Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 173

Chapter 173 Darknetz Remains Undefeated

Natasha looked rather unruffled while a trace of panic flashed across Spencer's eyes. "What is she doing here?" he asked.

Natasha glanced at him placidly. "Relax, she doesn't know you're here. She's here for me."

Spencer heaved a sigh of relief at her words. "Phew."

"What happened between the two of you?" Natasha asked all of a sudden, shooting him a curious glance. The first time she had heard about Thalia was from Spencer. Spencer's cheeks became inexplicably flushed. He blinked his narrow eyes. "What could happen between us? She's a fierce and vicious woman. Nobody can hide from her." "Then why are you blushing?"

"What are you talking about?" Spencer demanded. "I have been drinking!" At that, he picked up the glass of red wine on the table and downed it.

A smile appeared across Natasha's lips as she watched him.

Being reticent, are we? Fine.

Spencer was even more flustered after being teased by Natasha. "By the way," he said suddenly upon recalling something, "what did she come to you for? You haven't offended Darknetz, have you?"

"I had dealt with Darknetz several times when I was investigating my dad some time ago," Natasha replied unhurriedly as she took her time to swallow her food. "They wanted me to join them." "Is that why they sent Thalia?" he asked.

Natasha nodded.

"And you..."

"She doesn't know who I am yet," Natasha concluded calmly.

Spencer narrowed his eyes. "She hasn't seen through you, but you have seen through her?"

"When you first mentioned her to me back then, I had her investigated out of curiosity and remembered her because she's beautiful."

The man was rendered speechless by her words.

Am I supposed to respond to that?

His symmetrical features suddenly grimaced at the thought. Catching sight of the bottle of red wine before him, he poured another glass and downed it.

That is why it is terrible to have a hacker close to you. Before you replace anything on them after their sudden appearance in your life, they've already found everything there is to know about you. Even more importantly, a careless word to her would be enough for her to discover everything.

At that harrowing prospect, Spencer was inwardly grateful that he and Natasha were friends instead of enemies.

How terrifying!

Spencer cleared his throat. "Are you going to tell her?"

Natasha raised her eyebrows. "I don't plan on joining them. Why should I tell her?"

"So, you aren't even planning on showing your face?" he asked, incredulous.

"It's for the best."

His lips twisted into a bitter smile. For some reason, he felt awful for Thalia.

At least they can't investigate or get to her. It sucks for them to have to return empty-handed.

By that point, Natasha seemed to have sensed something as she glanced at her friend. "How about you act as my proxy and tell her for me?"

"This conversation never happened!" cried Spencer.

Natasha smiled at his look of fear. "The miracle doctor who has dominated the underworld is afraid of a little girl. I'm even more curious to know what happened between you two." Spencer gave her a faint smile. "Curiosity killed the cat, you know. You shouldn't ask too many questions, young lady."

"Maybe I should ask Thalia then?"

Spencer's eyes widened. "You can't!"

Natasha grinned at his exaggerated reaction and said nothing.

Spencer knew that she would not do such a thing. She only threatened to in jest.

Having known each other for many years, it was a point of Natasha's character that he was already familiar with. He met her gaze with a firm resolve. "Are you close with her?"

"Somewhat. She lives downstairs of us."

Spencer's mouth hung open in surprise.

Though he did not express it, Natasha's revelation drove him to anxiety on Thalia's behalf.

Does she even know who she's living with? It's no exaggeration to call this woman the devil!

Spencer lowered his voice, his lips taut with worry. "Don't mention me to her, or she'll go crazy."

There was no trace of levity on Spencer's expression when he uttered those words.

Though Natasha could not tell if his words were true, she did not pursue them any further. Instead, she merely nodded.

Everybody has their own secrets to hide.

Respecting her friend's reluctance, Natasha ceased her interrogation.

"Also, if she's living below you..." Spencer blurted before hurriedly hushing himself. "Forget it. It's nothing!"

Natasha gazed at him as another smile rose involuntarily to her lips. "Don't you worry. I'll keep an eye on her."

A hint of embarrassment flashed through his narrow eyes. "That's not what I meant."

The more he tried to explain, the more ruffled he became. After a pause to reorient himself, Spencer gave up. "Forget it, do whatever you want. In short, I want no part in this." Natasha merely smiled at him without speaking.

"Tell me about Darknetz. Do you really have no plans to join?" Spencer asked in an attempt to change the subject. "It's the opportunity of a lifetime."

Natasha's gaze was firm. "I promised Grandpa to refrain from worrying him at least before his hundredth birthday."

"Alas, a rare gem of the hacker world," Spencer lamented.

Natasha did not respond as hacking was only one of her hobbies. She had other matters of interest to pursue.

In comparison, she cared more about the feelings of those around her than her hacking career.

"Darknetz has been rising in recent years," Spencer continued. "After a period of rapid development, it is now one of the key players in the world. Furthermore, their progress over the past two years had been especially so. I heard they have recruited the most talented hackers worldwide who have demolished any opposing forces standing in their way."

Natasha listened without responding.

"I don't think it's as simple as wanting a seat at the table," Spencer carried out thoughtfully. "I get the feeling they would settle for nothing besides the biggest seat."

Though listening at rapt attention, Natasha still did not speak.

"If they do want to be the boss, then your influence is bound to be their biggest obstacle. It's best if you remain neutral. If you joined another organization, you would put a target on your back by being a thorn ir their side." As he spoke, Spencer's expression became increasingly somber. "Instead of fighting for you," he warned, leaning in, "they might just eliminate you. You need to be careful."

Natasha raised her eyebrows, met his gaze without any fear in her own, and flashed a nonchalant smile.

"Everything you said is based on the premise of them being able to replace me in the first place," she said. Spencer could not believe his ears.

"I would be giving them something to worry about when they come for me!"

He was further struck dumb by her audacity.

"Be that as it may, you mustn't drop your guard," Spencer said nervously. "These hackers Darknetz has recruited over the past two years are formidable opponents, and there hasn't been a mission they could not complete since they were engaged. You should confront them if the opportunity arises and test the validity of their reputation. It's good to know where we stand."