
She was meant to be mired in the mud all along.
Clarence and Vincent wanted her to rot there.
“I warn you we don’t keep freeloaders where I’m from. You’re pretty and got a nice figure, plus you’re trained in dance, that’s your advantage. If you wanna dive in, no one’s gonna do better or make money faster than you,” Harriet said earnestly, heaving a sigh. “It’s all up to you, though. If you’re still stubborn, those rich folks ain’t there to serve you.
Kristin kept her head down, silent.
“Kristin, five years in prison, right? You were the most obedient and the most committed to
10:07
Chapter 50
reform, yet you never got parole. Anyone could see you were being played and someone was stepping on you. Do you think you can make clean money? Is that even possible? If so, you wouldn’t have contacted me. I’m right, aren’t I?”
Harriet used to be not so sharp, but she learned from her mistakes, those lousy men made her
wiser.
Seeing Kristin go mute again, Harriet flashed with pity, but what good was her pity? Harriet was barely able to save herself.
“I want to help you… Just my luck to have a conscience, but I’m not capable.” Harriet sneered.
She’d been hurt and wanted to help Kristin, but was Harriet in any position to do so?
“I’ll… I’ll give it a try,” Kristin’s voice was hoarse.
