Chapter 174
Chapter 174
Natasha smiled as she listened to his frantic instructions.
“Stop smiling. I'm being serious!” Spencer exclaimed.
Natasha nodded. “I know you are.”
He mulled in silence for a while. “I need you to regain full health of your hand, or you won't be able to do anything when danger strikes. You'll be a sitting duck.”
It was Natasha's turn to be speechless with surprise.
The subject seemed to remind Spencer of something. “Why did you suddenly decide to treat your hand? Could it be due to what we've just discussed?”
Natasha's beautiful face remained indifferent. “It has nothing to do with Darknetz and everything to do with protecting myself and those around me. Most importantly, as I might meet my father's killer, I think it is wiser to be in my best possible form.”
Spencer narrowed his eyes at the sight of the cruelty flashing in hers.
He knew that the matter regarding her father had always been a thorn in Natasha's heart.
As long as she hasn't uncovered the truth, she will not let it go.
“No matter what you have in mind,” Spencer cautioned, “run it by me first.”
Natasha smiled appreciatively. “Don't worry.
Meanwhile, Terence had lost his appetite in the private room below.
Aside from Anthony and Denise being wronged, the very thought of Zachary's mother incensed him.
Liam knew what his friend was thinking. “Enough moping, Terence,” he advised. “There's no point in holding on to anger toward somebody like that. I won't let anybody else take advantage of our greatgrandchildren!” “Not that!” the other said impatiently.
“It's even less worth being angry with that woman!” Liam retorted. “I know what you are thinking, Terence. You like Zachary as much as you dislike his mother, and you're afraid that Nat will suffer when she marries him.”
Terence cast a wary gaze at Liam, embarrassed that his thoughts had been dissected and analyzed. “You know everything, don't you?”
“We've been friends for years, haven't we? I always know what's on your mind.” The two old men had settled down by that point, and Liam looked at his companion. “Have you conducted a background check on Zachary?”
Terence's gaze grew sharp. “What about his background?”
“Zachary is the illegitimate child of Desmond Lynch. Yes, Lynch Corporation.”
Terence was startled at the news. “Desmond's son?” he repeated.
Liam nodded.
Terence's brow creased even further at the disconcerting revelation. He had heard of Desmond while he was still in the business industry. Though the latter had built Lynch Corporation from scratch, Terence recalled Desmond's reputation as cruelly relentless and treacherous.
“Rumor has it that financial troubles have been plaguing the Lynch family of late,” Liam continued. “Their intention to form a marital alliance with the Lenoir family for financial support hasn't exactly been a secret.
Terence was even more shocked. “When did this happen?”
“It mustn't have been long ago, though it hasn't been decided yet,” replied Liam. “Zachary must have opposed the plan.”
Terence's countenance turned even paler. No wonder he hasn't been seen as of late!
“Since you were aware, why haven't you told me about this sooner?” he asked after a prolonged silence, deep in thought.
“I thought you already knew everything.” “How would I have known that? If I did, would I have allowed that kid to join the Watson family?”
Liam was stunned at his friend's outburst. “Fine. It's my fault, happy? All of this is new to me too, you know. Kenneth told me.” He glanced at Terence to gauge the latter's reaction.
Terence's focus was immediately redirected at the mention of Kenneth. Though the Lynch family aren't decent, neither is Kenneth.
“Kenneth is also worried about Nat, which is why he had them investigated.”
“The fox shouldn't be appointed to guard the henhouse,” Terence muttered. “They always have ulterior motives.” Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
Liam pursed his lips but did not defend Kenneth any longer. “All right, Terence. I know what you're thinking. You're just worried that no one care for Nat after you die, aren't you? Don't worry. She'll meet a good man. Besides, we will leave her all of our money when we die. Though men cannot be relied upon, money will always be there for her. Am I right?”
Terence raised his eyebrows at Liam's words. “You want to leave Nat your money?
“What about it?”
“We'll see about that!” Though he couldn't tell if his friend meant it, Terence could see Liam's affection toward Natasha, and there was no falsehood in his love.
“What's that supposed to mean? Nat has already given the Hamilton family three heirs, and the fortune I bequeath her will be passed down to my greatgrandchildren,” Liam explained good- naturedly. “No matter how you look at it, I come out on top!"
His perspective amused Terence. “Aren't you afraid that Nat will find another man and have them squander your fortune instead?”
“Nat isn't you,” Liam retorted. “She isn't so easily confused. I believe in her. Besides, I have already made my peace with such a possibility in the future. As long as my three heirs grow up healthy, it doesn't matter to me!”
“How dare you!” Terence exclaimed before sighing helplessly. “Enough out of you. You're already in poor health, yet you still do not care to accumulate virtues in your speech. If you think you can, try living long enough to watch those three grow up. I doubt you'd last very long with that filthy tongue of yours!”
Liam smiled. “I would like to live to a thousand years and have you have the same good fortune. You're stuck with me, I'm afraid!”
“You're on your own!” Terence chuckled. “I wouldn't want to spend eternity in your company.
“Why not? Are you afraid of how much uglier you'll get at that age?” Liam asked. “If you ever run into an ugly and cantankerous witch, you would have met your match.”
Terence roared with laughter. “Come on, what nonsense are you spouting in front of the children?”
A pleasant conversation between the two old men had been rare of late.
It appeared they have buried the hatchet at
last.
Anthony, Terence, and Denise heaved sighs of relief at the intermittent bouts of boisterous laughter.
Upon hearing the last part, they joined in the laughter as well.
The children were initially afraid that their great-grandfathers would begin bickering halfway through their conversation again and were glad they did not.
This must be the reconciliation of the century!
Overjoyed at harmony being restored at home, the three children developed monstrous appetites.
Denise chose that moment to speak up. “I'm so happy that Gramps and GreatGrandpa have finally stopped quarreling!”
There is no longer a need to take sides!
The two old men turned to look at Denise.
Liam stroked her hair. “You look happy, Denise. We won't quarrel anymore, all right?”
“Yay!”
Liam turned to Terence. “See? The children do not want to see us quarreling!”
“Who wants to quarrel with you?” Terence retorted hotly. “If you weren't fighting with me over the children, I won't even deign to argue with you!”
“I'm not fighting with you. I care for the children, and I didn't even blame you for keeping the news from me for so long. So what if I spend more time with the children than you?” demanded Liam.
Terence rolled his eyes. “Are you still blaming me for keeping it from you? Would you have seen me as your in-law if I hadn't told you about it?”
“Well, Anthony is a mirror image of Kenneth. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out,” Liam shot back.
The two old men glared at each other. Their mutual animosity returned as quickly as it had disappeared.
The children exchanged bewildered glances.
Didn't they just promise not to fight anymore?