Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling-Chapter 142: Her Maiden Family’s Strength
By the time Felix Thorne and the others got home, it was already pitch black. They had returned with Adrian Hawthorne. Jim Thorne didn’t dare to tell the truth, claiming only that he was worried about his aunt. He even earned praise from Shane Thorne, who commended him for his devotion.
However, Shane Thorne was puzzled. ’Since when did Jim Thorne get on such good terms with that Hawthorne kid?’
’They used to fight the moment they saw each other!’
Shane Thorne didn’t have a strong impression of Adrian Hawthorne, as they hadn’t interacted much. He only knew that the boy was a tough character, able to protect his vulnerable mother at such a young age and survive for four years. He was definitely no ordinary person.
Phoebe Thorne and Amanda Chapman were brought back as well. Phoebe Thorne was in poor health and heavily pregnant, so she had been carried home. Goldie Thorne and a few others took turns, so it wasn’t too strenuous. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮
Phoebe Huxley was at home preparing dinner, swiftly killing a chicken, cleaning a fish, and stewing meat. Nancy Thorne had taken an afternoon nap, but her heart still ached. ’Two whole yuan... I was going to use that money to buy some movie stills wholesale and sell them myself. Now the whole plan is ruined.’
Sigh!
"Why aren’t you happy, Nancy?"
As soon as Felix Thorne returned, he picked up his daughter. But Nancy was listless and not her usual spirited self. He felt her forehead; her temperature was normal.
Nancy pouted and wrapped her arms around Felix Thorne’s neck, silently gathering herself before forcing a smile for him. Only then did Felix Thorne relax. He tweaked her nose a few times and went to entertain Shane Thorne. Shane Thorne had been the biggest help today, so Felix had to keep him company.
Sighing again, Nancy went to chat with Amanda Chapman, whose hands were never still. Only eight years old, Amanda hadn’t been idle for a moment since arriving home, helping Phoebe Huxley stoke the fire and wash vegetables, constantly busy.
"Did you get into any fights today, cousin?"
Amanda Chapman shook her head and stuffed a piece of firewood into the stove. Her little face was flushed red from the reflection of the fire in the hearth. There was weariness in her expression; she had walked the entire way back by herself, and her legs were sore and aching.
But she had to keep working. She couldn’t be a freeloader and make her aunt dislike her.
Originally, her maternal grandfather and the others hadn’t wanted to bring her back. It was her second cousin, Jim, who had claimed that his younger cousin, Nancy, wanted Amanda to play with her. Only then did her eldest uncle, Felix, agree to bring her. She was very grateful to her uncle, as well as to Jim and Nancy. That was all the more reason she had to work harder and not make things difficult for her uncle.
"Open your mouth, cousin."
Amanda Chapman obediently opened her mouth, and a moment later a sweet taste filled it. Nancy grinned at her, a candy wrapper now in her hand. Amanda Chapman smiled too, feeling a little more at ease. ’My cousin is so kind,’ she thought.
"Just stay here at home and rest. We’ll sort everything out after the baby is born. You don’t need to worry about Gentry. That damned old hag, as black-hearted as she is, would never abuse her own grandson."
Seeing Phoebe Thorne’s worried expression, Raina tried to comfort her with kind words. But as she spoke, she grew angrier. ’If Shane Thorne hadn’t forbidden me from getting physical, I would have plucked that damned old hag bald today!’
Her daughter, whom she had pampered and raised, had married into that family only to be tormented by that damned old hag. Of course, she also blamed Phoebe for being too proud, for suffering in silence and never saying a word. But she was even angrier at herself. She had always been in such a rush when she visited—just having a meal before hurrying back. And that damned old hag was such a good actress. She had visited so many times but had somehow never noticed how much her daughter was suffering.
"How could you be so foolish? Suffering so much but never saying a word when you came home, just letting that damned old hag abuse you for nothing! You... you... I told you to be strong, but I never told you to go and suffer! You useless, stupid girl! You have a father, a mother, and three brothers! Why did you have to endure all that?! Did maggots eat your brain...?"
Raina scolded her, full of frustrated disappointment. Daughters from other families might not have brothers to back them up, so if they were wronged after marrying, they could only swallow their grievances. But she had given birth to three sons! Why should her daughter have to endure such hardship?
