The voting passed.
Anthony nodded. “So be it, if that's the case!”
Benjamin gave Denise a nod of agreement.
Anthony went forward and stopped in his tracks when he suddenly remembered something. “Another question—who's going to take the lead?”
Three of them exchanged looks without saying a thing.
“Let's cast a vote by pointing to the person we want to vote for, and the final results cannot be disputed,” Anthony suggested.
He then nodded at Denise to express approval.
“One, two, three, vote!”
Immediately after he counted down and before he could raise his hand, Denise and Benjamin's fingers were already pointed toward him.
Anthony stared at them, perplexed. “Are you both in cahoots?”
Denise flashed an impish smile, immensely pleased with the outcome.
Benjamin said, “We're not intentionally targeting you. I'm just saying no one is as good as you are at blackmailing, so this role is perfect for you.”
“Why so humble? You're not so bad yourself. Why don't you go?” Anthony asked.
“I'm the brains, and you're the brawn,” Benjamin countered.
Denise seconded what he said with a nod. “Ben is right.”
“I—”
“Tony, the final results can't be contested,” she reminded him.
Anthony swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. He had made the rules. Saying anything else would be a slap to himself.
“Fine, I'll go and show you my charms.” He retracted his gaze and headed in the direction of Spencer's lab.
He knocked on the door before pushing it open. Then, he saw two figures inside clasped in each other's embrace as the door swung open.
Anthony froze in bewilderment.
Uh... What's happening? Are they flirting like that? And why is there a couple in each room?
As he stood there, rooted to the ground, Denise and Benjamin came from behind him. “What's the matter? Weren't you going to show us your prowess? Why aren't you going in?” Denise asked.
Anthony hastily slipped out when he heard her approaching, and Benjamin caught a brief glimpse inside before the door was closed.
Denise, on the other hand, didn't see anything and looked at Anthony. “What is it? Why did you close the door?”
He pursed his lips. “Give me a moment. I'll go in to ask later.”
“Why?” she pressed.
“There are people flirting inside,” Benjamin replied.
Denise stopped dead, her eyes as wide as saucers. “Do you mean Thalia and Spencer?”
He nodded.
She seemed to recall something and added, “Oh, right. I was the one who sent Thalia over. What are they doing...” Denise took a step forward with a curious expression to cop a peek.
Anthony and Benjamin's hands shot out to grab her collar.
“What are you both doing?” She struggled.
“See no evil!”
“Hear no evil!”
Anthony and Benjamin finished each other's sentences.
Denise gave up since she couldn't break free from their grips, no matter how hard she tried. “Fine, fine, I won't peep at them. Jeez, why did you say it as if it's something bad?”
“It's nothing to be curious about. It's just a normal thing people do,” Anthony responded.
Benjamin chimed in, “It's the most boring thing on earth.”
Her brows furrowed at their answers, and she shook her head wryly with a sigh. “You're both hopeless. I worry for your future girlfriends.”
Anthony slanted her a look. “Worry about yourself.”
Denise jutted her chin out arrogantly. “I'm not worried about myself. I've thought it out—I'm going to stay by Daddy and Nat and be contented with their love.”
“So why are you obsessed with watching romance TV shows?” Anthony asked.
“You don't get it, do you? It's interesting to watch from the sidelines, but it doesn't mean I aspire to be in their positions,” she explained.
Anthony and Benjamin were baffled by her answer.
This was the chasm that separated guys and girls.
Looking at their confused expressions, she said, “Forget about it. You won't understand, no matter how hard I explain. We should discuss our next move.”
Anthony pressed his lips together, and just as he was about to answer, the door was pulled open, and Thalia appeared at the doorway. “What next move?”
The three of them didn't dare move a muscle at her appearance.
Thalia's red-rimmed eyes swept over Anthony. “You, come here.”
He immediately obeyed, and she placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it a little. Her eyes fell on Benjamin and Denise. “What mischief are you three getting up to here?”
Denise shook her head while Benjamin remained silent.
Thalia's gaze darted around before settling on Anthony. “Tell me.”
“Why me?”
“Because you're the most dishonest among the three of you,” she said.
“Thalia, are you sure it's not your prejudice talking?” Anthony shot back.
She sank into a quiet contemplation before nodding. “You may be right.”
Anthony was dumbfounded. Is this an admission that she was mistaken?
“Your prejudice will do irreversible and untold damage to my childlike spirit!” He looked at her.
“So what? There's nothing you can do about it.”
Words eluded Anthony.
A giggle escaped Denise's lips as she observed their exchange. It seems like Thalia is Anthony's nemesis now. Only she is bold enough to behave brazenly in front of him.
Anthony looked at Thalia, and at that moment, he felt powerless against her.
She stepped forward to pinch his cherubic cheeks after noticing his silence. “That's right; a boy should know when to relent and when to persevere. I must say, your cheeks are so supple.”
She squeezed and kneaded his cheeks with her fingertips as if she was enjoying it.
“Thalia!” Anthony growled in a low voice, his brows knitting together in a frown when his cheeks started smarting.
She got ahold of herself and drew back. “I'm sorry. I was caught up in it, and my fingers were a touch too forceful.”
He was speechless.
“It's nothing. Everything's fine now,” Thalia cajoled.
As Anthony looked at her, he decided he shouldn't hold back any longer. “I'd like to speak with you about something, Thalia.”
She noticed his serious expression and asked, “What is it?”
“You—”
“Hold on,” Thalia cut Anthony off before he could finish his sentence. “This won't do. I'm starting to feel exhausted standing here. We'll talk after you help me back to my room.”
He choked down whatever he wanted to say and held her hand as they slowly inched their way back to her room.
Benjamin approached her other side and took her arm as well.
Thalia peered at them with a mix of amusement and contentment in her eyes.
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