Soon, John caught up as well.
After turning a corner, we could see what was happening in the study.
Gregory was sitting in front of the desk, his attention focused on the laptop. Anthony had Audrey in his lap, and they were both staring at Gregory’s laptop screen. None of them were moving, but it was strangely, a heartwarming scene.
Kids couldn’t sit still for long. Shortly after, Audrey spotted me standing by the door alongside Joseph. “Mommy!”
She hopped out of Anthony’s lap and came to me. Flinging an arm around my leg, she complained, “Mommy, Greg won’t talk to me!”
I ruffled her hair to comfort her. “Good girl. Your brother loves you, so you should be good and not disturb him when he’s busy, get it?”
Audrey pouted unhappily, but she still nodded. “Alright. Is he gonna take a long time?”
I didn’t reply to her and held her hand as we walked into the study. Anthony’s brows furrowed together before he quickly returned to his aloof self.
He seems mad at me for taking Audrey’s attention away, but he’s too proud to admit it.
Suddenly, Gregory rose to his feet and shut down the laptop. He returned the laptop to Anthony and uttered, “Thank you, Daddy. I’m done.”
“Mm.” Anthony took the laptop from him and placed it on the desk.
Glancing at my watch, I realized there was five minutes left before the half an hour was up. “Gregory, it isn’t time yet. Why did you stop playing?”
Gregory shook his head. “I’ve finished my coding. I want to play with Audrey.”
He took Audrey’s hand and offered, “Do you want to play with me?”
Audrey hopped excitedly. “Yeah!”
They exchanged gazes and laughed merrily before heading to Gregory’s room. Soon, we could hear their giggling from afar.
Anthony’s voice rang out behind me. “Is something up?”
“Yes.” I met his gaze before walking in slowly and sat down in a chair against the wall. “Since you’re recuperating at home, we need to talk.”
Anthony signaled for Joseph to leave.
“Joseph isn’t an outsider. He can stay.”
Hearing my words, Anthony turned and sat down in his chair. “You can begin now.”
“Mm.” He was calm, so I didn’t know where to begin. Lowering my head, I gathered my thoughts before looking up to speak. “You’ve gotten used to your status now, right?”
“What status?” asked Anthony.
“My husband, the kids’ father, and the Stanhope family’s live-in son-in-law,” I raised my voice when I reached the last one.
Clearly, Anthony was stung by the term “live-in son-in-law.” He looked dazed for a moment before coming back to his senses. “Yes. So?”
He wasn’t refuting my words, so I could continue with my lie.
“It’s nothing serious,” I replied. “The kids should grow up together, and my brother can’t handle his business alone. I was thinking, why don’t you resign from your current position in Featherstone Corporation? We can return to M Country and start anew there.”
Instead of replying to my question, Anthony narrowed his gaze and scrutinized me doubtfully.
I knew what he was thinking, but he had lost his memory now, so I bit the bullet and charged forward. “I’ve suffered from two miscarriages and taken countless hormone injections before giving birth to the twins for you. Are you suspecting my motive? Or have you never thought of living with us?”
I applaud myself silently for the logical and touching words I had just uttered.
It was a ruse to trick Anthony, but I was telling the truth.
My confidence grew at once. Anthony’s resolve was swaying, so I hurriedly pressed on, “No matter how unreasonable I am, you’d always understand and accept me. Anthony, you said that yourself. Even if you don’t trust me, don’t you trust Joseph? He had been working for you over ten years!”
Joseph, who had remained silent the entire exchange, blanched in shock.
He was already terrified seeing me manipulating Anthony. Now, I was dragging him into this mess. His heart must be pounding furiously against his chest.
Without giving him time to ponder, Anthony drawled dangerously, “Tell me.”
Joseph’s head hung low as he didn’t know what to say.
Usually, he was as stern and cautious as Anthony. Hence, I was amused to see him panicking right now.
Chuckling silently, I reminded him. “Mr. Campbell, why are you nervous? Your boss is asking you if I am right. Back then, will Anthony risk his life for me? Be honest.”
Joseph heaved a sigh of relief and replied loudly, “Yes, Mr. Featherstone. Mrs. Featherstone has always been the most important person to you!”
I couldn’t believe how good he was at lying to his employer.
Anthony’s gaze narrowed as he considered the credibility of Joseph’s answer.
This must be the first time Joseph had lied to Anthony. As a heavy silence ensued, he kept his gaze on the ground lest Anthony saw through his lie.
John had been waiting in the hallway all along. As we had stopped talking, he strolled in and uttered, “It has been ages since that accident happened. You had your reservations about us, but did your family show themselves? You might’ve lost your memory, but did you forget what it was like to be a disowned son?”
Nothing on earth was worse than being compared.
Anthony had been under the Halls’ control for the past six years, but from what I know, his house was miles away from the Hall residence. In private, they led separate lives. Anthony didn’t really have friends, so he could stay at home for a few days without having to go out.
However, as Anthony had lost his memory, he became easily provoked and agitated. John’s words only served to amplify the Hall family’s indifference.
After meeting John’s gaze for several seconds, Anthony caved in calmly. “You’ve made up your mind. Can I even say no?”
With that, he rose to his feet and went after the kids.
John chuckled at his retreating figure. “I’ve underestimated him. He acts like a live-in son-in-law, but he’s still hot-tempered and annoying as usual.”
“It must’ve been hard on him.” I hurriedly changed the topic. “Tomorrow, Anthony and I will be going to Featherstone Corporation. Get someone to inform the Halls, especially Nathaniel.”
“Got it.” John nodded. Before he left, he went to Gregory’s room and watched the kids having fun with a wide grin on his face.
I chuckled and shook my head in exasperation. In the end, they were all kind despite their sharp tongues.
Joseph was here on business, so he kept Anthony in the study for the entire night. Nothing much happened after that.
The next day, after sending the kids to school, Anthony dressed up smartly.
When I came downstairs, he stood up from the sofa and came to me. With his chin stuck in the air and stern expression, he seemed like a mannequin on display.
After coming to a stop, he raised an arm and gestured for me to hold it. There was an air of superiority about him, and I was like an accessory hanging on his arm.
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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