The atmosphere instantly got so awkward that Natasha was at a loss of how to react.
Monitoring the evolvement of the situation and amidst concern that Zachary would be upset, Terence promptly intervened. “Come on, Liam. Let’s head outside for a chat.” Tilting his head, he motioned for the latter to follow.
Given the long history between the pair, Liam understood his counterpart’s intention at one glance. The sight of Zachary reduced Liam’s mouth to a pout. “Yeah, fine.”
On the way out, Liam turned and cast a glance at Kenneth. “You, stay here and take care of Nat.”
Whereas Kenneth nodded in acknowledgment, Natasha was rendered speechless.
The two of them did it on purpose, didn’t they?
From there, the room was left with just Natasha, Zachary, the two children, and Kenneth.
The atmosphere, too, was peculiar in its own way.
Regarding the two little ones, Natasha said, “Go and do your homework.”
In response, Benjamin and Denise nodded obediently. “Okay.”
Hence, off went the two of them.
Reacting to the situation, Kenneth went over to the pair of tykes. “I’ll help guide you along.”
Hearing that put a broad smile on Denise’s lips. She, however, reined herself in when she noticed the way Natasha was looking at her. “Thank you, Mr. Handsome.”
“Don’t mention it,” replied Kenneth with a warm smile. He then cast an eye over his own shoulder toward Natasha with his brows perked in an act of provocation.
Natasha rolled her eyes at him.
Childish.
All of that did not escape Zachary. Yet, he acted as though he was unaware while he addressed Natasha. “Would you like to have some fruits?”
Natasha was about to respond in the negative when Zachary picked up one. “Denise told me that oranges are your favorites.”
Natasha made no denial of that. “The little girl tells you everything, doesn’t she?”
Declining to reply, Zachary simply peeled an orange for her. “Try this one.”
Natasha inspected it before she took it from him. “Thank you.” Then, she popped it into her mouth.
“How is it? Is it sweet?”
Natasha nodded. “Very.”
“Have some more, then.” Zachary continued to peel for her.
The two of them chatted away happily while she ate one slice after another.
To the side, those dark eyes of the observing Kenneth seemed to have become awash with colors as the corner of his lips evoked a cold smirk.
Those subtle expressions of his did not elude Denise.
Finally, she understood why there needed to be two equally matched men inside television dramas. It was only with the conflict created through an intense rivalry between two comparable men that an engaging journey and satisfying ending could be made possible.
Perhaps allowing for such drama to happen isn’t necessarily a bad thing after all.
However, she decided to assist Kenneth because she could not bear seeing him in a position of disadvantage.
“I’m thirsty, Mr. Handsome,” Denise said.
When Kenneth heard her, he looked at Denise with his lips curled upward. “Hang on. Let me go get some water for you.” With that, he got up and went off in the direction where Zachary and Natasha were.
Glancing Denise’s way, Benjamin shook his head helplessly.
Oh, women! Such devious creatures they are!
Then, he lowered his gaze to resume his work.
Zachary and Natasha were conversing when Kenneth walked by. The latter feigned casualness while he poured water into a glass, just as Zachary and Natasha likewise talked on as though they did not see him.
Once done with his task, Kenneth turned around, only to see what an enjoyable time the two of them were having. In the next second, he bent his wrist to send the water from the glass splashing right onto Zachary.
Zachary immediately set himself upright.
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Lynch. I did not mean to do that.” While Kenneth spoke, there was a spot of gleefulness in his expression.
Natasha rolled her eyes at him. Are you sure that was accidental?
Drawing some tissues off the table, she passed them along to Zachary. “Are you all right?”
Shaking his head, Zachary maintained his good-humored demeanor. “I’m okay.”
“Surely you aren’t mad, are you, Mr. Lynch?” asked Kenneth.
Zachary regarded him with the same gentlemanly smile. “No big deal. It’s just a shirt.”
Kenneth nodded. “That’s good to know, but your shirt’s all soaked through. Looks like you might have to head home to get changed, Mr. Lynch.”
It was apparent to anyone what Kenneth meant by that.
Zachary cast a glance at Kenneth and subsequently turned his gaze toward Natasha. “It’s getting rather late, so I should get going. Have a good rest, Nat. I’d come by again tomorrow.”
Natasha nodded. “All right, then. Take care.”
Zachary nodded.
“I shan’t be seeing you out then, Mr. Lynch,” Kenneth said.
Zachary’s lips curled up as he shot Kenneth a look. “It’s fine.” With that, he then turned to the two little ones. “See you, Benjamin, Denise.”
“See you, Mr. Zach.”
“Bye, Mr. Zach.”
Benjamin and Denise waved to him.
Smilingly, Zachary turned to exit, closing the door behind him. Kenneth’s brows perked up smugly when he thought of having scored such an easy victory.
At that moment, Natasha regarded him. “Is there a point to this, Kenneth?”
“What?” Kenneth turned and regarded her with an innocuous expression.
Natasha sneered. “Those are some fine acting chops you got there, Mr. Hamilton. You could consider becoming an actor should your business ever go under.”
Kenneth’s lips curled up. “It takes one to know another.”
Following that, he filled up a new glass that he took over to Denise. “Here, Darling. Drink up.”
“Thank you, Mr. Handsome.”
Receiving the glass from him, Denise met Natasha’s gaze before she looked away and took a sip.
Good grief! I did not foresee Daddy being so cunning. To think that he’d pull off a stunt like that!
Even she could tell that that was deliberate.
What a scheming man he is. I can’t even look at him.
As for Kenneth, his expression remained as nonchalant as ever.
Sometimes, the end justifies the means.
Hence, he was quietly filled with glee.
Refusing to bother about him, Natasha laid her head down to rest. Out of sight, out of mind.
Meanwhile, Terence and Liam had found a spot outside where they could sit face to face.
Terence had no idea how to broach the subject, as it should not have been him to be the one to bring up that issue to begin with.
“Hey, Terence. Don’t tell me that those two kids belong to Nat?” Liam asked.
“Of course, they are hers!”
“No. What I mean to ask is, were they the children of Nat and my grandson?”
Liam’s question was met with Terence’s silence.
That silence, though, told Liam everything he needed to know.
“Really? Is that true?” Liam pressed agitatedly.
“Absolutely not!” Terence replied. “Those two children are from the Watson family, and they have nothing whatsoever to do with you Hamiltons!”
That prompted a visceral reaction from Liam.
“You… You old bugger… When Nat conceived a pair of twins back in the day, Kenneth only found out after the divorce. I know that he had looked up Nat before pertaining to this matter, so you cannot fool me!” Liam said.
“So what? Those babies had already been aborted right from the beginning,” Terence said.
“Fancy being so full of crap for someone at your age. In that case, tell me, then. Who’s their father?”
“It doesn’t matter. All you need to know is they don’t belong to the Hamilton family!” came Terence’s resolute reply.
That, however, had Liam even more convinced than ever that those must be his own great-grandchildren.
The striking features of those children alone are already proof in themselves. Coupled with my understanding of Terence, this has to be true. One hundred percent!
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