As her exquisite-looking eyes narrowed, Nelly looked down to eat in silence. Her lush eyelashes exuded an indescribable innocence as they folded downward.
Just as Thalia was about to say something, Nelly picked up her coffee and nodded. “Today's coffee is really good.”
Thalia was instantly distracted by the words as a gleeful smile descended upon her face. “Really? I knew you would like it!”
Nelly nodded with certainty. “I do. Did you make it?” “Mmm-hmm.” Thalia nodded.
“Where did you get it from?”
“It's a secret,” Thalia replied with a mysterious grin, eliciting a smile from Nelly . “That said, I'll give you a can since you like it.”
“I want two!”
“Why are you so greedy? They are really expensive.” Thalia knitted her brows. “Obviously, one isn't enough. I'll finish it in two days,” Nelly replied.
Thalia stared at her for a few seconds before relenting. “Fine. I'll give you two cans since you have such good taste. However, you had better not get any greedier!”
With her coffee in hand, Nelly teased, “We'll see about that.” “You...”
Faced with Nelly 's smile, Thalia reciprocated with one of her own.
Listening to the delightful chatter in the background felt like torment to Spencer, for he was overwhelmed with guilt and complex emotions.
It was just as Alpha Kilian had said. He was one of Nelly 's few friends who, despite seldom seeing each other, were emotionally in sync to an extent greater than that of someone related by blood.
Now that such an idea had entered his mind, he was forced to admit that he couldn't bring himself to face her.
Eating with his head hung low, Spencer clearly looked troubled. Alpha Kilian , who was sitting beside him, threw the former a glance as if he could read his mind.
“I'm done with my meal.” At that moment, Spencer suddenly got to his feet.
Thalia was stunned. The sight of the barely touched food on his plate elicited a furrow of her brows. “But you hardly ate anything.”
“You guys carry on.” Without another word, Spencer got up and left. Staring at his leaving silhouette, Thalia let out a sigh.
It was then that Nelly stopped her. “Ignore him. Let's continue eating.” “Somehow, this just feels weird,” Thalia remarked.
“Eat!” Nelly gave her a look without another word.
Right then, Alpha Kilian heard his phone ring. After receiving it to check, he headed outside to take the call.
Even though Nelly was eating calmly, one could tell she was clearly troubled from the look in her eyes.
At that moment, the three children came downstairs and threw themselves at Nelly . “Nelly .”
Donna came up to Nelly in a cutesy manner. “Good morning, Nelly .”
After giving her hair a tousle, Nelly remarked smilingly, “It's late, you lazy bum. Time to get something to eat.”
Donna broke into a sweet smile before settling down on the seat closest to Nelly . “I want to sit right next to you.”
Nelly responded with a chuckle.
At that moment, Tony greeted, “Good morning, Nelly .” “Morning. Go ahead and grab a bite,” Nelly instructed. Tony and Ben subsequently took their seats.
It was then that Thalia complained, “Come on, all of you only have eyes for Nelly . What about me? I'm nothing but a pitiful and lonely soul.”
The children obviously got the hint.
Donna leaned over and placed her head on Thalia's arm. “Thalia, you'll always be in our hearts. Not greeting you doesn't mean we don't love you, all right?”
No one could stay angry in the face of Donna 's charm offensive.
Consequently, a vibrant smile descended upon Thalia's face. “You're the best, Donna . Muack, muack!” “Muack, muack!” Donna reciprocated.
Their banter caused Tony and Ben to furrow their brows. “What in the world?” Tony questioned.
Thalia rolled her eyes at him. “It's none of your business!” “Exactly!” Donna seconded.
The unfolding scene in front of her brought a faint smile to Nelly 's face.
Tony didn't comment further as he frowned at the coffee in Nelly 's hand. Without any hesitation, he walked straight to the kitchen and returned with two glasses of milk.
“Nelly , drink some milk.” “I'm having coffee.”
“Milk is more nutritious and will supplement your health,” Tony insisted.
When Nelly gave him a look, the unsettled Tony averted her gaze by reflex. Finally, he placed the glass of milk in front of her. “You have lost weight recently. Milk will help strengthen your body.”
Watching her coffee being taken away and replaced with milk, Nelly maintained a slight smile instead of protesting.
Without a second thought, Thalia nodded. “Okay, I'll go with them first.”
