Tang Xiaonan furrowed her brow, feeling quite frustrated. When Adrian Hawthorne was being ganged up on by the Golding family just now, all Rosalind Green did was stand by and cry, completely useless. ’They say motherhood makes you strong, but how could this Rosalind Green be so pathetic!’

"Aunt Green, please stop crying. Mr. Hawthorne and I aren’t even crying."

’And we’re the ones who are hurt! Our faces are throbbing, but this woman isn’t even injured. What in the world does she have to cry about!’

’I really don’t understand how Adrian Hawthorne’s father could have married such an emotional, delicate woman. She was a looker, sure, but she’s utterly impractical. And fine, he married her. But to know your wife is the kind of beauty that could be a femme fatale and still leave this helpless woman in the care of your eight-year-old son... Wasn’t he afraid he’d end up losing them both?’

’What on earth did that man go off to do? Could anything be more important than the lives of his wife and son?’

’Or maybe the man simply didn’t care if his wife and son lived or died?’

’In the book, after Adrian Hawthorne was taken away by his father, their relationship apparently wasn’t good. He didn’t get much support from him, either. He essentially built his business empire on his own.’

Tang Xiaonan looked at Adrian Hawthorne with sympathy. ’An uncaring father and a helpless mother,’ she thought. ’What a poor kid.’

Rosalind Green’s sobs faltered. Through her tear-blurred vision, she saw her son’s badly swollen face, the red handprint on Tang Xiaonan’s cheek, and her swollen lips. A wave of guilt washed over her. ’What’s the point of a useless person like me going on living? I’d be better off dead than dragging down my son!’

’But I promised my husband I’d stay alive and wait for him to return. I have to keep my promises... What am I supposed to do?’

Torn with indecision, Rosalind Green felt her heart break all over again, and a fresh torrent of tears began to flow. Tang Xiaonan rolled her eyes, completely at a loss for words when it came to this woman. Forcing down her impatience, she turned to the impassive Adrian Hawthorne and said, "Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you!"

As she said this, Tang Xiaonan had no ulterior motives. She genuinely felt sorry for the boy. Even if Adrian Hawthorne didn’t amount to anything in the future, she would still do whatever she could to help him.

Adrian Hawthorne’s impassive expression softened, and a warmth spread through his chest. ’This chubby girl actually wants to protect me,’ he thought. ’She doesn’t even have all her teeth yet.’

"Then you’d better eat a lot, so you can grow taller and get some strength."

Adrian Hawthorne said this with a straight face, not refusing her offer, but simply teasing the little girl. ’He didn’t need anyone’s protection. If it weren’t for Rosalind Green holding him back, he’d be doing just fine on his own.’

Tang Xiaonan furrowed her brow, glancing down at her own chubby arms and round belly. ’Eating more wasn’t a problem, but she was worried she’d just grow wider instead of taller. What would she do then?’

"Aaargh... He’s killing him... Help! Murder!"

The shrill screams sent a flock of birds on the mountain scattering into the air. Sherman Golding was hoisted up by one of Felix Thorne’s hands and getting pummeled, completely powerless to fight back. With every blow from Felix Thorne’s stone-like fists, Sherman Golding was learning the true meaning of pain.

"Let go of my dad!"

Bowman Golding, who had been wailing on the ground, was at least a dutiful son. He scrambled to his feet to help, and the two of them, father and son, ganged up on Felix Thorne. Bowman Golding even raised a hoe, a murderous look on his face.

"Dad, look out!"

Tang Xiaonan panicked. Like a little cannonball, she charged out and slammed with all her might into Bowman Golding’s back. ’Shameless bastard! Ganging up on him two-on-one, and using a weapon, too!’ 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Adrian Hawthorne rushed over as well. Before Bowman Golding could get back up, Adrian leaped into the air and came down on him with all his weight, nearly squeezing the crap out of him. Adrian Hawthorne snatched away his carrying pole and began to fight him.