Tony texted: I haven't decided. I still need more time to think about it. Alpha Kilian replied: I'm not going to wait for you.
Tony : I want to learn to shoot!
Alpha Kilian : Sure, you're in. What about you, Ben ? He fired the next question and made the conversation feel like a timed quiz.
Ben : I want to visit Alpha Dave's armory once more. Alpha Kilian : All right, I'll liaise with him on that.
Ben : Daddy, I want an answer now! Alpha Kilian : Okay, okay, I promise to bring you there.
Ben replied with an emoji to indicate that he was pleased with the answer. Alpha Kilian asked: Can you tell me now?
Right then, Donna joined the conversation: I've taken a screenshot of the above messages, and I'll send it to Nelly if you don't include me.
Words eluded Alpha Kilian . How shrewd is this girl?
Alpha Kilian : Donna , I guess I've spoiled you for all the wrong reasons.
Donna rebutted with another text: Well, Daddy, don't take it personally. Let's not bring familial affection into the picture and cloud the matter. I've got solid proof.
Alpha Kilian took a deep breath to calm himself down. Judging from the way they prioritize personal gains, they are certainly my children.
He texted a question: What is it that you want? Say it.
Donna : I want to learn to shoot too.
Alpha Kilian : What good will it do to a girl who learns to shoot?
Donna : Don't be so sexist, Daddy. Girls aren't any weaker than boys, so you must be fair to me. Alpha Kilian : I'm not judging you or anything. I just thought you could be better off learning something else. Donna : I can learn other things, but I also want to learn to shoot!
After pondering for a while, Alpha Kilian texted: Okay, you have my blessings to do so. He thought it would be beneficial for Donna to acquire new knowledge and skills so she could protect herself better, regardless of her career choice in the future.
Donna : Are you going to teach me personally, Daddy?
Alpha Kilian replied with a question: Of course. Would I abdicate my responsibilities and pass you to someone else?
With a cute emoji, Donna replied: You're the best, Daddy! As expected, her trick worked like magic.
Alpha Kilian took a glance at the person next to him and typed another message: Can you tell me what happened now?
Tony : I'll go first. Nelly saw the bullet holes in the car. Alpha Kilian frowned and asked: And then?
Ben : Well, Nelly didn't ask nor say a word. She just stared at the car for a moment before entering. Alpha Kilian : What is that supposed to mean? He was completely baffled.
Donna : I know! Nelly usually acts like that when she has a tacit understanding of something. It's the same expression she wears on her face when she finds out about the naughty things the three of us have done.
Alpha Kilian : So... does that mean she's angry?
Simultaneously, the trio sent their replies in the affirmative. Tony :Yup.
Ben : Yes.
Donna : That's right.
Upon reading all their messages, Alpha Kilian turned around and gazed at Nelly , who was resting nearby. He felt so lost and helpless.
Moments later, he fixed his eyes on the phone screen and texted: How should I resolve this matter? Tony : Are you asking us?
Alpha Kilian : What a stupid question! Who else am I talking to?
Tony : In this case, don't blame me for being heartless, Daddy. Solutions are plenty, but it depends on your level of sincerity when you ask for help.
Alpha Kilian : What do you mean?
Tony : Daddy, did you realize that none of your biological children have ever received any monetary gift from you?
Ben chimed in: Now that you've mentioned it...
Donna : Daddy, just so you know, I'm forced to follow the majority at this point, or else I'll be excluded. May God bless you, Daddy. Ditto.
Alpha Kilian was rendered speechless.
These three munchkins are blackmailing me, aren't they?
Alpha Kilian : I'm happy to gift you all something, but I have a credit limit. At most, it's a million per person. Are you okay with that amount?
Tony was the first to reply with his banking details. He texted: Daddy, this is my account number in Sumanthova.
Ben sent his banking details too. He wrote: Tony , you're putting Daddy on the spot, aren't you? Fine. Since you've got the ball rolling, it won't be appropriate for Daddy to be unfair.
Needless to say, Donna followed suit and did exactly the same.
Left without a choice, Alpha Kilian tapped the application on his phone and transferred the money to his children.
Shortly after, the trio received a notification that a million had been credited to each of their accounts. Upon reading the transaction notification, the children shared a look and arched their brows.
Alpha Kilian : I can only transfer that much for now. Anything beyond that amount will require me to make a personal phone call to the bank. Do you want me to wake Nelly up?
Tony had wanted to ask for more money, but he gave up after reading what Alpha Kilian wrote. Since the triplets were afraid to wake Nelly up, they let the matter slide.
Tony : Okay, forget it, then. Considering the fact that you're my daddy, I'll let you go this time. Alpha Kilian fell silent.
What did you guys do to me just now?
Tony changed the topic and texted: Anyway, let me share a way to resolve this issue. I rarely upset Nelly , so if I show her my puppy-dog eyes, coupled with a pitiful expression, I can basically appease her anger.
Alpha Kilian : That's all?
Tony : It's a practical move that never fails me. Alpha Kilian was dumbfounded.
Ben : I seldom upset Nelly . When I do, I apologize to her sincerely. Nelly always says she won't be mad at us if we admit our faults.
Alpha Kilian kept quiet as he followed the conversations.
Donna : I, on the other hand, make Nelly blow her top all the time. However, she will forgive me whenever I squirm into her arms and say sorry in an ingratiating manner.
Alpha Kilian felt so helpless after reading their messages. Are these three kids trying to prank me?
He texted: Which of the methods mentioned should I use?
Tony : Any one of them! Daddy, you can go with either one you like.
Ben : That's right, Daddy. There are three solutions shared by the three of us. There's no problem if
you want to try them all.
Donna : Actually, I have one more idea for you, Daddy. I think it goes well with your pragmatic personality.
