You're Out Daddy

Chapter 323

Terence woke up early to prepare breakfast. To his surprise, he spotted Natasha coming out of

Anthony's room.

Confused, he checked the time. Natasha doesn't usually get up so early.

Before he could say a thing, Natasha approached him and greeted, “Morning, Grandpa.”

“I'm usually up at this time, but why are you already awake?” Terence suddenly moved closer to his

granddaughter and scrutinized her face. He asked, “Why are your eyes so red? You didn't sleep last

night?”

“I didn't,” said Natasha with a nod.

“Why not? What were you doing?”

“I was chatting with Anthony!”

Terence was incredulous. “The whole night?”

“Well, somehow it turned out that way.”

After some thought, Terence asked, “What happened? Did Anthony do something wrong?”

Natasha smiled and clarified, “No. We were just chatting about everything and nothing.”

That earned her a displeased glance from Terence, who chided, “Staying up late may be commonplace

for you, but Anthony's still a growing boy. Staying up late can't be good for his development.”

“All right, I won't do it next time,” came Natasha's reply.

“Hungry?”

“Yeah.” Natasha nodded.

“I'll whip something up for breakfast. You should catch up on your sleep after you eat.”

“Okay.”

“Just give me a couple of minutes. I'll be quick.” As he spoke, Terence hastily put on an apron before

preparing breakfast.

Natasha perched on a stool near the island and watched her grandfather working skillfully in the

kitchen. As she stared at his frail figure and salt-and-pepper hair, she was suddenly struck by the

realization that her grandfather had aged a great deal.

Her eyes pricked with tears, unbidden.

A plate of simple yet nutritious breakfast suddenly appeared before her.

Natasha hurriedly wiped the sorrowful expression off her face as Terence coaxed, “Food's ready! Now

hurry up and eat before you catch up on your sleep.”

Natasha slowly lowered her eyes to the fried eggs on her plate and nibbled at her breakfast.

Her behavior initially went unnoticed by Terence, who was busy preparing more breakfast portions.

When he next turned around to look at her, his brows furrowed in concern, and he asked, “What's

wrong? Does it taste bad?”

“No.” Natasha shook her head firmly before meeting her grandfather's gaze. Smiling, she explained, “I

wanted to commit the taste of your cooking to memory.”

“You don't have to do that. I can cook for you whenever you want,” Terence huffed.

Natasha nodded her head solemnly in response.

Her grandfather glanced at her before returning his attention to his cooking. He did not think too much

of her solemn mood.

She finished off her plate just as Terence was almost done with his cooking.

“I'm heading back to my room to rest, Grandpa,” Natasha announced.

“Shoo. Get some rest.”

Natasha glanced at her grandfather before heading to her room.

The moment she closed her room door, Terence stiffened and paused in the middle of cooking. He

turned and stared thoughtfully at Natasha's room door.

Meanwhile, Anthony was so excited after his conversation with Natasha that he could not fall asleep.

Instead, after some thought, he switched on his computer.

Kyle's message immediately popped up once Anthony was online.

Kyle: Where the heck did you go? I didn't think you remembered how to come online anymore.

Anthony did not expect him to be so upset. Still, high on excitement after his conversation with

Natasha, Anthony was unbothered by Kyle's message and replied: Polished language, please!

Kyle: To heck with polished! You have no idea how worried I was! I almost flew over!

Anthony: I would also appreciate it if you would mind your language.

Kyle did not reply, prompting Anthony to type: Didn't you ask Thalia to look for me? Didn't she tell you

about it?

Kyle: She said your mom had a heart-to-heart talk with you.

Anthony: Yeah, so you do know!

Although Kyle was used to Anthony's incessant mention of his mother, he still could not help but cringe.

Nevertheless, a thought niggled at Kyle's mind. Of all days, why did Anthony have to do his heart-to-

heart yesterday? Doesn't he realize how rare yesterday's competition was?

Kyle fired off a text: Do you understand what yesterday's competition means?

Anthony: It showed that I'm still pretty amazing even though I'm a bit weaker than Shadow Seeker?

Kyle: Do you even have a shred of humility?

Anthony: Well, what do you think it means, then?

Kyle took a deep breath before replying: Yesterday, you almost won by a hair. A HAIR. If you won,

Darknetz's reputation would be through the roof!

Anthony: Ah, that's a shame then!

Kyle: I can't sense a hint of regret in your tone.

Anthony: Patience, patience. Darknetz will eventually triumph.

Kyle: I love it when you're bluffing.

Anthony: Hey, trust me!

Kyle: I still think yesterday was a wasted opportunity. Even though you lost, you could've learned a trick

or two from Shadow Seeker or become her student!

Confused, Anthony replied: Become her student? Aren't you worried Shadow Seeker will dismantle

your group?

Kyle: Our group!

Anthony hastily corrected himself: Yes, that's what I meant. Aren't you worried Shadow Seeker will

destroy OUR group?

Kyle's faith in Shadow Seeker never wavered. He replied: She would never!

Anthony: How could you be so sure?

Kyle: She hasn't joined any other organizations over the years or made frequent appearances. I believe

she has a set of strict principles. Plus, she doesn't have any beef with Darknetz. I've even helped her to

look for information. I don't believe she would betray us.

Anthony: You sound as though you know Shadow Seeker personally or something.

Kyle: Didn't you know? My talent is in knowing the human heart through a computer screen.

Anthony: Why don't you use me as a subject?

Kyle: You seem pretty excited today.

Amused, Anthony replied: Oh? You might be onto something. How ever could you tell?

Kyle: You're full of nonsense today!

Anthony's brain remained in a state of suspended excitement as he easily brushed off Kyle's words.

Instead, he wrote: Honestly, though, everyone's trying to recruit Shadow Seeker, even if it's common

knowledge that she won't join any organization. Is that why someone is after her life? Would you do the

same?

Kyle: Of course!

Anthony's eyes narrowed dangerously just as Kyle's second text came in: Not!

He was unamused by Kyle's joke.

Then, Kyle replied: Those people who are after her life clearly haven't done their research.

Anthony: How so?

Kyle explained: Since Shadow Seeker isn't going to join anyone's organization, no one really stands to

lose anything. The people threatening her life are clearly worried that she'll join their opponents'

organizations. If they were paying to find news on Shadow Seeker, did you think she wouldn't find out?

After some thought, Anthony tapped out: Go on.

Kyle: Shadow Seeker definitely knows what they're doing. Why would she join those organizations that

are after her life? And if she were forced to choose an organization in the end, she would prioritize the

parties that didn't put a target on her life, yes? In that case, Darknetz might be one of the organizations

on her list. I'll do everything I can to ensure Darknetz stands out from its competition.

Anthony: Aren't you thinking too much?

Kyle: You don't get it. It's the concept of opportunity cost!

Anthony: Haha. Well, it's a good plan!

Kyle: What? Don't tell me you're one of those people who want to go after Shadow Seeker's life. It's

just a competition.

Offended, Anthony fired back: No! I'm the exact opposite!

Kyle: So where do you stand?

Anthony: I want to protect her for the rest of my life. If anyone dares to endanger her life, I'll destroy him

and give him a fate worse than h*ll!

Kyle's lips twitched with amusement.

What's wrong with Anthony? Did he fall head over heels for Shadow Seeker just from one competition?