As she continued eating, she instructed, “Boys, hurry up and eat. We'll be going over soon.” Ben nodded.
As for Tony , he simply raised his gaze to give Nelly a look before going back to his food. After the meal, Thalia and the children headed to the shooting room.
Before they left, Tony threw Nelly a glance as if he had something to say. Noticing the look on his face, Nelly queried, “What's on your mind?”
“Nothing much. I just want to remind you to drink less coffee and alcohol!” “I know...” Nelly nodded in acknowledgment.
Just as Tony was deliberating on something, Thalia's voice rang out. “Are we going or not?” “Coming!” Tony answered.
“Men shouldn't dawdle that much.” Just as she spoke, Thalia headed off with Donna in tow. Tony didn't respond to the remark and quickly followed Thalia after giving Nelly a look. Ben , who was beside him, asked curiously, “What's up with you?”
“What do you mean what's up with me?” Tony threw the question back at his brother.
“It's unlike you not to respond. You would usually have a ready retort to whatever Thalia has to say,” Ben teased.
Tony seemed distracted to him.
“What's wrong with you today?” Ben asked again.
It was then that Tony snapped out of his thoughts. “What?”
Ben let out a sigh. “What's wrong with you over the last two days? Why do you look preoccupied?” Tony asked.
“Was I?” Tony denied.
“Don't you think I understand you well enough?” Ben pressed on.
Tony knew that he couldn't get Ben off his case unless he gave the latter something. Pondering for a moment, he explained, “It's nothing much. Daddy just instructed me to keep an eye on Nelly due to her weak health.”
“Did Daddy say that?” Ben asked. “He did. Don't you know about it?”
“When?”
“Some time ago. He wanted us to watch after Nelly .”
Ben 's brows furrowed. “Wasn't that a long time ago?”
“No, it wasn't. He just said it a few days ago. Can't you see that Nelly has lost weight?” Tony spoke as he walked.
When Ben turned around to look, he saw Nelly standing by the door in a light-colored dress. From her tall and slender side profile, it was evident that she had indeed lost weight.
“You're right. She does look thinner,” Ben commented.
“That's why you should keep an eye on her too. Remind her to take something more nutritious instead of drinking coffee all the time,” Tony suggested.
“But coffee and wine are her life!” Ben protested.
“It will take her life if she consumes too much of them,” Tony countered. “Stop exaggerating!”
“Just remember to watch her closely instead of being engrossed in your project,” Tony reminded. Ben nodded in the end. “Fine, I know what I must do.”
“Let's go,” Tony suggested as both of them quickly caught up with Thalia.
Meanwhile, Nelly stood by the door and watched Alpha Kilian , who was still on the phone. She then shifted her gaze upstairs with narrowed eyes.
Without a moment's hesitation, she got up to her feet and walked up to Spencer's lab, where she knocked on the door.
Despite not getting a reply, she pushed the door open and walked right in.
Inside, Spencer was seated at his desk. After throwing him a glance, Nelly took her seat right opposite him.
However, Spencer continued working with his vials without looking up.
“Is the result out already?” Nelly spoke suddenly after observing him for a while. Spencer froze momentarily before continuing with what he was doing.
In spite of his silence, Nelly could tell that it was a tacit affirmative. “Come on; tell me what's wrong?” Nelly asked candidly.
“What do you mean what's wrong? The result isn't out yet. We might still need to wait a day or two,” Spencer answered.
His reply triggered a faint smile on Nelly 's face. “Spencer, you might be able to fool someone else
with those words but not me.”
Faced with Spencer's silence, Nelly took a deep breath. “Both you and Alpha Kilian look out of sorts in the morning. Does he already know?”
The more Spencer refused to speak, the more Nelly was sure of her supposition.
“Is it about the cure?” Nelly asked with a frown. She then mumbled, “If it weren't, both of you wouldn't be reacting this way...”
Staring straight at Spencer, Nelly added, “Spencer, are you really going to let me continue speculating?”
Only then did Spencer stop whatever he was doing and raise his gaze to look at her.
“After knowing each other for so long, can't we just speak candidly, Spencer?” Nelly asked. Spencer steeled himself and looked her in the eyes. “The results are out.”
An indiscernible glint flashed across Nelly 's eyes.
Spencer then took a deep breath. “The vial does hold the antidote...”