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 ss, 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, rence had everything nned out. He


    whisked her away from school, giving her the surprise of her life.


    Back then, rence 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 wend, the snow starts.” That year, rence 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


    C0ntent ? 2024 (N/?)velDrama.Org.


    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,e 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 ckmail.


    The guy was clever and yed 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, andughed 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, Harrietughed 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.


    rence 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 mostmitted to


    10:07


    Chapter 50


    reform, yet you never got parole. Anyone could see you were being yed 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 shed 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.