A while back, Howard Thorne had noticed Kelley Xavier crying by herself in secret. He became concerned and found an opportunity to ask what was wrong. Kelley wouldn't say anything at first, but Howard had that roguish Thorne family persistence in his blood. It didn't take long for him to get the story out of her. The truth left Howard furious—so much so that he nearly called Patrick Thorne to go with him to Xavier Village and beat someone up.
But he was an educated man now, after all, and knew better than to act on a reckless impulse. Instead, he started helping Kelley think of a solution. Howard even offered to give her his allowance to pay for tuition, but Kelley told him it wasn't about the money. Her stepmother simply didn't want her to go to college.
Kelley sighed and smiled bitterly. "My dad listens to everything my stepmother says now. He won't change his mind. Don't worry about me. Just focus on your studies this final year and do your best to get into a good university."