Alpha Kilian scrunched his brows and replied: Enlighten me.
Alpha Kilian swiftly replied: Don't watch dramas like these anymore.
Donna was still daydreaming. When she read Alpha Kilian 's reply, she was stunned. She asked: Why? Alpha Kilian : Those are trash content and not suitable for you.
Donna : Daddy, how could you take away my right to enjoy them? Alpha Kilian : Just don't watch them anymore.
Donna : Daddy, I will not stick my nose in your and Nelly 's affair anymore. Tony and Ben refused to comment on anything.
The group fell silent. Alpha Kilian turned to look at Nelly once again. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be taking a much-needed rest. Alpha Kilian couldn't help but notice her delicate features. Her upturned nose and long lashes accentuated her beauty, while her fair skin and naturally pink lips gave her an effortless charm that needed no makeup to enhance.
When his eyes landed on his clenched-up jaw, Alpha Kilian 's thin lips pursed into a hard line. He knew well that Nelly was easygoing with most matters, but she loathed people lying to her.
Alpha Kilian knew he had to find a way to explain things to her.
It took them almost an hour's drive before they finally reached their destination. Nelly woke up when Alpha Kilian stopped the car.
Just when he was about to say something, his phone suddenly rang. Alpha Kilian had no choice but to pick up the call.
“Hello. We're here too. All right. Come over here.” After hanging up the call, Alpha Kilian turned to look at Nelly . “That was Spencer. He has arrived and is on his way here.”
Nelly nodded.
Alpha Kilian couldn't figure out whether she was mad from her nonchalant response. He tried his luck and asked, “Nelly , did you sleep well just now?”
“Quite well.” “Then—”
Nelly turned to look at Tony , who was sitting behind, and asked, “How are the arrangements?” Alpha Kilian could only eye Nelly , as he was interrupted before he could finish his sentence.
“Let me go first,” Tony said. “You alone?” Nelly asked.
Tony nodded.
Nelly thought for a moment and said, “That works too.”
Just when Tony was about to leave the car, Alpha Kilian called out to him, “Tony , wait.” Tony turned around to regard him.
Alpha Kilian took something out and stuffed it into Tony 's ears. “What's this?”
“Don't worry. We're not going to eavesdrop on your conversations. You can get in contact with us if anything comes up. Just tap it once to turn it on or off. I'll only be able to listen to you when it's turned on,” Alpha Kilian explained.
Tony nodded in response.
“Come on. Test it out.”
Tony tapped on the device. “Hello, Daddy.”
It was crisp and clear on Alpha Kilian 's end. He gave Tony a thumbs up and said, “It's all good.” Tony tapped on the device again, but Alpha Kilian heard nothing this time.
“Great. It works,” Alpha Kilian said.
Tony nodded. “I'm going in, then.”
Spencer showed up when he was about to get out of the car.
Tony was shocked when he noticed Spencer's red eyes. The latter looked as if he had pulled an all- nighter.
“Are you going to look for her?” Spencer asked. Tony nodded.
Spencer pursed his lips. “You must persuade her to come back. You must.” “I'll try my best.”
Spencer nodded. Tony was their only chance. “Go on.”
Tony got out of the car.
“Be careful,” Nelly reminded him.
Tony gestured an okay sign. “Don't worry, Nelly .” Then he left without turning back.
Spencer watched intently as Tony entered the hotel. Only then did Nelly speak up. “Why, are you only going to come in after Thalia sees you?”
Only then did Spencer look away and get into the car.
Spencer usually seemed indifferent, but he looked as though he had aged a decade overnight right then. Gone was his usual vigorous self.
“Don't act all innocent when you brought it upon yourself. Just remember the lesson if you really feel guilty,” Nelly said.
Spencer cast a glance at her. “If that hadn't happened, I would have let her go when she wanted to leave. But now—”
Nelly pursed her lips. “I will not run away from my responsibilities.” “Nelly , I didn't mean it that way.”
“It's all right. I know.”
Spencer looked at her and decided against saying anything. In the hotel, Tony had no idea which room Thalia was in.
There were blind spots, so it was an arduous task to locate her through the surveillance footage. Tony approached the receptionist.
“Hello,” Tony said.
The receptionist's eyes glinted as she exclaimed, “It's you! Is there anything I can help you with?” “You know me?”
“Didn't you stay in our hotel before?” Tony nodded immediately. “Yes.”
He did not expect the receptionist to recognize him. Even God is on my side. “Why? Do you need any help?” the receptionist asked.
“Um, do you still remember the girl who stayed here with me?” “Yes. That was your sister, right?”
“Yes, that's right.” Tony put on an innocent face. “She's still staying here. I'm here to look for her, but I've forgotten the room number, and I can't get in touch with her right now. Could you tell me which
room she's staying in?”
Perhaps Tony was too adorable. The receptionist didn't think much before agreeing to his request. “Sure. Let me check.”
Tony flashed her a megawatt smile and said sweetly, “Thank you.” The receptionist smiled. “What's your sister's name?”
“Thalia Jacoway.”
“We don't have a guest named Thalia Jacoway here,” the receptionist said after checking the system. “Are you sure that your sister's staying here now?”
Tony was befuddled. Didn't Thalia use her real name?
His brows snapped together as he tried to recall the name that Thalia had used during the registration when they were here together.
“Could you check under the name Vera?”
The receptionist ran the name through the system. “I found it! It's Room 1209.” Tony smiled. “All right. Thank you.”
“Why Vera, though?”
“It's my sister's stage name.”
The receptionist nodded in understanding. “Ah, I see.”
“I'm going to head upstairs now, then. Thank you so much.” “Oh, right, where's your brother who tagged along last time?”
Tony and Ben had left quite an impression on the receptionist, as it was uncommon to spot people from Aploth there, and they were twins.