Tony had intended to repair Miguel's phone but upon second thought, he decided not to. He tossed the phone back to Miguel. “If he comes looking for you again, tell him how to reach me.”
Miguel frowned. “Why?” “Just do as I say.”
Miguel felt uneasy. “Are you going to take another apprentice, Master?” I am concerned about where I stand.
Tony rolled his eyes at his words. “He's more skilled than I am. Who am I to teach him things?” “Then what are you...”
Tony pondered for a moment and said, “I know what I'm doing.”
“You wouldn't cast me aside, would you, Master?” Miguel asked meekly, a sorrowful look dampening his usual cheeriness.
Tony stared at him. “If you're going to keep making assumptions, don't ever mention that you are my apprentice. I can't bear the embarrassment.”
“I won't. I promise you I won't,” Miguel said hastily.
Tony sighed. He was about to leave when Miguel grabbed his shirt. Tony turned around to glance at him. “What is it?”
Miguel grinned. “Are you finally going to admit that you are—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Tony placed a finger to his own lips to hush him.
Upon coming to his senses, Miguel glanced around furtively. The others were so used to his daily proximity to Tony that none of them looked over.
Aside from me, nobody else in the house knows about his true identity.
Turning back to Tony , Miguel lowered his voice and amended himself. “You've finally admitted your identity, so when are you going to acknowledge me?”
“Acknowledge you? As what?” “As your apprentice!”
Tony glared at him in annoyance. “Is my silence not a tacit agreement?”
“You have agreed tacitly, but the world doesn't know!” “What are you getting at?”
“Aren't you going to announce to the world that you have taken on a charming apprentice?” Miguel gave an ingratiating smile.
Tony grimaced. “Is that necessary?”
Miguel nodded. “Of course. It pertains to my identity, which is the first among any other apprentices you may have in the future.” As he spoke, Miguel laughed at the pleasantness of the prospect.
Tony was rendered speechless.
Aside from a glare, he did not deign to respond but rose to leave instead.
“Master!” Miguel hastened to block him before regarding him with a confused expression. “You should at least say something.”
Tony shut his eyes in resignation. “You want me to acknowledge you, is that it?”
Miguel nodded eagerly.
“We'll see about that after you brush up on your techniques. If you don't do something about your abysmal typing speed, I will disown you!” Tony threatened.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and left Miguel rooted at the spot.
What does that mean? Did I shoot myself in the foot? Instead of getting the recognition I deserve, I now face the possibility of being disowned!
Miguel came back to his senses at that alarming realization. No! I cannot allow that to happen!
Upon making up his mind, he strode purposefully to his computer and got to work. I must work on my speed and technique!
The triplets were having a stroll outside when Donna broached the subject. “Are you really going to accept Miguel as your apprentice, Tony?”
“Since I can't get rid of him, I might as well keep him around,” Tony replied after considering the question momentarily.
“That doesn't seem like your style.” “What is my style?”
“Hmm... You work better alone.” Tony chuckled.
“I must say, this fellow, Miguel, is rather handsome. He's a burst of sunshine, though lacking in some brains,” Donna added.
“He's rather accomplished for his age, but that will change in time,” Tony said. “Hey, are you defending your apprentice?” Donna teased.
“I'm just stating facts.”
“Facts they may be, you're commenting on your apprentice's tender age despite being younger than him,” Donna pointed out.
Tony raised his brows, and a hint of pride flashed across them. “This isn't the same.”
“How is it not the same?”
“I am the chosen one. How can you compare him with me?”
Donna cast him a scathing glare. “You should work on your modesty, Tony. Be more down-to-earth and humble like Ben.”
Tony glanced at Ben beside him. “Him? Humble?” “Mm-hmm!”
“We all shared a womb. How are you that clueless about him?” Tony asked.
“How am I clueless?” Donna asked.
Tony caught up with Ben , who was walking slowly, and said, “Ben , whatever it is you want to say, just say it. What's with that expression?”
“Nothing.”
“Do you really think I don't know what you're thinking about?”
Ben side-eyed his brother and replied, “Is it what I am thinking about or what you are thinking about?”
