Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 783

Chapter 783 Anthony Exercising Authority

Natasha was moved by her speech.

All these years, she had never encountered someone who felt the same as she did.

Natasha suppressed the urge to cry as she gazed at Thalia and said, "No one in this world is more significant than anyone else. Each person is independent and remarkable in their own way. What you mentioned just now were merely additional criteria. Should we assume that those with no relatives and friends are not worthy of living?"

Upon hearing Natasha's words, Thalia realized that Natasha had a rare clear insight that not many possessed. Her words warmed Thalia's heart, and she felt that, at the very least, she had not misjudged Natasha's character.

Thalia nodded in agreement. "That's how it is for others, but you're my friend."

Natasha fixed her gaze on Thalia without saying anything.

With a smile, Thalia said, "All right, that's enough. Stop acting as if you were moved beyond words. Although I have given you the antidote, you still need to help me come up with a solution for more." Natasha bobbed her head at Thaila. "Of course."

Thalia's smile widened. Lifting her cup of coffee, she said, "Come, let's toast to your new chance at life."

However, Natasha blurted out, "Wait a minute."

"What's wrong?"

Natasha lifted her hand to summon the housekeeper. "Bring me the leftover red wine from the other day. Thanks."

The housekeeper nodded and left to get the red wine.

Thalia muttered, "Do we really need to drink this early in the morning?"

"You haven't tried this before, have you? It's a great experience," Natasha said teasingly.

An exasperated chuckle escaped Thalia's lips. "Aren't you afraid that Anthony will start chastising you if he sees this?"

"That's why I'm drinking it while he's not around," Natasha pointed out.

Thalia arched a brow. "Honestly, my alcohol tolerance has gotten a lot higher recently because of you."

Natasha flashed her a smile. "You're welcome."

Thalia snorted. "I'm not thanking you."

Right then, the housekeeper returned with half a bottle of red wine. After placing one glass each for Natasha and Thalia on the table, the housekeeper was just about to fill their glasses when Natasha interrupted her by saying, "I'll do it myself."

The housekeeper glanced at her before nodding. "All right."

With that said, the housekeeper retreated from the room.

Natasha then took the bottle and filled Thalia's glass first.

Watching Natasha pour the wine herself, Thalia teased, "Thank you for filling my glass personally, Ms. Watson. I'll definitely down this in one go."

After Natasha filled some for herself as well, she sat back down and said, "In that case, let's chug this, shall we?"

"Mhm," Thalia hummed.

The two clinked glasses. Then, Thalia tilted her head back and downed the contents in her glass with one gulp.

Natasha watched Thalia empty the glass before slowly doing the same.

After finishing her wine, Thalia licked her lips and savored the taste. "Yes, this is good."

"It is, isn't it? Do you want more?" Natasha queried, lifting a brow.

"Hey, drink lesser. You just took the antidote. What if the alcohol affects it?" Thalia questioned.

Natasha nodded in agreement. "All right. In that case, you should stop drinking too."

"But I'm fine!"

"You're tempting me!" Natasha uttered, pushing her glass to the side.

Thalia could not help chuckling. "All right, I'll listen to you this one time."

The two of them then started eating instead.

A thought popped into Natasha's head, and she turned to face Thalia. "By the way, when are you planning to depart?"

"Tonight if everything goes to plan," Thalia told her.

Natasha nodded. "All right. Have a safe journey."

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Thalia reassured her.

Natasha answered her with a smile.

In the middle of their conversation, several sets of footsteps sounded out upstairs.

When they lifted their heads, they noticed the children walking down the stairs.

"Nat. Thalia," Denise quietly greeted.

Thalia raised her brows. "Oh my, what a surprise. I can't believe you noticed me today!"

"I told you you're always in my heart," Denise muttered as she walked over to the adults.

Thalia chuckled. "Okay, you pass the test."

Right then, Anthony came over and spotted the red wine on the table. Frowning and turning to shoot Natasha and Thalia a sharp glare, he said, "You're drinking this early in the morning?" Natasha and Thalia shared a look, but before Natasha could say anything, Thalia uttered, "She insisted on drinking; I was forced into this."

Natasha was baffled. "Excuse me? Did you even hesitate when you sold me out?"

"Your son won't dare to reprimand you, so it's only right that you bear the responsibility for this. Also, you were indeed the one who suggested this."

Natasha took a deep breath and bobbed her head. "Okay. Fine."

With that said, she turned to Anthony, who was staring straight at her. It was obvious that he was unhappy about the matter.

However, before he could say anything else, Natasha told him, "I only drank a little of it. I won't do it again."

"Really?" Anthony arched a brow of suspicion.

"Really." Natasha nodded firmly.

"I'll get Daddy to keep an eye on you. If this happens again, I'll be mad," Anthony warned.

Natasha bobbed her head again. "Sure, no problem."

Right then, Anthony summoned the housekeepers to get them to keep away the wine bottle. At the same time, he told them, "Don't let my mommy drink anymore."

Once the housekeepers were gone, Natasha narrowed her eyes and said, “Is that really necessary?"

"I'll tell each and every one of them later on," was all Anthony said before sitting down.

Natasha blinked her pretty eyes before trying to negotiate with him. "I think you don't need to be that strict..."

"No," Anthony decisively said with a shake of his head.

"I'll just drink a little bit."

Anthony continued shaking his head. "Nat, if you can't be a good role model, you're going to have a hard time disciplining the three of us in the future."

Anthony was already playing the most ruthless card on her, so what more could she say?

The words "good role model" forced her to relent.

"Fine. Pretend I didn't say anything."

Anthony only became at ease when he saw his mother giving in.

Meanwhile, Denise and Benjamin had been watching their exchange. After a while, Benjamin asked, "Nat, when did Tony start exercising so much control over you?" Chewing on her food, Natasha mumbled, "What else can I say when he's doing this on the pretext of caring for my well-being?"

Anthony corrected her, "It's not just a pretext. I'm really doing this for your sake."

Natasha nodded. "Yes, yes, you're right."

Both Benjamin and Denise could not help but laugh upon hearing that.

However, Anthony immediately turned to them and said somberly, "The two of you are at fault, too. I told you so many times to keep a close eye on Nat, but what did you do?"

Anthony didn't usually exercise authority over his younger siblings as the oldest, but when he did, he allowed no room for negotiation. Furthermore, he was in the right, so neither Benjamin nor Denise dared say anything in response.