Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 175

Chapter 175 Wring Them Dry

Natasha returned relatively early. Terence and the triplets were not yet home when she arrived.

They only showed up after she had washed up and was getting ready for bed.

Denise threw herself into her arms as soon as they entered the door. "Did you miss me today, Nat?"

Natasha glanced down at Denise's forehead. Though there were no scars or signs of injury, it still stung Natasha to recall the incident.

Natasha nodded. "Eh, just a little."

"Which is it? Did you miss me or not?"

"I did!"

Denise smiled with satisfaction. "Great-grandpa took us to Infinitium for lunch today, Nat. The food there isn't bad. I'll take you there another time, okay?" Natasha nodded. "Okay."

Terence was watching them. "All right, Denise. You've been out all day today. Look at how dusty you are! Be a good girl and go wash up."

"Yes, Great-grandpa," Denise replied before turning back to Natasha. "I'm going to wash up, Nat. See you later!"

"All right!"

Natasha watched the triplets stand in line for the washroom. She was then about to retire into her bedroom when Terence called, "Wait a moment, Nat." Natasha turned back to replace her grandfather with a peculiar expression. He looked as if he wanted to say something but decided against it. "What's wrong, Grandpa?" Natasha asked.

Terence gazed at her thoughtfully for some time before he spoke. "How are you and Zachary doing recently?" he asked.

Natasha knew what Terence was getting at. "Nothing new," she answered after a pause.

"I've been giving it some serious thought," Terence began with some hesitation. "Sometimes, it's better to take things slow and—”

The sudden ringing of Natasha's phone interrupted him.

Coincidentally, it was Zachary who was calling.

Terence cast a startled look at her. "What's wrong? Who's calling?"

"Zachary," Natasha answered simply.

Terence looked rather uneasy.

"I'll be in my room," Natasha said.

Terence cast about for something else to say, but Natasha had already entered her room.

After shutting the door behind her, she answered the call after a moment's thought.

"Hello."

"It's me, Nat." Zachary sounded a little excited. "I was afraid you would never answer my calls again."

"Not to that extent," Natasha said in a blunt and distant tone. "What can I do for you?"

The displeasure in her voice disconcerted Zachary for no apparent reason. "I called to apologize to you."

"Apologize?"

"My mother was at Infinitium for lunch today," he said, sincerity ringing in every syllable. "She had an altercation with Denise and Anthony before another bout of conflict with Old Mr. Watson. Of course, it was completely her fault and that Anthony and Denise were victims of this incident. Although Old Mr. Watson did not take any action out of respect for me, I think it's still necessary to tell you in person and apologize to you. I am sorry."

Although she did not want to admit it, Zachary's words eased Natasha's anger.

Being impartial in her dealings, Natasha did not have an opinion regarding how Zachary handled things earlier that day. His speaking out of integrity made her feel he did not let her down, at the very least. "I'll pay you a visit in person another time to apologize to Old Mr. Watson," Zachary said.

"No need," Natasha said. "It wasn't your fault."

"Though I hadn't directly caused it, it did make Denise and Anthony feel horrible," Zachary said, eager to make amends. "I hope they won't be angry with me!"

"I'm sure they're aware of whose fault it is," Natasha said dryly.

It was true. The triplets were even better at standing up for themselves than she was. It was a point of pride for Natasha.

Zachary was relieved upon hearing that. "That's good. Thank you again for not blaming me."

Natasha did not respond.

"I need a little time to clarify things of late," Zachary added after a moment's thought in response to her silence. "We'll have dinner together after I've dealt with everything." "Sounds good."

"You should get some sleep. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Natasha had a grim look in her eyes after hanging up.

She did not care much for Zachary. Though they were not destined to be lovers, they were at least friends. But after seeing Erin earlier that day, she could imagine what Zachary's life would be like in the future. It's none of my business, anyway. If, however, there is a repeat of the incident today, I won't be showing her any mercy.

Meanwhile, Liam headed straight to the hospital after sending the triplets home.

Fabian was delivering a work report to Kenneth when the elder Hamilton arrived, relieved that his grandson had remained in the hospital as instructed.

Appearing to be in a cheerful mood, the old man strode over and seated himself on the bedside chair.

Kenneth glanced at him. "You are looking chipper today."

"Mmm!" Liam nodded as a smile spread across his lips. "I am, aren't I?"

"What happened?" Kenneth turned his gaze upon his grandfather after signing the last of the documents and handing them back to Fabian.

After considering the matter briefly, Liam sat beside him on his bed. "Guess who I ran into today?"

"Didn't you spend the day with Old Mr. Watson and the triplets?" Kenneth asked.

Throughout the day, Liam had sent him countless photos of the triplets enjoying themselves on their day out. He could feel the pride and joy of his grandfather through the pictures he took.

His fondness for the triplets was so apparent that it was just shy of announcing it with fanfare.

"That's right, I did. I took them to Infinitium for lunch at noon today. Guess who I ran into there?"

Kenneth frowned. "Who?"

"Zachary's mother."

Kenneth narrowed his eyes at the mention of the woman.

The old man told him precisely what transpired in Infinitium earlier that day.

When Liam was done speaking, Kenneth's eyes glinted with a malevolent chill at the thought of the triplets' indignity.

"You have no idea," Liam concluded, "how that snarky vulture of a woman opened my eyes today. I would have had her thrown out and taught a lesson if Zachary didn't show up."

A smile appeared across his lips at the recollection of something else. "I have been thinking about how to tell Terence this but now I don't have to. He saw it clearly himself and would absolutely not dare give Nat and Zachary his blessing now. Don't you think it's an opportunity for the Hamiltons?"

Liam frowned at Kenneth's prolonged reticence. "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Kenneth glanced up at his grandfather. "Has the Lynch family always wanted a partnership with us, Grandpa?”

"It seems they did," Liam agreed tentatively, "though I don't know the specifics. Their proposal has never made it up to us upper management as the scale of their operation is simply not within our consideration at all."

At that moment, Kenneth's lips suddenly twisted into a smile. "Sometimes, you can't clobber your enemies to death."

"What do you want to do?" Liam asked.

Kenneth's smile broadened. "Wouldn't it be better to wring them dry?"