Upon hearing his double-edged remark, Tony narrowed his eyes slightly and said, “Ben , did you secretly pick up mind-reading skills?”
Ben let out a chuckle. “So, are you finally admitting to it?”
Tony sighed. “Why is it so hard to keep anything from you?” He nodded. “Yes, it's true that I have selfish intentions. I've been wanting to form my own hacker organization. His skills are not worse than mine, so I wanted to try to get him to join me.”
Ben seemed to have expected it. He was not surprised at all when he heard that. He fixed his gaze on his brother and analyzed, “His skills are indeed not worse than yours, and it's definitely beneficial for your organization with him joining. But we don't really know him well, and considering his links with Midnight fang pack , even if he pledges his allegiance to you, do you really think he will remain loyal?”
Tony furrowed his brows. “I've thought about what you said as well. That's why it's just an idea. Let's see how it goes. Besides, he's not going to be the only person in my organization. I won't recruit him if I have any doubts about him.”
Ben nodded and replied, “Mm. You should give it some careful thought. It's better to be safe than sorry. We can't afford this loss.”
“I know.” Tony nodded, then looked at Ben . “So, do you want to be the first member of my organization?”
Ben chuckled. “Bye.”
Staring at his departing figure, Tony said, “Won't you even consider that? As long as we brothers unite, there's nothing we can't accomplish.”
“I'm not interested,” Ben rejected directly.
Knowing that his brother was not interested in this, Tony asked, “Anyway, what are your plans?”
Ben thought about it for a moment and replied, “I don't have any plans yet, but no matter what it is, I will continue doing what I enjoy doing.”
Tony nodded. “All right. Our family is very democratic, and we will never stop you from pursuing your dreams. Although research requires a huge amount of time and money, our family is rich, so you don't have to worry. Besides... even if Daddy and Nelly don't care, you still have me. I will always support you unconditionally!”
“Are you going to fund my research?” “Are you going to fund my research?” “Do you even have to ask?”
“Really?”
“Of course. It's a given.”
Ben looked up at the sky at once as if he was searching for something. Tony looked up as well and asked, “What are you looking at?”
“I'm trying to see if there are pigs in the sky.”
Tony was rendered speechless. He withdrew his gaze and said, “Seriously, Ben , you're so ungrateful!”
Ben flashed a cheeky smile and replied, “Is that not the case? After all, you have always been so
stingy toward Donna and me. I'm just surprised at your sudden generosity, although it's only all talk at the moment.”
“How could you call me stingy? I did all of that to help the two of you learn and make sure that your lives are fulfilling. It's all for your sake. Now that you have grown up well and are ready to take on the world, it's time for me, as your elder brother, to show you some love!”
“Is that so?”
“Of course!” Tony stepped forward and put his arm around Ben 's shoulder. “Maybe you should call me your big bro from now on. The more you call me that, the more funding you will get from me.”
So this is what he's after.
Ben looked at Tony with an innocent expression. “Really?” “Of course. C'mon, try it.” Tony looked at his brother expectantly.
Ben inched closer to his ear and paused for a second before saying, “Tony Jackson , stop dreaming!”
Tony did not expect that.
“You need to try harder if you expect me to believe your nonsense! Do you really think I'll buy that?” Ben left after saying that.
Tony sighed in resignation as he gazed at Ben . It's getting harder to fool Ben .
Following behind his brother, Tony said, “Fine. It's okay if you don't want to call me that, but as your elder brother, I still want to let you know that, no matter what you choose to do in the future, I will always support you, both morally and financially!”
Ben cast a glance at Tony . “Thalia said that there aren't many talents in this field. If I decide to venture on this path, I will definitely be a hot commodity, and money will come naturally.”
Tony frowned at the mention of that. “But we don't know much about this field yet. I need to find out more about it and see if it's really as impressive as how Thalia described.”
“No need. Don't worry. I can handle it myself,” Ben said.
“All right, then. It's fine, as long as you know what you're doing.” Tony nodded.
“I've always known what I want to do,” Ben said with determination flashing in his eyes. Tony fell into a daze as he looked at Ben .
Noticing that Tony was looking at him with a blank look in his eyes, Ben asked, “What is it?”