“I came home to pack and get my travel documents. Something came up last minute, so I need to go on a trip,” replied Zachary as he stroked Robbie’s tiny head. After that, he instructed, “Go grab a drink. I need to discuss something with your great-grandpa.”
“Okay,” said Robbie. Then he slid off his chair and added, “Great-grandpa, let’s continue playing later, alright?”
“Sure,” replied Henry, who was gazing adoringly at Robbie.
The little boy then left with Fifi in his arms.
Ben closed the door to the study room and waited outside.
“Where are you headed to all of a sudden?” asked Henry.
“I need to go to Phoenix City. Something happened at base,” replied Zachary nonchalantly. “Mr. Blackwood came to me earlier, and I gave him some hints. But he will still have to deal with the rest on his own.”
“Okay, let’s monitor the situation from afar for now,” said Henry. Instead of pressing on, he asked, “Did Cynthia ask to see you?”
“No, she is a rational woman and probably won’t come to me for something like this,” said Zachary.
Those were his heartfelt words.
“You should appreciate her. Women like her are hard to come by,” advised Henry while rolling his eyes at Zachary. He then added, “Since everything is settled here, I should head back to M Nation too.”
Zachary finally got the old man to say those words. Over the past two days, Zachary had deliberately made things seem ambiguous with Cynthia in the hot spring resort. He even shared the same room with her for two nights, and it was likely that Cain and Kyle had shared that information with Henry.
Moreover, I kept praising Cynthia when I came back and seemed genuinely fond of her, so Grandpa probably bought it and decided to head back to M Nation.
“It’s good that you’re heading back. H City’s weather is more humid, and you’ve always been unaccustomed to it. I’ll take the kids to M Nation to visit you once I have settled everything here,” said Zachar, acting like he was a little hesitant to part.
“Yeah. I’ll head back once you return,” informed Henry while nodding. “Since you won’t be home the next few days, I’m worried that no one will be around for the kids.”
“It’s fine, actually,” said Zachary, trying his best to sound natural. “After all, Mrs. Rawlston and Raina are here to help, and we have tons of maid.”
“So what?” scolded Henry while glaring at him. “They need at least someone who is related to them by blood. Only when there’s family around will they feel safe.”
“I will be back in a couple of days,” insisted Zachary nervously. He was truly worried that Henry would change his mind and decide to stay. “The kids are old enough now, so they’ll be fine even if they’re on their own for a few days.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you want me to leave?” said Henry as he glared over unhappily.
“That is not true—”
“Then it’s settled,” interrupted Henry immediately. “I will return to M Nation once you’re done with your work. Honestly, do you think I enjoy being here? The air up here is thin, and it’s so humid that my old bones keep aching.”
Zachary was secretly exasperated. Still, he had no choice but to accept that arrangement. He took comfort in the fact that Henry planned on leaving after he returned from his trip, though. Let’s hope he won’t go back on his words…
Charlotte is not in the country anyway, and it’s only for a few days, so things should be fine.
After coming to that conclusion, Zachary nodded and said, “Alright, but don’t wear yourself out, okay? Let Cain drop off the kids so you can rest well.”
“That is not possible! I’m already here, so naturally, I will drop them off in person,” insisted Henry stubbornly. “It’s settled. You should go now.”
Zachary turned around and left. After that, he went to Robbie’s room and knocked on the door, calling out, “Robbie, it’s me.”
“Hang on, Daddy.”
Robbie was playing with the black gold ring while sitting in front of his desk. He knew that his father would be leaving for a business trip and that some bodyguards at home would be going with him. Great-grandpa might return to M Nation too, and the Triplets Reconnaissance Team will be free to carry out Project Mommy.
Robbie quickly kept the ring away and rushed over to open the door. “Daddy!”
“Can I come in?” asked Zachary with a smile.
“Of course,” replied Robbie as he moved aside and gestured for Zachary to enter.
When Zachary walked in, he saw the familiar decorations and the family photo hanging on the wall. The sight stung his heart a little…
