You're Out, Daddy novel (Natasha and Kenneth)

Chapter 994 Treasure

Thalia was the first to step forward, giving them a simple hug. “Long time no see!”

“Long time no see!” the person said to her.

After exchanging greetings, their gaze shifted toward Anthony, who was standing not far away. Seeing that, Thalia also turned to look at Anthony.

“Come on!” said Thalia.

Upon hearing that, Anthony finally walked over.

“You should already know Kyle, so I won't bother introducing him. This is—”

“Holden.” Anthony spoke.

Upon hearing that, Holden slightly raised his eyebrows. “Do you know me?”

“Intuition!” Anthony said.

“Can a child's intuition be this accurate?” He squinted curiously, sizing Anthony up.

“My intuition comes from our everyday conversations and also from Thalia's description of you!” Anthony said.

Hearing that, Holden nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Kyle. “You're right. He really is a smart kid!”

Hearing Holden's praise, Thalia squinted her eyes. She turned her gaze to Kyle. “Don't tell me Holden doesn't know yet?”

“That's right. I haven't mentioned it yet!”

Thalia was taken aback. “Didn't you mention this before?”

“I was going to mention it, but such an exciting matter shouldn't be experienced by me alone. Everyone should get involved!” Kyle said.

Upon hearing that, Thalia couldn't help but laugh. “It's you.”

“I'm just passing on the legacy.”

Listening to their back and forth, Holden narrowed his eyes. “What on earth are you talking about?”

Thalia gave him a slight smile. “Who do you think this child is?”

“Isn't he the new kid we brought in for training?” Holden asked in return. “Kyle said he's met him before, and this kid is very smart. From what I see today, he's indeed not bad.”

Thalia looked at Kyle with a teasing gaze. “Well, indeed, if you embarrass yourself, you might as well let others embarrass you too.”

“What does that mean?” Holden squinted his eyes.

“What does that mean? I won't say it. I should let the person who should speak do the talking.” Thalia raised an eyebrow, then walked straight inside.

Narrowing his eyes, Holden didn't understand what they were saying, but he was certain that it all revolved around the child.

He looked at Anthony, seemingly pondering something.

Anthony was in a bad mood and didn't have the patience to beat around the bush. Looking at Holden, he reached out his hand directly. “Hello, I'm Anthony Watson.”

Holden found it somewhat amusing. Since when do I have to shake hands with such a small child? But out of respect, he still extended his hand. However, just as he was about to grasp it, he suddenly froze, squinting his eyes. “Wait, who did you say you are?”

Kyle, who was standing nearby, started to laugh when he heard that.

“Did I hear wrong?” Holden asked.

“You heard it right. It's exactly as you're thinking,” Anthony stated directly.

“You're saying you're Anthony?” He looked at Anthony incredulously, repeating the name.

Anthony looked at him and nodded firmly.

Holden turned his head to look at Kyle, who raised an eyebrow. “What? Is there a problem?”

After a long pause, Holden spoke, each word deliberate and measured. “What do you think?”

“Surprise!” Kyle laughed like a gentleman, his eyebrows slightly raised as if showing off something. “What do you think? Quite a surprise, isn't it?”

Taking everything into account, Holden then looked at Anthony. “Are you sure you're not messing with me right now?”

After some thought, Anthony looked at him and said, “The last time you were on a mission, it was me who helped you out of a crisis at that critical moment.”

Upon hearing those words, Holden was slightly taken aback.

At that point, it seemed like there was no need to say anything more to prove it.

Even if they conspired together, they would absolutely not bring that matter up.

Looking at him, Holden squinted slightly. “So, you really are Anthony!”

“I am,” Anthony said.

“So, the reason you've been avoiding showing yourself isn't because you're ugly or anything else, but because... you're a child?” Holden asked.

Anthony nodded. “You could say that.”

Holden laughed, looking at him, his gaze filled with disbelief.

He stepped forward, looked at Anthony, and laughed. “This is absolutely the most surprising thing for me this year, bar none.”

As he approached, Anthony felt a hint of discomfort, but it didn't bother him much. Holden crouched down to look at him. “I always thought I was fighting side by side with someone of my age, but I never expected...” He chuckled softly, his eyes full of pride.

He turned around, looked at Kyle, and asked, “You were always worried about having no successor. Are you still worried now?”

Kyle stepped forward and looked at Anthony. “Of course I'm worried. This kid was even making a fuss about quitting before!”

Speaking of which, Holden paused for a moment, looking at Anthony. “Quit? Why?”

Anthony also looked back at them. How should I put it? Although we didn't meet often, we never skimped on their daily chats. To each other, we're like friends and family who've known each other for a long time.

Moreover, through their gaze, Anthony could feel that they truly liked him. Previously, they might have been just friends, but now, due to his age, their eyes held an additional look of affection.

But the more they behaved that way, the stronger the inexplicable guilt Anthony felt, especially toward Holden.

He didn't dare to imagine what would happen if he revealed his true identity.

At that thought, Anthony averted his gaze. “It's nothing. It's just some personal matters.”

“What personal matter is it that prompted you to consider quitting? What's the matter? Are you dissatisfied with us?” Holden asked.

“No.”

“Since that's not the case, stop overthinking. It's not easy to obtain such a treasure like you. I won't allow you to back out so easily,” Holden said.

Treasure. After Anthony heard that description, his emotions became even more complex.

Seeing that they were all silent, Holden nudged Kyle with his elbow. “Why aren't you speaking? Am I not right?”

Kyle regained his senses, looked at Anthony, and then murmured, “You've said it all. What else can I say?”

“Did you upset him?” Holden asked.

“He's always the one who infuriates me. I don't have that kind of power!” Kyle said, then turned to Anthony. “So, it's been a while. Have you changed your mind?”

Taking a deep breath, Anthony looked up. “It wasn't my intention to leave in the first place. There were reasons for what happened then, and now... it depends on whether you guys will kick me out!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Holden and Kyle exchanged glances. Then, they asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“I...” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Thalia immediately came over. “Can we sit down and talk? Are you guys planning to stand all night?”

Speaking of which, all eyes turned to her.

“You must all be exhausted. Let's talk inside!” After saying that, Thalia gave Anthony a meaningful glance before heading straight inside.

Seeing the situation, Holden and Kyle looked at Anthony. “Let's go. We can talk more inside.”

And so, they began to walk toward the inside.

As the door to the room closed, Holden looked at her and asked, “What's with those injuries?”

Thalia glanced over. “Uh, this—”

“It's because of me,” Anthony said.

He once again focused the blame on himself.

Kyle and Holden exchanged glances. Since Anthony had spoken as such, they cut to the chase.

“What on earth is going on?” Kyle asked Anthony directly.