Hearing the knock on the door, Anthony shot Benjamin a look, indicating for the latter to go and open the door.
Benjamin got up without a word and walked toward the door. Meanwhile, Anthony sat down and fixed his gaze on the door.
When Benjamin opened the door and saw the person standing on the other side, he sighed with relief. “Oh, it's you.”
Thalia looked at him. Arching an eyebrow, she asked, “Who else would it be?”
“I thought it was Daddy,” he replied with a grin. As he spoke, he stepped aside to let her in.
“Even if he came, what's there to be nervous about?” she asked as she walked in.
Anthony was sitting on the bed, and he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was Thalia.
She narrowed her eyes. “Have you done something wrong?”
“Of course not,” Anthony replied.
“Then what are you feeling so guilty about?”
Anthony could not be bothered to tell her that he had gotten a scolding from Kenneth. There's no way I'm telling her that.
However, his reluctance to say anything merely heightened her curiosity. She turned to Benjamin and asked, “What's with him?”
He chuckled as he looked at Anthony. “Nothing much. It's just that he got an indirect scolding from Daddy.”
Thalia's eyes narrowed.
Benjamin walked over to her and whispered something in her ear.
Thalia's furrowed brows slowly relaxed as she listened to him. Looking straight at Benjamin, she mouthed the words, “Really?”
Thalia laughed after seeing him nod in response. “Serves him right.”
Even though Benjamin had not spoken loudly, Anthony heard every word. He looked up at them and muttered, “Would you mind lowering your voice if you want to talk about others behind their backs?”
Thalia turned toward him and quipped, “Did we talk about you behind your back? We did it openly right in front of you.”
Anthony pursed his lips, scowling. He was not in the mood to argue with her.
Thalia strode over and looked at him. “I thought you came clean to him before persuading him. I had no idea he still didn't know.”
Anthony met her gaze and responded, “That just goes to show I can achieve what I want without relying on my alias as Anonymous.”
“Bravo. Kudos to you.” Thalia clapped as she spoke, but her tone did not match her actions.
Anthony shot her a sour look, then asked somewhat impatiently, “What are you doing here anyway? Did something happen?”
“Actually, yes.” Thalia gazed at him, her expression suddenly turning solemn.
“What is it? Is it serious?” Anthony asked.
“Kyle just sent word that the people at Vermillion Base want you dead.”
Anthony froze for a moment after hearing that. “They want me dead? How much money are they offering?”
Observing his calm and composed demeanor, Thalia knew she had worried needlessly.
“Not a single cent,” she replied.
Anthony was stunned. “Not a single cent? Are they not offering a bounty, or is it because I'm not worth anything?”
Thalia was silent.
“And to think I set such a high bounty on his head. D*mn it! What a major loss!” Anthony muttered.
Seeing him muttering to himself without showing the slightest hint of fear, Thalia could not help saying, “Anthony Watson, can you take this seriously? Do you think I'm joking around with you?”
Lifting his gaze and noticing how angry she looked, Anthony pondered for a moment before putting on an innocent expression. “Not at all. Don't I look like I'm taking it seriously enough?”
“You—”
“Or do you think I need to pretend to be scared to show that I'm taking it seriously?” Anthony queried, fixing his gaze on her.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: You're Out, Daddy novel (Natasha and Kenneth)