Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling-Chapter 108: A Sense of Crisis

"Kenneth, where did you buy those old books?" Clayton Xavier asked eagerly, deeply regretting his own purchase.

He had spent over seven dollars on just six new books, while Adrian Hawthorne’s huge sack of books had only cost a few dollars. It was such a bargain.

"The scrap collection station. Nan reminded me."

Adrian Hawthorne shared the information freely. It was no secret, after all—anyone could go there. He also made sure to mention Nan Thorne, giving her full credit for the idea.

Draped over Goldie Thorne’s back, so sleepy her head kept nodding, Nan Thorne heard her name and jolted awake. She looked over groggily. ’Why are they calling me?’

"It’s nothing. Go back to sleep."

Adrian Hawthorne gently patted her on the head. Nan Thorne even nuzzled against his hand before peacefully falling back to sleep.

Patrick Thorne, however, felt that something wasn’t quite right. ’Why did that look so much like someone petting a puppy?’

Clayton Xavier couldn’t help but smile. The chubby little girl was actually quite adorable. He remembered Jacqueline Spann complaining about how spoiled and arrogant the Thorne family’s daughter was. Hearing it so often had given him a poor impression of Nan Thorne, but his opinion of her had completely changed today. She was just an adorable, chubby little girl.

’And she isn’t arrogant at all. She might be a little coddled, but with parents and brothers who dote on her, that’s to be expected. Jacqueline must have some kind of misunderstanding about Nan. I’ll have to talk to her later and convince her not to squabble with a little girl.’

Jacqueline felt a surge of jealousy, bitter and resentful. ’It’s only been one day, and Clayton is already so friendly with Nan Thorne! He knows I don’t like her. Can’t he be a little more considerate of my feelings?’

’Besides, I don’t believe a word Adrian said. If I didn’t even think of it, how could that stupid little Nan Thorne possibly have come up with the idea of buying old books from a scrap collection station? It was obviously Adrian’s idea. He’s just giving her the credit to curry favor with the Thornes.’

Jacqueline was a self-assured person. She had absolute confidence in her own intelligence and even more confidence in Nan Thorne’s stupidity. The girl was only six, after all. Jacqueline had never even considered her worth a second thought.

But now, a sense of alarm was creeping in. Clayton’s attitude toward Nan Thorne had changed. She couldn’t afford to be complacent. From now on, she would have to keep a closer eye on the Thornes—especially Nan.

"Thanks for the tip. I’ll have to check out the scrap collection station myself next time," Clayton Xavier said with sincere gratitude.

"It’s nothing."

Adrian Hawthorne’s expression remained impassive, though with a hint of awkwardness. He wasn’t used to speaking with Clayton Xavier at such close quarters. It felt strange.

The group made their way down the uneven path, chatting as they went in a rare moment of harmony. It wasn’t long before they descended the mountain. By then, Nan was sleeping like a little piglet, her mouth hanging slightly open with a glistening trail of drool. She even smacked her lips from time to time, surely dreaming of something delicious to eat.

Adrian Hawthorne didn’t even realize he kept stealing glances at the chubby little girl. His palm began to itch with the urge to give her chubby cheeks a little squeeze. ’It would be way more fun than squeezing a rubber ball,’ he thought.

But he never gave in to the urge, not even when they reached the foot of the mountain, afraid he might wake her.

A warm light shone from the Hawthorne residence at the foot of the mountain, lifting everyone’s spirits. They were finally home. Voices drifted from the distance, growing louder as they approached, accompanied by the dancing beam of a flashlight.

"Goldie? Is that you?"

It was Felix Thorne. He’d come to meet them as soon as it got dark.

"Big Brother, it’s me," Goldie Thorne called back, quickening his pace.

"How’s Nan?"

Felix Thorne walked over as well. He breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing his daughter sleeping soundly. Taking Nan from Goldie’s back, he planted a kiss on her cheek. Not seeing his daughter for a whole day had left an empty space in his heart, but now, it finally felt full again.