Anthony felt his heart soften when he saw the dejected expression on his father's face. “No, I tried to tell you before. When we were in the uninhabited zone, you mocked me just when I tried to come clean about it. I got mad and decided to hold back...” he mumbled.
“Even so, you still had many opportunities to tell me,” Kenneth replied.
Sheer exasperation inundated Anthony as he spoke. “Daddy, think about it. I hesitated to tell you the truth several times before, haven't I? I want to be honest with you. Alas, I didn't have the chance to do so!”
Narrowing his eyes, Kenneth asked, “Is that so?”
“Yes! Besides, you were acting so jealous. Have you forgotten about that?” Anthony questioned, arching his eyebrows.
Kenneth pondered for a moment. Well, he has a point. Despite that, he remained unperturbed. ”I was not being jealous.”
“What was it if not jealousy?” Anthony asked, chuckling.
Kenneth took a deep breath before answering, “I was just worried about you.”
Anthony could not hold back his laughter and nodded vigorously. “Yes, of course, you were worried. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have kept you in the dark. When you mocked me back then, I should've mustered up the courage and told you that the person you ridiculed was your biological son instead of your love rival...”
Since Anthony was in the wrong, he would do anything to get on Kenneth's good side.
However, Kenneth narrowed his eyes at those remarks. “Why do I detect a hint of dissatisfaction in your tone?”
Shaking his head, Anthony answered with a serious expression, “No! I'm not feeling displeased, Daddy. If anything, I'm impressed by your whole act.”
Kenneth stared at Anthony. Even though the latter was buttering him up, his expression was sincere. Hence, he decided to let the matter go.
Looking at his son, Kenneth said, “I was curious about something in the past. I wonder how a child of your age got recruited by Darknetz even though you're quite intelligent. I finally got my answer today.”
Hearing that, Anthony broke into a grin. “Be honest, Daddy. Aren't you feeling proud deep down in your heart?”
Kenneth looked at him and sneered. “Proud?”
Anthony nodded immediately. “That's right. Don't you feel proud to have a child as smart as me?”
“Well, it's all because of my genes. What's there to be proud of?” Kenneth asked, his eyes shining with dignity.
Anthony paused for a moment before retorting, “Apart from resembling your looks, I took after Nat when it comes to other aspects!”
“Dare I say you learned how to use a computer from Nat?” Kenneth probed.
Anthony nodded. “What do you think?”
“Does that mean none of you three siblings took after me?” Kenneth inquired.
“Well, you can't put it that way. I think Denise is a lot like you,” Anthony answered with a smile.
“In what aspects?”
“Just look at how good she is at acting. Don't you think she took after you in this regard?” Anthony teased.
The moment Anthony finished speaking, he saw Kenneth grinning sinisterly.
He immediately smiled like an obedient child. “I-I was joking.”
“Anthony Watson, it seems that I've been too lenient as your father. That's why you've become so audacious!” Kenneth stated, his gaze still on his son.
Anthony looked at him in alarm. “W-What are you trying to do?”
“What do you think?”
Looking at his father, Anthony said in a trembling voice, “You aren't thinking of hitting me, are you? Daddy, this is child abuse...”
Without replying, Kenneth grabbed his son and started tickling him.
Anthony burst into a fit of giggles.
“I'm sorry, Daddy. It's my fault.”
“No, you're right. I'm the one who was in the wrong. I shouldn't get involved in this,” Kenneth replied.
“N-No! I was talking nonsense. Daddy, I'm so sorry!” Anthony continued to beg for mercy.
“Okay. Then tell me, what have you done wrong?”
“Everything! I've made so many mistakes. Daddy, you're right about everything! Please, stop...”
Anthony's fits of laughter rang out in the dark of the night as the father-and-son duo continued to play with each other.
They eventually quieted down after a long time. Anthony turned to look at Kenneth and said jokingly, “Ha! You're obviously proud of me, but you don't want to admit it. It isn't something to be ashamed of.”
Kenneth side-eyed him. “What a narcissist!”
“Nat was also shocked when she found out back then. However, I could tell that she was very proud. Daddy, you must be feeling the same, right?” Anthony probed. At that moment, he looked like a child of his age.
Kenneth sized up his son for a while before nodding. “Yes, I'm proud of you. But at the end of the day, I'm still worried.”
“Worried? What are you worried about?”
Kenneth took a deep breath before answering, “I'm worried about my gifted children. How am I going to protect all of you?”
“Daddy, you only need to protect Nat and Denise. Benjamin and I can take care of ourselves. When we become stronger in the future, we will also protect you all!” Anthony stated.
At those confident remarks, Kenneth curled his lips into a smile.
He looked at Anthony tenderly and said, “All right. I'll leave it to you guys.”
“Of course!” Anthony exclaimed.
Kenneth reached out to caress the boy's head before pulling him into his arms. “Let's go.”
Then, the two of them chatted while walking downstairs.
“Daddy, you should ask directly next time if you have any questions instead of creating such a huge fuss. You almost scared me to death!” Anthony protested.
Kenneth replied, “You didn't look scared when I rushed up earlier.”
“How can I act like a coward when you're there?” Anthony retorted.
As expected, flattery worked like a charm on Kenneth.
Furthermore, he was moved by Anthony's bravery at that moment.
While Kenneth was deep in thought, Anthony mumbled, “I don't understand why didn't you just ask me directly instead of making such a big show?” He took a deep breath afterward, still feeling a bit fearful.
“Today's situation wasn't only to make you tell the truth. The most important thing was to show you the consequences of keeping your family in the dark,” Kenneth said.
Anthony froze at his words. “So you were trying to give me a vivid lesson in life?”
“So? Was it an unforgettable lesson for you?” Kenneth inquired.
Anthony contemplated for a moment before replying, “Yes, it left a lasting impression on me.”
The two looked at each other and grinned.
When they reached downstairs, Dave was still waiting at the same spot.
Hearing their cheerful chatter, he commented, “It looks like you two had a nice conversation.”
Anthony glanced at him and replied, “Mr. Dave, it's all thanks to you!”
“You're most welcome.”
Anthony inhaled deeply. “Okay. No wonder you and Daddy are comrades.”
They're so narcissistic and full of themselves!
Dave and Kenneth smiled at each other without saying a word.
The three of them got into the car and left.
The atmosphere in the car remained cheerful.
Nevertheless, they did not know a car was slowly trailing them.
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