With that, he made his way into the washroom and slammed the door shut.
John gave his forehead a scratch. He knew Anthony was displeased, yet he was not bothered at all. Soon, he turned and left the bedroom.
After twenty minutes, Anthony came out of the washroom in his sleep robe. The man tossed the towel aside after rubbing his hair until it was half dry before walking out of the bedroom.
“Wait!” I halted him. “I’m going with you.”
I tucked the blanket around the kids before leaving the bedroom after him.
In the study, John was sitting on the couch. He had drunk his coffee down to the dregs.
When we entered the study, he ordered the maid, “Bring me another cup of coffee. I want it with less sugar and milk. Oh, it’s so sweet that it’s almost sickening.”
The man was making an innuendo, his words oozing with sarcasm.
I shot a look at the maid who was standing outside and ordered, “There is no need to bother. You can leave now.”
Then, I closed the door behind me. “It’s not good to drink too much coffee,” I advised. “Why don’t you have some tea?”
Yet, John paid no heed to my advice. “Nah, I’m used to drinking coffee.”
Just then, Anthony chimed in, “Study shows that long-term heavy coffee consumption can cause side effects such as arrhythmia, gastrointestinal bleeding, and constant anxiety.”
“You must be exaggerating. Do you really think I’m gullible like Audrey?” John grew impatient.
Disregarding his reluctance, I snatched the coffee cup from him and placed it on the coffee table. “Well, it’s better to be safe than sorry. You’re not young anymore, and you should take good care of your body for both Emma and Drew’s sake. Your family needs you.”
John was rendered speechless. With a pitiful expression, he smacked his lips but said nothing.
That was when Anthony suddenly added, “However, when a person abruptly stops consuming caffeine, it can also cause caffeine withdrawal symptoms such as arrhythmia, abnormal gastric secretion, and constant anxiety.”
“Now what?” I pulled a long face. Who’s side is he taking?
Anthony remained composed as he took a seat opposite me. “Well, that means he can still drink coffee while gradually reduce his caffeine intake.”
Both John and I rolled our eyes at him. His words didn’t accomplish anything.
“That’s it! Now let’s cut to the chase.” John had grown impatient after waiting for us for a long time. “Did they stop you when you tender your resignation today?” he asked Anthony.
“Well, I eventually managed to resign though it was not without a hurdle.”
Then, Anthony briefly told John about our day at Featherstone Corporation.
John nodded thoughtfully. “So, Nicolas and Nathaniel didn’t show up?”
That was the same thing that was bothering me as well. “Well, since we have spread the news, I suppose it’s just a matter of time before they show up.”
As if something had hit me, I then asked, “Did your men receive any news?”
Hearing my question, John’s expression grew serious. He cast a meaningful glance at Anthony, making it clear that he regarded the latter untrustworthy.
Before I could say anything, Anthony beat me to it, “Someone used Letty’s and my name to contact the elders in M Country. Is this what you wanted to tell us?” The man was composed as he leaned against the couch.
I cast my gaze at Anthony and then at John.
Both big shots in the business industry held their gaze, trying to stare each other down.
In the end, it seemed like John got the upper hand in the staring contest. “You actually knew about this? That means this is really your deed?” he questioned harshly.
The two were talking in riddles, yet I didn’t fail to notice the coldness in John’s voice. I quickly asked, “What were you guys talking about contacting the elders in M Country? Can anyone explain to me what was going on?”
John suppressed his anger as he explained, “This man whom you insisted on getting back with has gone behind my informants in K City and sent a letter to M Country. He told the elders that you and the kids wished to reside in the country and asked them to come back to discuss it. Hmph! He was using you and the kids to force the elders to return to the country.” Then, he said through gritted teeth, “How despicable!”
From John’s revelation, I understood that someone was trying to trick the elders into returning to the country. That person intended to hold the elders captive to threaten us.
That must be a devious and guileful person who came up with this plan.
After having recovered my memories, I had only managed to take care of the situation in the country. On the other hand, the one who plotted all these was able to come up with a countermeasure in such a short time and reached the elders in M Country.
If it wasn’t for John’s wariness, we might be stuck in a difficult position again.
Yet, this time, I trusted Anthony.
In the face of John’s suspicion, I held Anthony’s hand and made my stance clear, “John, Anthony is not the one behind this. I believe there must be a misunderstanding.”
Gazing at me with disappointment in his eyes, John let out a deep sigh. “Didn’t you hear him admitting it earlier? Oh, Letty, it’s time for you to wake up and smell the coffee. Life is not only about love. You’ve died once. Don’t make the same mistake twice.”
I knew it was John’s earnest advice, yet I insisted on following my heart and believed in Anthony.
I tightened my grip on Anthony’s hand. With a wry smile, I uttered, “I’ve died once, and that’s why I know how precious a man is when he was willing to humble himself to become a live-in son-in-law.”
After a short pause, I continued saying, “John, you know how Anthony became what he is today. It is Nicolas and his wife’s fault. Over the past twenty years, Anthony has trained himself into living like a tool for revenge, cold and unfeeling. He ignored me during the past six years because of his parent’s words.”
Soon, my eyes became watery. I turned to look at Anthony through my teary eyes. “Anthony has always been a hard-headed man who wouldn’t compromise for anyone. Or else, he would’ve married another woman a long time ago.”
My words brought mirth to Anthony’s eyes. Feeling pleased, he interlaced his fingers with mine.
John was sick of seeing our physical intimacy. He rose to his feet, looking down at us while voicing his dissatisfaction, “I don’t have the time watching you guys acting lovey-dovey. Anyway, I have asked my subordinate to investigate the matter. If I receive bad news, Anthony Featherstone, don’t blame me for not giving you a chance.”
Hearing that, Anthony turned to face John. “Oh, my dear brother-in-law, why are you so angry? I didn’t tell you I was the one sending the letter, did I?”
John’s face darkened, his expression demanding an explanation from Anthony.
Meanwhile, Anthony watched as his hand toyed mine, caressing my finger joints. In a casual tone, he spoke up, “Most of the time, a clever hunter would appear in the form of prey. My subordinate has indeed visited M Country. However, the purpose of me asking the elders back is to use them as baits instead of hostages.”
With that, he planted a gentle kiss on the back of my hand, which tickled.
My eyes brightened as Anthony briefly explained his plan to make the mastermind suffer from his own scheme. If his plan succeeded, we could snare the mastermind and eventually find out about his identity.
His plan had dispelled John’s doubt. Yet, the latter was still pulling a long face, staring at us as if we were the thorns in his flesh.
Knock! Knock! Just then, the maid knocked on the door.
John said coldly, “Come in.”
The door was being opened, and in came the very maid who was outside the study earlier. The aroma of coffee permeated the room as she brought in a cup of steaming hot coffee.
She nodded politely at both Anthony and me before asking John, “Mr. Stanhope, here’s your coffee as per your order. Are you going to have it here or in your bedroom?”
“Take it away.” John waved his hand dismissively as he stood up. While making his way toward the door, he sulked, “Hmph! I’ve had enough!”
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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