Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 249

Chapter 249 Pretense Falls Apart

Kingsley's expression became stony at Kenneth's blatant disrespect.

"I'm your elder, Kenneth. How could you speak to me like this?" Kingsley demanded as he panted with rage at being spoken to in such a manner before the two women.

A sneer appeared on Kenneth's lips as he gazed at the other man disdainfully. "Elder? You flatter yourself, Mr. Watson. You are only a shareholder of Hamilton Corporation. You're not fit to be anybody's elder."

"How dare you?" Kingsley glared at him. "I'm the same age as your father, Kenneth, and also a veteran of the company. Being an elder is the least you should acknowledge me as. Are you that arrogant to people?"

"Arrogant?" Kenneth repeated coolly. "That implies that you are a human being deserving of my respect."

"Kenneth!" Kingsley shouted with a fierce glare, though he could not do anything against the younger man.

Kenneth would at least pretend to be courteous when he ran into Kingsley in the past. However, after the attempted impeachment previously, Kenneth had robbed him of practically everything. Though he had a bit of shares left, he did not have any authority in the company anymore.

I can't believe he isn't even giving me the dignity of acting respectfully.

Kingsley spoke once more after staring at the younger man for a long time. "As your elder, Kenneth, I advise you to keep your ego in check, lest it comes back to bite you in the ass."

Kenneth merely smiled. "You should watch yourself instead, Mr. Watson. After all, you wade in dangerous waters."

Though he spoke lightly, there was a hint of overwhelming threat in his voice.

Kingsley glared at him as he clenched his fists.

"Hmph, just you wait!" he grunted coldly before leaving with a dramatic turn of his heels.

Kenneth smiled faintly at his departure.

Thea remained where she was. Her gaze fell upon Kenneth after Kingsley left.

This man is arrogant but has the right to be. It's so attractive watching him tell people off.

Her heart beat faster as she said, "Thank you for getting me out of that, Kenneth.”

It was only then that Kenneth's gaze fell upon her, though the luster had disappeared from his eyes. It was like he was looking at a stranger. "You overthink. I wasn't getting you out of anything. I merely addressed a problem between him and me."

Thea was surprised and hurt at how cleanly Kenneth cut her off.

She gazed instinctively at Natasha. Though the latter stood next to him with an inscrutable expression on her face, Thea knew that Kenneth's blunt refrain was for Natasha's benefit.

Her face flushing with embarrassment, she was about to say more when Kenneth turned to look at Natasha.

"Let's go," he murmured in a voice as warm as his gaze. "We should head in."

Natasha swept a glance over at Thea before nodding her assent. "Mmm."

In a well-practiced motion, Kenneth took her hand and headed inside without another word.

He looks at me as if I was a mere acquaintance.

Thea's eyes grew red as the memories of happier times they shared surfaced in her mind's eye. Slowly, jealousy clouded her vision as her fists clenched.

The jealousy seared especially painfully when she saw them holding hands.

His love belongs to me. I should be the one standing next to him. The appearance of this woman has changed everything!

Thea's resolve strengthened at that thought.

Turning to leave, her brows creased when she suddenly caught sight of the person standing behind her.

At that moment, Denise was standing not far away with a man behind her. She was watching Thea with a smile on her face that looked uncannily like Natasha's.

"What do

you think? My parents are a good match, aren't they?" Denise asked as she smiled mockingly at the woman.

Already fuming, Thea's mood did not improve at the sight of the newcomer.

"Good match?" Thea scoffed. "How so? Don't you know that your mother stole somebody else's man? What about that is worth showing off? She's the third wheel, and you are merely her daughter." Denise kept her cool against the woman's palpable fury.

Natasha had once taught her not to get angry at a loser as the victory would be meaningless.

Denise sighed as she looked at Thea with pity. "A woman with unrequited love is a pitiful thing indeed."

Thea turned pale with rage. "What did you say?" she snarled.

If it were not for the man standing behind her, she would have dashed forward to teach the girl a lesson.

Denise merely gazed at Thea. Though the woman's expression at the moment was terrifying, there was no hint of fear in Denise's eyes. "My mother was with my father before you. Even Daddy has never acknowledged you as his girlfriend. Isn't that unrequited love?"

Thea did not expect to be taught a lesson by a young girl. "What do you know?" she snapped, gritting her teeth in consternation. "If it weren't for your mother's appearance, I would be his girlfriend now!" Denise's eyes held nothing but pity. "All right, then. Think whatever you want, as long as it makes you happy."

Without waiting for Thea to respond, the girl left.

"Little girl!" Thea called out suddenly.

Denise turned around. "Is there anything else?"

Thea smiled coldly at her. "I just want to warn you to watch your words and attitude when you're in public, or somebody will teach you a lesson."

Denise smiled indifferently at her words. "I will be courteous to those who deserve it. Others, however, are not worthy."

Without affording her an opportunity to retort, Denise smiled one last time and headed in with the stride of a victor. The sight drove Thea mad.

She lost her composure entirely as her eyes narrowed with hatred.

If it was jealousy she felt toward Natasha earlier, Denise's words had managed to invoke her rage.

Thea's gaze flitted upward to the poster at the entrance, which was a photograph of the triplets.

A birthday party?

This time, she was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, she walked toward the wall-to-ceiling window, which allowed her a view of everything going on at the party. Though the attendees were few, the decorations conjured a warm and intimate setting. Peals of laughter erupted as the triplets chased each other around. Kenneth remained by Natasha's side the entire time. His gaze did not so much as move from her body.

The scene felt like a thorn in Thea's eye.

Why should they enjoy a happy ending while I fall into despair like so?

At that thought, hatred flashed across Thea's eyes. If that's the case, we'll all despair together! Nobody gets a happy ending if I don't!