Chapter 586: Appearance is Justice
Clayton Xavier’s face flushed. He wasn’t used to talking to girls this close, especially girls he didn’t know. Ellie Ashton’s enthusiasm made him fidget, and his whole body felt awkward.
"I’m Clayton Xavier, a friend of Patrick Thorne’s."
Clayton replied politely, shuffling a little closer to Adrian Hawthorne, his face growing even redder.
"I’m Ellie Ashton," she said, her eyes practically glued to him. ’Wow, this is the first time I’ve ever seen a boy this handsome.’
’So those stories about princes as flawless as jade, unequaled in the world, are actually true.’
"Yes."
Clayton dodged Ellie’s fiery gaze, unable to handle it. ’Are all city girls this forward?’
Tang Xiaonan glanced sympathetically at a dejected Patrick Thorne. ’Her poor second brother.’ His budding romance had been nipped in the bud. It was obvious the Secretary’s daughter truly saw him as just a friend.
Besides, she sensed a kindred spirit in Ellie—another sucker for a pretty face.
Beauty is justice, and morals follow a handsome face. If she hadn’t seen her fair share of pretty boys in her past life and built up some resistance, she’d be swooning over Clayton Xavier’s good looks right alongside Ellie.
Adrian Hawthorne was actually quite handsome, but he was outshone sitting next to Clayton Xavier. Clayton was the eternal "white moonlight" in every woman’s heart—the perfect, unattainable dream. Adrian... he was a "black moonlight," at best.
Jim Thorne looked curious. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out why his future sister-in-law was only talking to Clayton Xavier and completely ignoring his second brother.
But his mind was currently preoccupied with the Coca-Cola. He had no time to worry about his downcast brother. He chugged the entire can and let out a few satisfied, gassy burps.
The ticket inspector’s shout was a lifeline for Clayton Xavier. He shot to his feet and hurried to the gate as if fleeing, pulling Adrian Hawthorne along behind him. ’I really don’t like talking to girls. I never know what to say.’
"I’m not in the same carriage as you all."
Ellie Ashton looked at Patrick Thorne’s ticket and grew displeased. It would be so boring to be in a carriage all by herself.
"We’ll see if we can arrange a swap once we’re on board," Patrick Thorne said.
Ellie brightened up again and pulled a Seagull camera from her bag. "We can take pictures then! I’m a great photographer. I hear the nightscape in Capria is beautiful, with a different kind of charm than Tristone’s."
"We already went sightseeing last time, but Patrick hasn’t," said Jim Thorne.
"Then let’s all go together! Clayton Xavier, have you been before?" Ellie asked, craning her neck.
Clayton Xavier shook his head. "It’ll be my first time in Capria."
"Let’s go together! I can take your picture. You’re so handsome, you must be photogenic," Ellie praised unabashedly. Patrick Thorne was suddenly struck with the urge to punch Clayton Xavier. ’The more I look at that pretty boy, the more I can’t stand him.’
Clayton Xavier gave a shy smile and turned his head away. The angle gave Ellie a perfect view of his side profile, and she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh. ’What a beauty!’
"Bro, something’s not right here. What’s the deal with you two?"
Even the oblivious Jim Thorne had sensed that something was amiss. ’No matter how shy my future sister-in-law is, she shouldn’t be fawning all over Clayton, right? She hasn’t even given my brother a proper look. It’s like she’s cheating on him before they’re even together!’
"It’s nothing! We’re just classmates. Where is your mind going?"
Patrick Thorne shot him an irritated glare, his expression sour. ’It’s a completely innocent friendship. What’s he going on about?’
’But still... why does this feel so wrong?’
’And the more he looked at Clayton, the more he bugged him. Skinny as a girl. What’s so handsome about him anyway? And there’s something weird about his eyes.’