Transmigrated as the Villain Boss's Precious Darling

Chapter 481: Chapter 481: Clayton Xavier Is Also Here

Clayton Xavier wandered around for a good while and made a few discoveries. The town wasn’t large and had only one supply and marketing cooperative. The townspeople bought nearly all their daily necessities from there. The co-op was state-run, so working there was a matter of great prestige—it was an even more sought-after job than being a teacher.

What caught Clayton Xavier’s attention were the furtive street vendors. Most were villagers from nearby, who came to town to sell local produce and vegetables to earn a little extra money. Verna Golding was a frequent seller.

However, Clayton Xavier was more interested in a boy selling photographs. He was about eleven or twelve years old, with a yellow-green satchel slung over his shoulder. He would approach any young men and women he saw. From a distance, Clayton could see they were photos. Although not many people were buying, there were a few takers. The price wasn’t low: twenty cents for one, or fifty cents for three.

A girl bought three, and Clayton Xavier deliberately moved closer. He saw they were pictures of a very beautiful female movie star. They were clearly developed photographs, and the cost couldn’t be high—just a few cents per picture, yet they sold for twenty cents each. The profit margin was obvious.

Clayton Xavier wanted to ask the boy about his supplier. He planned to sell them in Wraven. The small town had little foot traffic, whereas the city was full of people. Business would surely be good at the train and bus stations. It had to be said, Clayton Xavier’s business acumen was on par with Adrian Hawthorne’s. No wonder he was destined to become a mogul who could contend with him.

But the boy was extremely wary. The moment Clayton Xavier opened his mouth, the boy scurried away. He had no intention of sharing his money-making opportunity with a stranger. Clayton Xavier could only give a helpless, wry smile, but he wasn’t discouraged. ’I’ll go into the city in a few days and take a look. There are bound to be more opportunities there. I’m an adult now. I can’t just sit at home like a good-for-nothing anymore and let my mother work herself to the bone day and night.’

’Besides, I need to earn more money to take Grandma to the county hospital. Her cough can’t be put off any longer.’

"Everyone, come and see the tramp and her lover! Shameless dogs, fooling around in broad daylight... Come and see!"

The loud CLANGING sounds made Clayton Xavier stop out of curiosity. He looked toward the source of the noise and saw a dense crowd of people, even more bustling than during a festival. Clayton Xavier had intended to go have a look, but upon hearing the shouts, his face flushed with embarrassment, and he turned to leave.

’It’s better not to look at such filthy business,’ he thought. ’Don’t want to dirty my eyes. I should just hurry home and give the egg money to Mom so she won’t worry.’

But then—

"Hey, isn’t that Phoenix Golding? And isn’t her lover Storm Xavier?" someone in the crowd cried out in surprise.

Clayton Xavier’s foot, which he had just lifted, froze in mid-air. He spun back around, his expression one of utter shock, unable to believe his ears.

’Storm Xavier?’

’Is that my father?’

’And Phoenix Golding... is she the one I know?’

"How could a hussy like that have only one lover? She probably takes a new groom every day of the year!" Goldie Thorne, who was banging on the washbasin, had sharp ears and immediately bellowed back in response.

His old man and his Sixth Uncle had given him clear instructions: he had to completely destroy this bitch, with no regard for neighborly ties. Besides, Byron Thorne had been dropping hints lately, questioning his competence. His Sixth Uncle felt the same way, thinking he was incompetent for taking so long to catch the adulterers without any results. Goldie Thorne was already seething with frustration.

He’d be a son of a bitch if he didn’t ruin that bitch Phoenix today.

Phoenix Golding was overcome with shame and indignation, unable to even lift her head. Although it was the end of June and sweltering hot, she felt a bone-deep chill, colder than the dead of winter. She shivered uncontrollably. The jeers, curses, and scornful glares hurt more than a knife to the flesh.

’She couldn’t even think about the future anymore. All she wanted now was to escape the present humiliation. Could someone please give me some clothes to wear?’