After a pause, he cocked his head to the side and looked at me solemnly. “Regardless of whether we’ll get to work together or not, we won’t forget the benefits you have offered to us. Do wait for good news from us, Stanhope.”
With that said, he stood up and gave us a curt nod as a farewell before turning to leave. “We’ll take our leave now.”
Lucas was confounded, and it took him several seconds to snap back to his senses. “What the f*ck are you doing?”
Then, he spat on the ground before begrudgingly following Quince out.
The sounds of the sports cars’ engines revved up outside, and soon, they disappeared into the dark. Finally, the night was peaceful again.
“D*mn those bast*rds!” John cursed as he sat back down on the couch. As he tidied his clothes, he grumbled under his breath, “That guy isn’t gay, is he? He kept touching me. F*ck!”
It had been so many years, but still, he did not have a brain-to-mouth filter; he still swore relentlessly in front of the children.
I shook my head, exasperated, and pretended as though I had heard nothing. Instead, I quickly asked Summer, “Did they come after you before this? Why didn’t you say anything to us?”
“It’s fine, Mom.” Summer seemed optimistic. “I’ll have to deal with the club eventually, so I thought why not start now? However, I never thought they would come to the house. I’m sorry to have troubled you both.” She held my hand.
The way Summer behaved was so sensible and courteous. That left me at a loss as to how I should close the gap between us. It felt like everything I said would be empty promises and nothing useful. I could only sigh inwardly.
“You’re right to apologize,” said Anthony suddenly.
Summer spun around. Like me, she never thought that Anthony would have actually blamed her for the situation. After a moment of contemplation, she lowered her head and softly said, “Sorry, Father, I’ll do my best. I won’t make the same mistake next time.”
“Did you think that I’m berating you for not being able to deal with those two men?” Anthony’s expression was grave, and his tone was icy. It was the same demeanor he had when he used to lecture Gregory.
Confusion was written on Summer’s face. She frowned, but she did not reply to him.
Anthony stared at her for a while, and the temperature in the room dropped. Finally, he enunciated, “Mr. Cress.”
Jared, who had been standing in the corner, stepped forward when he heard Anthony. “Yes?”
“Someone in M Country has contacted me and told me that they would like to invite you to be a lecturer in their university. You’ll be treated well there, and I’ve agreed to it on your behalf. Your flight is tomorrow afternoon, so go ahead and make the necessary preparations for it,” Anthony told him.
Jared frowned and fell silent.
At the same time, Summer tightened her grip on my hand.
Even I was taken aback by how Anthony was suddenly sending Jared away.
“Your silence is your agreement,” Anthony declared. With that said, he uncrossed his legs, stood up, and went upstairs. “Say your farewells.”
Soon, he disappeared behind the corner of the stairwell.
Only after he was gone, then did Summer let a reluctant look creep on her face. Quietly she asked, “Mommy, what did Mr. Cress do wrong to make Daddy mad?”
“Who wouldn’t be mad?” John scoffed at the side.
When I raised my head to look at Jared, I realized that he did not have any other expressions than the usual one he wore. He still looked like the honest, mellow man he usually was.
However, Jared was not someone to be judged by his cover.
Maybe Anthony noticed something.
“Calm down.” I patted the back of Summer’s hand to console her. “Let me ask him.”
“All right,” Summer answered gratefully. “Thanks, Mommy.”
“Silly girl.” I ruffled her hair like I used to do with Audrey. Right then, it seemed like we were intimate without the usual courtesy and distance.
After comforting Summer, I got up and went upstairs.
Before entering my room, something prompted me to turn at my shoulder. I saw a child’s shirt disappearing behind a tall vase in the corner.
It was only a tiny part, but I immediately knew who it was.
Pretending not to see anything, I pushed the doorknob down and entered the room.
The living room was empty, and I heard the sound of flowing water coming from the bathroom. I strode over and leaned on the wall nonchalantly. Raising my voice to make sure he could hear it, I said, “Shaun is too curious. I think he was observing our discussion with Quince and the others.”
Perhaps it was Audrey who told him to go outside, but I wasn’t sure about that.
“Go on,” Anthony’s deep voice prompted.
I pursed my lips and decided to ask what was niggling on my mind. “Why did you send Jared away?”
After so many years, people had changed. I still remembered that I was the one who couldn’t accept Jared, but Anthony insisted that his friend would turn over a new leaf.
Why did he change his mind all of a sudden?
Right after I asked him that, the door was pushed open with a click. Anthony walked out with a towel wrapped around his waist. He wiped his hair dry as he strode toward the living room. “There’s no more reason for him to stay.”
He then sat on the couch.
“But Summer is used to his presence,” I said, going over to him. Placing my palms on the back of the sofa, I told him about Summer’s thoughts.
At my words, Anthony froze briefly before turning to face me. He flashed an indulgent smile. “Even so, can’t you see what the problem is, Honey?”
I frowned in confusion. “What is the problem?”
In fact, Jared had spent more time with Summer than us. It had been proven that he meant well. There was no harm in letting him stay since Summer liked him.
“Come here.” Anthony patted the empty space beside him and gestured for me to go over to him.
I scurried over as told and gazed at him earnestly. “Can you say it now?”
Anthony gave me a smile as he placed his palms on my shoulders, forcing me to turn around. His hands roamed all over my tensed muscles.
As an aching sensation flared up on my back, I heaved a sigh of relief subconsciously. After spending the whole day at the hospital, I didn’t get enough rest. I had forgotten about that, but it didn’t slip Anthony’s mind.
“It’s easy,” Anthony answered as he massaged my shoulders in a skilled manner. Slowly, he revealed, “Never mind if Summer is used to Jared’s company. Didn’t you hear how they lied to us about getting in touch with someone like Quince?”
“Yes.” I nodded reluctantly, for Anthony was right. “I did miss that.”
People who read the international news would know how dangerous Quince was. Summer was inexperienced, and this wasn’t Jared’s forte, so they might’ve exposed their weaknesses to Quince without knowing it. If Quince and his men used that to blackmail them, they’d die a horrible death.
Anthony wanted to make an example out of Jared to teach Summer a lesson. He meant well, but his approach was too hard.
Summer has accepted Jared as her teacher since young. If we don’t give him a chance and send him away, ignoring her wishes, I’m afraid Summer will just stay away from us.
“Why don’t we give him a stern warning?” I suggested. “Let’s not be this harsh. Besides, I don’t think Jared will leave just like that.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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