“What is it that you understand?” Tony asked facetiously, staring him in the eye boldly. “What do you think?” Sam asked in return, deeply stirred despite his calm demeanor.
There was no way he would embarrass himself in front of a boy. “How would I know what is on your mind?” Tony replied.
Looking at the proud boy acting maturely, Sam suddenly thought of something which could completely throw Tony off guard.
True enough, Tony was taken aback when Sam suddenly crouched and pinched him on the cheek. “What are you doing? Let me go!” the boy cried out with his eyes wide like saucers, finally putting down the little adult act, yet his demand was not heeded as Sam pinched him even harder.
“Wow, you truly have such soft cheeks!”
“You!” There was nothing the helpless boy could do but glare at Sam .
“Me? Do you have a problem with me? What's wrong with me pinching you? This is what all adults do. Besides, you're the one who tricked me.”
While he spoke, he squeezed Tony 's cheeks more forcefully as if he was enjoying himself. “Hm! As expected of Anonymous; even your cheeks feel different from others!” Sam exclaimed.
Everyone broke out laughing when they saw Sam teasing the boy, for no one had ever dared poke fun at Tony because of his fierce attitude.
At the sight, Ben and Donna were worried that Tony might lash out at Sam , but the truth was there was nothing much Tony could do.
On the other hand, Thalia could not believe that the thought of pinching the boy's cheeks had never once crossed her mind.
Feeling everyone's burning gazes, Tony blushed at the embarrassment and finally pushed Sam 's hands away. “Don't be rude. This is not something you do to random strangers.”
“Random strangers? You're Anonymous, the all-powerful hacker,” Sam replied mockingly.
Tony was almost lost for words, but in the nick of time, he replied wittily, “You sure are good at sucking up to people.”
“Well, it's not like you don't know me. That's how I got you to join Darknetz, isn't it?” Sam replied, completely unfazed, although he knew Tony was trying to be sarcastic.
“That's true.” Tony nodded with his lips pursed.
“You just have to get used to it,” Sam added.
“You speak exactly the same when you're online,” Tony commented as the two looked at each other. “I can't say the same for you.”
“Are you surprised?”
“Oh, yes! I'm so surprised!” Sam assured with a perfunctory smile.
“Any comments about that?” Tony asked provocatively with his brows arched.
Here, Sam stood up and glanced at Thalia, who was behind him. “Bind him up and send him back to Darknetz. We're dissecting this boy to see what he's made of.”
“Just him or all three of them?” Thalia asked, taking a step forward.
Sam looked back at the three children and pondered before pointing at Tony and Ben . “Just these two. Spare the girl. She's too cute for that.”
“Yes, sir,” Thalia stated with a nod.
“Wait!” Donna suddenly interrupted. “Can I ask Tony and Ben a question before you all take them?” “Sure,” Sam uttered.
With Sam 's approval, Donna turned toward her brothers and asked, “What's the PIN to your bank accounts?”
Everyone roared with laughter at the girl's question, and Sam bent over to pat her head. “Are you not scared at all?”
“Yes, I am. I'm scared they won't tell me their PIN even now,” Donna said, gazing at her brothers.
Her reply seemed to have impressed Sam since he complimented, “Good. You have to have a heart of stone to do great things.”
But the girl quickly changed her tone and voiced gently, “No. I'm a soft-hearted person. I'm kind and pretty.”
Once again, her words put a smile on everyone's face, including Tony 's.
Looking at how everyone was having fun together, he felt like Sam 's proactiveness at their first meeting had made things less awkward.
“All right. We should probably get in,” Thalia weighed in as she walked over.
Sam narrowed his eyes as he scrutinized the boy before him. “I've barely warmed the seat, and you're already chasing me away?”
“Don't you have anything better to do?” Tony asked.
“On the contrary, which goes to show just how much I value you! Even with my busy schedule, I was still determined to find the time to meet you,” Sam replied, unashamed of putting his bootlicking skills to use.
A glint of mischief flashed across Tony 's eyes. “So, you're here because you wanted to see me... Now that we've met, is there anything else?”
“Of course! I don't even know where to start!” Sam exclaimed. Ha. The more Tony wants me to leave, the more I refuse to... Something's up with him. I'm sure of it.
“Oh? What is it?”
“Well...” Sam uttered as he raised his eyebrows. “For example, I still have no idea what you're doing here.”
Even though he had meant that as a joke, everyone else was so taken aback that the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward.
Tony quickly shot a glance at Thalia. Since the latter wasn't saying anything, he pondered the question before looking up at Sam determinedly. “I'm here because I have some personal matters to settle.”
“Personal matters? Like what?” Sam asked before dropping his voice to a whisper. “Perhaps I could be of some assistance.”
After a brief moment of hesitation, Tony replied, “I want to build my own team.”
“Huh? What did you say?” Sam muttered in disbelief. Given Tony 's personality, he'd either deny everything or beat around the bush. I can't believe he answered me so readily!
“I said I want to build a team that I can mobilize anytime,” Tony repeated, his voice loud and clear. Still not believing his ears, Sam stared at the boy before turning to Thalia.
I knew Tony came here for a reason, but I never imagined it'd be this.
By then, the atmosphere in the room was undoubtedly tense and frigid.
From the look that Sam gave Thalia, it was apparent she had not told him anything.
“You don't need to look at Thalia,” Tony piped up. “I was the one who tricked her into coming here. She knows nothing about this.”
Upon hearing that, Thalia furrowed her brows. “He didn't trick me. I do know a little about this matter.” “No, you don't. I never told you anything!”
Judging by the interaction between Thalia and Tony , Sam was sure that the two got along very well. However, he also knew Thalia wasn't a dim-witted person who could be easily manipulated.
Despite that, he tamped down his irritation and looked at Tony . “Are you saying you want to leave Darknetz?”
“I don't intend to.”
“But isn't that the whole point of building your own team?” “My team won't pose any threat to Darknetz.”
Sam couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle. “How can I trust you?”
“I don't have a way to prove that now, so you'll have to take my word for it. I always mean what I say,” Tony answered.
“In that case, are you aware of the rules of Darknetz? Anyone who breaks the rules will be expelled!” Tony suddenly fell silent.
Ah. I guess we just can't avoid this grim subject...
With that, the boy pursed his lips and spoke up. “I'm aware of the rules. That's why I won't put you in a spot. I'll quit voluntarily.”
Needless to say, Sam and Thalia were shocked by Tony 's decision. “Tony !” Thalia exclaimed.
Sam might not have understood the situation, but one thing was for sure—he was furious. “Are you serious?”
“Yes!”
“This is our first meeting in person, and here you are, telling me you want to quit?” Sam growled out. He had managed to keep his voice down, but not even that was enough to suppress the anger in his tone.
Tony slowly lowered his gaze. “I don't want to either, but I have no other choice!”
“Do you really not have a choice, or did you plan this from the start?” Sam snapped. At that moment, he could no longer treat Tony like a child.
I've always known he's an ambitious person, so I willingly gave him the company shares to make him one of the core members. Alas, who knew he'd spring this news on me? I bet he's leaving because he isn't satisfied with the status quo. He wants to run his own show!
Having realized how serious things had gotten, Thalia quickly interjected, “Boss, Tony has his reasons!”
“Reasons? What reasons?”
Thalia, however, was stumped. Oh, dear. How am I supposed to broach the subject of Alpha Kilian Morris ? That'd be an invasion of Tony 's privacy! Besides, the information might also ruin Tony and Sam 's relationship. I'd better watch what I say...
“You say it, Tony ,” she mumbled as she turned to the boy.