Everything happened so fast that the men couldn't react in time.
When they finally regained their senses, Kenneth's car had disappeared from sight.
Anthony and Benjamin leaned against the rear window, scanning for any pursuing vehicles. “Daddy, they didn't come after us!”
Kenneth stole a quick glance at them through the rearview mirror. A smile crept onto his lips as he remarked, “They will meet their demise if they continue their pursuit of us. It seems they're not fools.”
Anthony nodded in agreement. He turned to Benjamin, looking impressed. “That was amazing, Benjamin. You did something cruel with an innocent expression. I finally realized how cold-blooded you are today!”
“Cold-blooded? Me? Of course not!”
“Of course you are. I didn't notice previously, but after this incident, I discovered you're quite good at it,” Anthony praised.
Benjamin's gaze darted about before he raised his brow. “They sent so many men after us to kill us, right? If that's the case, we need to provoke them. Otherwise, they won't be able to return and report their progress to infuriate the mastermind!”
Anthony gave him the thumbs-up. “You're just like Nat, indeed.”
“Right back at you. You didn't hesitate in throwing that grenade.”
“I could say the same of you!”
Hearing their exchange, Kenneth cut in, “Are you done praising each other?”
The boys regained their composure and turned to Kenneth. Anthony inched nearer to him and chuckled. “What's wrong, Daddy? Are you mad that we're not praising you?”
To their surprise, Kenneth glanced at them and grumbled softly, “We were all involved in the fight, but you kept praising each other. That won't work.”
Anthony and Benjamin shared a look before bursting into giggles.
It was rare to see Kenneth talking to them in such a childish manner.
Anthony quickly started, “Daddy, you were great, too!”
“Really? How so?” Kenneth asked. “That was too general.”
Anthony had to consider his words carefully, as Kenneth was seeking compliments.
After a brief pause, the boy revealed slowly, “I used to think you were just a good-looking guy without any real abilities. However, I now see that you're much more than that. You're far more capable than what people say about you.”
Kenneth was too stunned to speak.
Kenneth was too stunned to speak.
Why does his praise sound weird?
“Mm. I used to think that way, too. I thought the rumors were fake since nobody could be both good-looking and competent. But now, I'm sure of it. Daddy, you have proven that it is possible to be handsome and competent at the same time. That's amazing!”
Usually, he found it hard to communicate with Kenneth. There was no telling when their relationship got closer, as he was currently praising Kenneth sincerely.
Kenneth had to admit that Benjamin's praise made him elated.
Feeling pleased, he nodded and said, “Anthony, learn from Benjamin. This feels so much nicer.”
“Daddy, I was telling the truth!” Anthony insisted.
“Benjamin was telling the truth, too!” Kenneth replied.
“How can you be sure of that?” Anthony asked.
A deep line appeared between Kenneth's brows as he glanced at Anthony through the rearview mirror. He was about to say something when Anthony added, “Fine, okay. We'll just assume Benjamin was telling the truth.”
Kenneth gave him a curt nod and slowed down to park the car at the curbside.
He then got out of the car deftly.
Before doing that, he didn't forget to unlock the door.
Anthony and Benjamin shared a look.
Kenneth opened the backseat door and looked straight at Anthony. “Repeat your words.”
“Um, good words shouldn't be repeated!”
“You dare not speak, I assume?”
“Why would I be afraid to speak?”
“Fine. Say it again!” Kenneth fixed his gaze on him.
“We'll just assume Benjamin was...” Before Anthony could finish, Kenneth started tickling him.
Anthony burst out laughing, his laughter reverberating in the air.
“Stop it, Daddy! Daddy! Stop it!”
“So? Will you talk nicely?” Kenneth paused to ask.
Anthony laughed so hard that tears nearly escaped his eyes. When Kenneth stopped, he quickly complained, “Daddy, you're bullying me!”
“So what if I'm bullying you?”
Anthony gaped incredulously.
“Are you going to say it again?” Kenneth asked.
Anthony said nothing.
“Okay!” Kenneth wiggled his fingers and was about to start tickling Anthony again when the latter pounced on him, giving him a hug.
At that moment, they looked like a loving father and son duo.
They embraced each other, feeling as though all their previous animosity had dissipated into the ether.
Kenneth couldn't explain his feelings as he was being hugged by his son.
Anthony merely wanted to avoid being tickled, so he didn't expect that he'd hug Kenneth. Despite feeling awkward, he had to admit that an indescribable emotion was unfurling in his heart.
“Daddy, if you continue tickling me, I'll let Nat know that you bullied me!” Anthony warned.
“Sure. Tell Nat everything from A to Z,” came Kenneth's calm reply.
“Daddy, you're confident that I won't disclose anything, right?”
“Yep.”
“The conversation is dead!”
“That isn't important. What's important is your attitude. So? Have you made up your mind?”
Anthony remained silent.
“It looks like I haven't disciplined you enough.” With that, Kenneth was about to take action again.
Anthony whirled around and extended his hands out toward Benjamin. “Benjamin, save me!”
“Daddy, don't let go!” Benjamin said.
Laughter ensued among them amidst their banter.
A few minutes later, they fell silent.
Kenneth pulled out a cigarette and lit it up by the road.
Anthony and Benjamin stood beside him, staring at the ocean silently. They didn't know how to explain their current feelings.
Suddenly, Anthony broke the silence to ask, “Daddy, those men were from Vermillion Base, right?”
Kenneth lowered his gaze to look at him.
Following the previous event, he was no longer able to regard them as just ordinary children. He was aware that attempting to conceal certain issues from them was futile.
Thus, he nodded in response.
Anthony took a deep breath. “It's clear they want us dead. We haven't even settled scores with them after what they did to Nat, but they are taking things too far by wanting us dead. Daddy, don't you find this weird?”
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