Chapter 209: I Am Number Two
So Vera Xavier whispered a few words into Jack Judd’s ear. He grew visibly excited, his eyes shining. "We’re experts at this, Boss. You can count on us!"
Vera Xavier looked at him and said, "Same rules as always. No killing. Otherwise, you have free rein."
"Don’t worry, Boss," Jack Judd said excitedly. "We always remember: we’re thugs with standards!"
Vera Xavier: "..."
’Of all the things I’ve told him, that’s the one line he remembers perfectly.’
Jack Judd escorted her back to the city. To avoid raising suspicion, they parted ways early. She calmly slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and walked into the residential compound.
As Jack Judd watched her walk away, he clicked his tongue in admiration. TSK TSK. A young thug beside him asked, "What is it, Boss?"
Jack Judd smacked the thug on the head. "Don’t call me Boss anymore. *She’s* the Boss!"
"Then what do we call you?" the thug asked, clutching his head.
Jack Judd thought for a moment. "If she’s the Boss, then I’m Number Two. From now on, call me Number Two!"
The young thug couldn’t help but burst out laughing, but Jack Judd ignored him. Stroking his chin, he mused, "No wonder she’s the woman Young Master Nathan has his eye on. She’s got guts, she’s got nerve... even the way she deals with people is as fierce as the Young Master himself!"
Of course, Vera Xavier was oblivious to Jack Judd’s assessment of her. She returned home, calm and unruffled, with her schoolbag on her back. Zachary Preston wasn’t back yet. The moment Rona Langdon saw her, her face soured, and she muttered a few curses under her breath.
Cara Preston, however, said, "Sister, where were you today? Why are you back so late? Don’t tell me you went on another date with the class president?"
"I was on a date, just not with the class president." Vera Xavier smiled faintly. "I went to the Nathans’. Nathaniel was tutoring me."
For a split second, Cara Preston’s face twisted in an ugly grimace, but she managed to force a smile. "Young Master Nathan is back? When did he get back?"
"I’m not too sure when he returned," Vera Xavier said with a smile. "But he was the one who brought me home last night. I ran into some riff-raff on the way, and he took care of them for me. He’s really good to me."
’That’s right. She was saying all this just to piss Cara Preston off. Cara loved to put on an act, and Vera loved watching her struggle to maintain it.’
Sure enough, Cara Preston’s expression turned foul. Vera noticed her hands were clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms, yet she still managed to squeeze out a smile. "Sister, I’m so happy for you, that Young Master Nathan cares so much about you."
"I suppose I’m just so exceptional that people can’t help but like me. What can you do?" Vera Xavier said with a look of feigned modesty.
Cara Preston: "..."
’When did Vera become so shameless! How can she say things like that with a straight face!’
Cara Preston screamed internally. ’No! Nathaniel is mine! I absolutely will not let Vera Xavier steal him away!’
She took a deep breath, trying to make her smile look more natural. "You’re right, Sister. You take after Mom, of course, so you’re just as exceptional! You’re my favorite sister!"
Vera scoffed internally. ’Whether in her past life or her current one, she had always underestimated just how thick-skinned Cara Preston could be. If you put Cara’s face next to a castle wall, the wall would probably jump into the moat out of pure shame.’
Cara then asked, "Sister, are you going to the Nathans’ for tutoring again tomorrow? If you are, could you take me with you? There’s a lot I don’t understand that I’d like to ask Young Master Nathan."