CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 401: I’D GET JEALOUS

"I still haven’t figured out what kind of grudge my dad had with Conrad Sterling back then. Plus, the Sterling Group’s assets are quite substantial, I have to think about the two kids."

Thinking of this, Anna Thornton suddenly recalled that Smith’s intelligence organization had the most complete information network in the world.

Could he possibly know some insider information?

Actually, it wasn’t a sudden thought; since Conrad Sterling wouldn’t talk, Anna Thornton had been intentionally trying to find out more on her own.

However, she wasn’t keen on actively provoking this pervert.

Since Smith was right in front of her today, Anna Thornton decided to regard him with a questioning gaze.

Let’s see if he might reveal anything while in a decent mood.

Facing Anna Thornton’s eyes, Smith smiled mysteriously: "Killing Conrad Sterling is definitely the wisest decision! Trust me, dear!"

Anna Thornton secretly rolled her eyes: "..."

I don’t believe a word you say!

"No need to worry about old grudges, I can help you stage the scene as an accident after the killing. Even if you want to take control of the Sterling Group as inheritance, it’s not impossible!"

Seeing Smith so proactive, Anna Thornton couldn’t help but be wary: "This is my own business, why are you getting involved?"

"Can’t you see?" Smith raised an eyebrow at Anna Thornton, ambition unabashed in his blue eyes.

He’s clearly interested in the Sterling Group.

Although the Smith family is powerful abroad, the more power and influence someone has, the greedier they often become.

The Sterling Group’s assets are not to be underestimated by anyone, of course he’s interested in meddling.

And Smith has always wanted to further infiltrate his influence into Cathayan; he personally appreciates Cathayan culture and has been watching all these years.

He already knew that President Sterling was in the limelight; regardless of Anna Thornton’s presence, Smith would target Conrad Sterling as his first objective to penetrate Cathayan.

However, Anna Thornton had seen Smith’s methods firsthand before; being targeted by him could lead to a bloody storm...

"Your expression seems to suggest you don’t want me to interfere?"

Smith asked Anna Thornton, fingers rubbing the thick, stubby cigar, eyes flashing with killing intent, "Feeling sorry for him?"

"Who? Conrad Sterling?"

Anna Thornton laughed lightly, only then did the sharp brilliance in Smith’s blue eyes soften.

"Hopefully not! If my little pet gets too close to other men, I’d get jealous!"

Anna Thornton: "..."

Damn it, Anna really wanted to take off her eight-centimeter high heels and smack Smith, that bastard, across the face.

When did he ever take care of her?

Even though back then Anna Thornton had no way out and once used his name for protection, how did she end up mysteriously with a little pet title that won’t go away?

He’s just good at threatening people, even chasing here to scare her with all sorts of antics!

And bringing her to this desolate mountain with children, what’s his intention?

Is he planning murder and dumping bodies?!!

Anna Thornton was quite frantic with emotions, especially seeing Smith leisurely smoking, with no intention of letting her and her kids go.

She decided to strike first and launched an attack on the man.

Anna Thornton had learned about gunmanship and basic defense techniques while abroad.

In addition, after returning home, Conrad Sterling had also taught her, and through daily intellectual battles with the man, her skills had actually improved quite a bit.

However, she was no match for a true expert.

Anna Thornton didn’t have a chance to touch Smith, instead hearing the crunch of her arm — the sound of a dislocation.

"Hiss..."

Immediately, a cold, black gun muzzle looped around from behind and pressed against her temple.

...

"Daddy~"

"Little thing, let’s discuss something with your godfather!"

Smith suddenly tugged on Pop seriously, lifting the little guy to shoulder height with him: "From now on, don’t call me daddy!"

Pop shrank his neck, blinking his large Cardan eyes, bewildered and looking at him.

What should he call him if not daddy?

"How do you call your real dad? From now on, call me the same way!"

Your real dad?

This sounded strange, with the roles reversed.

But Pop actually understood; he was referring to Conrad Sterling.

"My daddy, huh?"

Anna Thornton had just had her arm set by Bobby.

Lola stayed by her mother’s side, cheeks puffed up, still red with anger, gritting teeth and glaring, like an enraged little puppy ready to pounce and bite off a piece of the enemy.

Fortunately, Anna Thornton caught and consoled Lola in her arms: "Mommy’s fine! Mommy and uncle have known each other for quite a while, just kidding around!"

Anna gently soothed Lola, then heard Smith trying to get Pop to call him daddy perversely.

The audacity was just too much!

When Smith wanted to be Pop’s godfather, it was an identity he whimsically declared himself.

But no matter how hard he tried this time, Pop refused to call him Dad.

Or Dada...

Not even Godfather would do. He could only be called ’Goddada~’.

Smith had little patience; his face fell after a few attempts at teaching.

