Chapter 275: Scott York’s Envy

Chapter 275: Chapter 275: Scott York’s Envy

"If that’s the case..." Christian motioned for everyone to gather around. "I have a plan."

Five minutes later.

Christian finished explaining his plan, and Master Mia provided her input. Christian nodded, and they unanimously approved Mia’s plan. Zachery looked confused, while Scott York remained utterly silent. He discreetly glanced at Christian, wondering if he could actually have friends too.

After lunch, Estelle Lockwood suddenly raised an eyebrow. "Mia, where’s your watch?"

The three children each had a watch specially customized by Nathaniel Sloan. They loved them so much that they wore them even while eating and sleeping. But now, the watch had vanished from Mia’s wrist.

Mia’s eyes darted around as she remembered her plan, and she immediately pressed a finger to her lips. "Mommy, I’ll tell you later, okay?"

Estelle was a bit curious. "Is it that much of a secret?"

Mia nodded firmly. "Yeah! It’s a huge secret, so I can’t tell you right now!"

Estelle never minded her children having their own little secrets, so she gently patted Mia’s head. "As long as you’re not doing anything bad."

Mia gave a loud hum of agreement. "Then I’m going out to play."

After Mia left, Estelle basked in the sun in the courtyard, resting her chin in her hand. "Mr. Sloan, stop keeping such a straight face."

Nathaniel lowered his eyes calmly.

"See? Because you’re always scowling, Mia felt too awkward to approach you," Estelle said.

Estelle understood Mia perfectly. She had watched the little girl grow up, and the moment she saw those darting eyes, she knew exactly what Mia was up to. Mia had deliberately shown off her empty wrist so Estelle would ask about the watch. Then, she claimed it was a secret so Estelle wouldn’t pry. It was all an act put on for Scott to see.

Estelle stroked her chin. "They probably want to do something, but Scott is too scared. So, Mia is trying to prove that her mommy is very reasonable."

Nathaniel remained unfazed. He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the two boys in the corner, wondering if that meant their daddy was unreasonable. Christian and Zachery exchanged a look before deciding to stop watching and quickly slipping away.

Meanwhile, in another corner of the bed-and-breakfast.

Scott’s eyes widened slightly. "Your mommy actually didn’t interrogate you..." he muttered subconsciously. He knew the value of the watch on Mia Lockwood’s wrist. Yet, when her mother saw it was missing, she wasn’t the least bit surprised or angry.

If it had been him, Thea York would probably... No, if it were him, he wouldn’t even own a watch like that in the first place.

His aunt had always told him that he was the sin of the York family and that he shouldn’t even exist. Since his parents were dead, him being alive was a mistake in itself. If he had any sense, he should have died right alongside them. But Scott was afraid of pain and couldn’t bear to die, so he had just dragged out his miserable existence while his aunt’s insults only grew more vicious. In his mind, all of this was completely normal. After all, it was how he had lived since he was born.

But now, seeing Mia and her mommy, Scott finally realized that there were actually parents this wonderful in the world.

"See? My mommy won’t interrogate me or blame me. We can put this plan into action!" Mia stuffed the watch into Scott’s arms. Christian and Zachery also nodded in agreement.

The reason Scott had kept refusing the plan was precisely because he worried Mia would get scolded. This supposed school bully and mastermind behind harassing his classmates had heard Mia’s plan, and his very first reaction was to worry that she would be punished by her parents for losing her watch.

Under Mia’s repeated reassurances, Scott took the watch. He pursed his lips, his large eyes flickering. "Okay."

Half an hour later.

A group of people entered the bed-and-breakfast. The two people leading the group appeared to be streamers actively broadcasting live, followed by several assistants carrying bags. Upon entering, the owner approached to inform them that there were no rooms available, but the two streamers stated they were just casually filming the local culture and scenery.

Estelle narrowed her eyes slightly. She felt that there was something incredibly strange about this live stream’s arrival.

Right at that moment, Scott walked out. On his thick, chubby wrist, he wore a little yellow duck watch that completely clashed with his appearance. Estelle recognized it as Mia’s watch at a glance. Thinking back to what Mia had said earlier, she simply took a sip of tea and didn’t make a move.

The two streamers’ cameras, intentionally or not, focused on Scott. Thea acted as if she hadn’t noticed a thing. "Scott, come here. Let’s go for a walk... What is this?"

At that moment, Thea finally seemed to notice the little yellow duck watch on Scott’s wrist, and her expression instantly changed. "Scott, where did you get this watch? You... How could you steal things again? Hurry up and return it! What am I supposed to do with you?"

Due to years of verbal abuse, Scott had developed a reflex. The moment he heard Thea speak, his subconscious reaction was to go apologize to Mia. But then, he suddenly remembered Mia’s words.

"If it were my mommy and she saw a new watch on my wrist, she would ask me where it came from—whether I bought it or a friend gave it to me. But she would never assume I stole it.

"But the moment that bad lady sees this watch, she will absolutely say that you stole it.

"Scott, that’s not normal at all, is it?"

Scott pulled himself out of his thoughts. He clenched his fists and pursed his lips. Mia was right. It wasn’t normal!

Thea shot a pointed look at the two streamers before feigning helplessness. "Scott? Scott? Is this Mia’s watch? Based on the size and color, it clearly belongs to a girl. You... Sigh, Mia must be so anxious!

"Didn’t I tell you? If you want something, just tell me and I’ll buy it for you. But stealing your classmate’s watch without a second thought? How are others supposed to view you?"

Scott remained completely silent.

The two streamers looked over. "Is there anything we can help with?"

Thea looked helplessly at the camera, making sure her face was clearly visible in the frame before shaking her head. "It’s nothing. This is just a private family matter."

The male streamer immediately chimed in. "Not to be nosy, but I just heard you say something about the child stealing. Since he’s still young, this bad habit can still be corrected. You should really talk some sense into him."

An assistant nodded in agreement. "Exactly. In my family, if a child stole something and misbehaved, they would definitely get a beating. Ma’am, you’re just being far too lenient with your child."

Thea pursed her lips and suddenly began to sigh. "Lenient or not, there’s nothing I can do... This is the child my eldest brother left behind. My brother passed away, so the whole family dotes on him. As just his aunt, it’s not my place to discipline him."

Scott thought of Mia’s words once again.

"After accusing you of stealing and branding you a criminal, that bad woman will wash her hands of you entirely.

"That way, your stealing becomes entirely proof of your own corrupt morals and has absolutely nothing to do with her.

"She’ll even claim that you’re the apple of the York family’s eye, that everyone spoils you, and that the family has never done you wrong."