Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 1001 Before His Death

As Thalia finished speaking, Anthony immediately responded, "There's no need."

Thalia turned to look at him, furrowing her eyebrows. "Wait, what do you mean by that expression? Are you disgusted with me?"

"No, it's just that I genuinely don't need it," Anthony replied.

Thalia frowned, replaceing it somewhat amusing. "Anthony Watson, don't you know a good thing when you see it? Let me tell you, so many kids over there in training specifically requested to meet me by name. I'm a star, and I'm telling you that being trained by me is your honor, you know?"

"Is that so?" Anthony asked.

"Yes it is."

Anthony couldn't stop the slight smile from curving his lips.

"Besides, if you manage to please me and keep me happy, who knows, I might go easy on you when the time comes!" Thalia continued.

"That's precisely why I don't need it," Anthony said.

"What do you mean?"

"We're too familiar with each other, and you might hesitate to go all out against me. But one time when you decide to go easy, it could be my fatal blow. So, there's really no need for it," Anthony explained calmly.

Thalia chuckled as she listened. "Not bad, you have good insight into this. You understand!"

Anthony, still looking straight ahead, said, "If I'm going to do it, I want to become the strongest."

Seeing Anthony's ambitious demeanor, Thalia suddenly thought back to her own childhood. During that time, she had done everything in her power to break free from her dysfunctional family. It wasn't until she met Spencer...

Even though she had enjoyed a period of stability with Spencer, she had never given up on her desire to become stronger.

With this in mind, she raised her lips slightly and looked at Anthony. "Don't worry. I may say those things, but going easy on someone won't happen." Anthony glanced at her.

"I mean it; trust me!" Thalia insisted.

"Even if I agree, Kyle won't," Anthony replied.

Thalia was taken aback. She looked at him and asked, "How do you know?"

"Because my concerns align with his," Anthony explained.

"You're really doubting my sense of professionalism by saying that!" Thalia said, clearly displeased.

Upon hearing her, Anthony gave her a side look. "You see, we both know you too well."

Thalia wanted to argue, but after a moment's thought, she said, "Fine, we'll see. Let's see if I can train you guys in the end!"

Anthony didn't say anything more. He turned his gaze to the outside.

Thalia glanced at him but refrained from further comments. She focused on the road, pressed the accelerator, and drove back at a faster speed.

On the other side, after Thalia and Anthony had left, Holden returned to the group.

Kyle remained seated, deep in meditation. Holden approached and sat down beside him. "What's on your mind?"

Kyle heard him and turned to look. "You're back?"

Holden inquired, "What's bothering you? You seem lost in thought."

"It's nothing... just work-related stuff," Kyle replied.

Holden studied him. "Did Thalia say something to you?"

"Um..."

"Can't say?" Holden raised an eyebrow as he observed Kyle's evident dilemma.

"It's not... I'm just thinking about how to tell you," Kyle replied hesitantly.

Holden chuckled at his apparent discomfort. "All right, take your time to figure it out then."

Kyle hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Aren't you even a bit curious?"

Holden shrugged. "Curious about what?"

Kyle wanted to say something, but he couldn't quite replace the words as he watched Holden's nonchalant demeanor.

"It's probably best if all these troublesome matters come to you. It saves me a lot of hassle," Holden remarked.

He had always been rather hands-off when it came to work-related matters, preferring to handle things as they came and not overthink them.

He had a laid-back approach to most things.

Being the backbone of the dark web required not only problem-solving abilities but also the talent for winning people over, and it was clear that Holden wasn't particularly adept at the latter. In contrast, Kyle

was.

In their partnership, their roles were well-defined.

However, despite their clear division of labor, Kyle looked at him and asked, "Can't you at least try to share some of the burden with me?"

Holden replied, "I'm sorry, but I probably lack that capability."

"Is it that you lack it or that you don't want to?"

Holden chuckled and said, "If it helps you understand, there isn't much of a difference between the two."

"Holden, you're getting shameless. You're openly advocating for a freeloading lifestyle!" Kyle teased, looking at him face-to-face.

Holden just smiled. "If I have the time, I'd rather go fishing." Then, he remembered something. "By the way, I heard from Thalia that Anthony, Benjamin, and Denise are triplets."

Kyle lounged back in his chair, crossing his legs and adopting a relaxed posture. He casually nodded and said, "Yeah."

"You've met them already?"

"I met them briefly the last time."

"Why didn't you mention it?"

Kyle responded, "If I had, would you have reacted like you did just now?"

Holden was silent for a moment. "Seriously?"

"Yeah."

Holden rolled his eyes at Kyle before saying, "They happen to be around. When are you going to invite them over? I want to meet them." Seeing his joyous expression, Kyle squinted slightly and commented, "No, seriously, why do I feel like you're treating them... differently?" "Do you think so?"

"Do you not?" Kyle countered, studying Holden from head to toe. "Do you like children?"

"Of course!" Holden nodded.

"Wait, when did this happen? I had no idea you liked kids," Kyle asked.

"If you didn't know, it means you lack concern for your friends and colleagues. Besides, I've always liked kids; it's just that there haven't been any around," Holden explained.

Kyle looked at him in utter surprise. "This is unexpected."

Speaking of this, Holden continued, "I almost became a father back then..."

As he mentioned this, Kyle, who had been smiling moments ago, suddenly froze.

"If she were still alive, our child would probably be as old as Anthony now," Holden murmured. He gave a faint smile, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and sweet memories as he recalled his girlfriend. Kyle watched him, uncertain of what to say.

This was the first time in many years that he had brought up "her" on his own, and also the first time he had openly discussed the past.

From the incident to the present, this matter had always been a taboo topic, one that no one dared to mention, including him.

It had never been discussed.

Yet today, he had brought it up himself.

Did that mean...

Narrowing his eyes, Kyle looked at him. "You never bring this up... Why did you suddenly remember today?"

Holden glanced at him and said, "I don't know, it just came to me today. Maybe it's seeing Anthony that brought up some strange feelings."

Kyle pursed his lips and asked, "Are you bringing this up today because... it's finally behind you?"

Holden suddenly met his gaze and said, "Kenneth's not dead. How can I possibly put this behind me?"

Kyle looked at him, unsure of what to say.

"I received word that Kenneth is here," Holden said, gazing at him with a determined look.