Seeing that Liam went silent, Denise said, “Great-grandpa, I don't wish to be a good-for-nothing scion and live under the protection of others forever.”
Liam knew that Denise was making a sound argument. However, he was still worried about her safety.
“Denise, you're still young. You don't fully understand how the world can be a very dangerous place. You will understand better when you're older,” Liam said in an attempt to change her mind.
“I will never truly understand the world that you claim to be dangerous if I'm always living under your protection!” Denise said.
Liam was rendered speechless.
He could find no words to refute the little girl.
Liam pursed his lips and scanned the room before finally setting his gaze on Natasha.
“Nat, what do you say?” Liam asked. He desperately needed someone to support his stance.
However, to Liam's surprise, Natasha said calmly, “Old Mr. Hamilton, I respect Denise's decision.”
Despite getting a bit of a scare from the incident, Natasha knew that there was no other way to get around some things. If Thea truly had the intention to harm Denise, she would see that her goals were accomplished, one way or another. Hence, there was no point in hiding Denise away because of this incident.
After all, Denise had hard truths to learn in life. Nobody would be spared from the cruelties of reality, not even Denise. Natasha thought it would be wiser to raise Denise to be stronger so that her daughter could fend for herself.
Liam raised his brows in response after Natasha was done talking. It had never occurred to him that Natasha would go along with Denise's choice.
After debating with himself for a moment, Liam turned to Kenneth and asked in a displeased tone, “Kenneth, what do you say?”
Everyone's gaze fell on Kenneth right then.
Kenneth was sitting beside Denise and crossing his legs, eyeing Natasha the whole time. He furrowed his brows when he was suddenly called upon by Liam.
Just when he was hesitating, Denise reached out to tug at his shirt and gave him a puppy-eyed look.
Of course, Kenneth was worried as well. He so wished that he could protect her and let her grow up without having to be plagued by any worries in life. However, he also knew that he could not stay by her side twenty-four-seven, nor would he be able to protect her till the end of time. Hence, the best way to protect her was to let her learn how to protect herself.
Kenneth reckoned Natasha thought the same when she said that she would respect Denise's decision in the matter.
With that thought in mind, he said, “Grandpa, I know you love Denise. But I'm afraid there is no place truly secure enough to hide her away and we can't protect her forever. It is best that she learn how to protect herself.”
Liam did not bother listening to all the arguments laid out. He looked at Kenneth and said, “Quit spewing this nonsense. Are you saying that you agree to let Denise return to shoot the movie?”
Kenneth nodded.
Denise beamed with delight in response.
However, Liam was not having it. He shot up from his seat and said in a defeated manner, “Since all of you have decided that this is for the best, I have nothing else to say. I don't ask for much. I just want Denise to be safe and sound.”
Before they could respond, Liam had already stormed out the door. They exchanged glances with one another, unsure of what to say.
“Great-grandpa is angry...” Denise pursed her lips.
Kenneth comforted her, “It's all right. He's just worried about your safety. It's hard for him to accept this right now. I'm going to talk to him.”
Denise nodded.
Terence stood up when he saw that Kenneth was about to head outside. “Let me talk to him instead. I know that you youngsters are making a sound argument, but you have to try to at least see things from our perspectives, too. Liam almost got a heart attack when he knew about Denise's incident. It makes sense that he's opposed to the idea.”
“I've failed to consider his feelings in this matter...” Natasha mumbled.
“No, it was my fault. This has nothing to do with you,” Kenneth said.
Terence was glad to see Kenneth jumping to Natasha's defense right then.
“Old Mr. Watson, I think it's best that I talk to Grandpa about this,” Kenneth said.
“You're going to add fuel to the fire if you talk to him. Let me. I know what's on Liam's mind best.”
Kenneth did not insist. “Thank you.”
“Take good care of Denise,” Terence said before he headed outside.
The director dared not utter a word and stood aside.
After all, he was the one to bring up the topic, and the spat between the two great families could tear him apart. Hence, he thought it best to keep his mouth shut.
Just when he was thinking of the best way to excuse himself, Kenneth turned around and looked at him.
“Is there anything else?”
The director shook his head and replied, “N-No.”
“Well, then you may leave,” Kenneth said. It was clear that he wanted the director out of the room.
The corner of the director's lips twitched as he said, “I'm going to take my leave, then.”
Then, he glanced over at Denise, who was on the bed, and said, “Denise, you take good care of yourself, all right? I'm going to leave now.”
“Goodbye,” Denise said.
The director nodded at them and went out of the ward.
He heaved a sigh of relief after closing the door behind him.
These few days had been full trials for him.
First, Denise had disappeared from the set. The entire film crew would have been implicated if the public had found out about a child going missing on the set.
Then, there was Denise's family background.
He could not help but feel a chill down his spine when he recalled the pointed look in Kenneth's eyes.
Luckily, Denise was found safe and sound. Otherwise, he could not even begin to fathom what would befall him.
Right then, Sharon caught up with the director.
“Director.”
The director wiped the sweat on his forehead and said, “Sharon, are you leaving too?”
“Director, you will have to keep Denise's identity a secret if she continues with the filming.”
The director frowned. “Why?”
“This is what Denise wants. She doesn't wish for others to think that she only landed the role because of her background.”
“That's not why she got the role.”
“Words can be intimidating. Besides, if some malicious people were to find out about her background, what would happen if they abduct her and ask for ransom? It is entirely possible that it could happen,” Sharon reasoned.
The director thought Sharon had a point.
It had happened before, after all. Celebrities had been abducted on the set. On top of what had happened to Denise, it was possible that what Sharon said could happen.
The director shuddered at the thought. Am I not placing a ticking time bomb beside me, then? Is it too late for me to regret my decision?
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