He turned back to Anna Thornton and asked, "Why hasn’t anyone corrected your little one’s pronunciation that’s skewed all the way to the Atlantic Ocean yet?"

Smith was still a bit bothered by Pop’s way of addressing him, calling him Goddada, sounding quite strange.

But ever since Pop had learned to speak at a little over one year old, his baby voice was extremely cute.

Smith didn’t feel he was being overly demanding; all children born into their family undergo strict genetic screening. Including himself, possessing remarkable intelligence and language talent.

Pop, who was over three, still couldn’t speak properly and clearly, which, if spread around, would cost him as the godfather some face.

Thinking this, he observed that Anna Thornton didn’t seem dim-witted, so how could she produce such a silly little one?

It must be due to poor genes from that surname Sterling!

However, Smith saw the other little one named Lola, who was obviously very smart.

When Bobby brought them here, that little rascal’s eyes were darting around, seemingly hostile towards him, so clever that he felt the urge to gouge them out.

If Anna Thornton weren’t there watching, Smith actually wanted to ’play’ with Lola.

This kid must look like his dad, right?

Ha, just one look and you want to bully him!

Seeing Smith’s creepy expression directed at Lola, whose motives were unknown, Anna Thornton immediately sat forward to shield the child behind her.

Smith curled his lips, held onto Pop who was in his grip, and asked the demonic question that all kids feared: "Little one, do you like Mommy or Goddad more?"

"Goddada~"

Smith was very pleased with this answer, and hoisted the little guy up onto his shoulder.

Though he verbally disliked Pop calling him a little thing, in his heart he was actually fond of him.

Just seeing the little guy sitting on his shoulder, riding like a horse, his short little carrot legs swaying happily, laughing heartily was proof; this definitely wasn’t the first time.

Bobby had followed Smith for so many years and saw only one living person who could ride on the boss’s shoulders.

Moreover, Bobby knew well that this was all for Miss Thornton’s sake.

After all, the boss’s former pet cat never dared to pee on his bed.

But after meeting Anna Thornton, Pop who was just over one year old at the time did pee on Smith’s neck more than once.

And yet, he grew chubby and healthy under his care to over three years old!

Smith bounced the little thing on his shoulders, suddenly lamenting, "When daughters grow up and go out, it makes one uneasy! Pop, why don’t you help convince Mommy to get rid of your real dad, and let Goddad take you all abroad?"

Pop looked bewildered: "..."

Lola also heard this and eyed Smith with hostility. He wasn’t siding with Conrad Sterling; Lola just thought this person was very bad!

No doubt, bad!

And blatantly bad!

Smith, openly speaking such words in front of the kids, was something Anna Thornton couldn’t tolerate: "What’s wrong with you? Don’t drag us down with your perversion; let Bobby call a doctor for you!"

It was getting late, and Anna Thornton had to take Lola and Pop back.

However, the family hadn’t yet exited the hall when they found the estate thoroughly locked down from inside out.

Smith’s visit to Cathayan this time had a secret mission, and he brought along quite a few subordinates.

Even if it were just Bobby alone, Anna Thornton couldn’t handle it.

It seemed indeed they couldn’t easily leave unharmed today!

Anna Thornton held a child in each hand, turned to face the man, her aura not subdued by him: "Yes, I did call you a pervert! Three years ago, we had a verbal agreement, and if you’ve got what it takes, direct it all at me!"

If anyone else dared to say this to the boss, Bobby would have already drawn his gun.

But hearing it from Anna Thornton’s mouth, he didn’t move!

Smith being called a pervert straight to his face by a woman, yet he didn’t get angry, instead he laughed.

Didn’t he say it already? He just liked watching Anna Thornton get riled up, jumping up to snap at people.

Heard this woman lately in the country was living smoothly, and nobody dared to mess with her anymore, so he had to do it himself. Gripping her two most treasured little things was like holding a cat’s tail, and with a slight tug, she’d jump upright.

But behind his smile was a hint of danger.

His pet, if offended, then naturally the owner should bear the consequence.

But as a perverse individual described as depraved by Anna Thornton, Smith had the intention to cause trouble, so of course, he couldn’t just let them off so easily.

After all, his text to Anna Thornton declared it to be a kidnapping!

Most kidnappings don’t end without a grim outcome!

Either the ticket gets torn or the hostage rescue is successful, inevitably involving bloodshed, sacrifices, or even casualties.

Reluctant to harm his own pet, harming the two little things would upset his pet, Smith had only one choice left.

"Have you heard the story of Hero Dad?" Smith’s tone carried a hunter’s excitement, "Anna, I’m quite interested in meeting your man!"

Actually, he wasn’t a hunter, he preferred to describe himself as a beast!

After all, being perverse, his mindset needed to be distinguished from ordinary people. He just loved the thrill of tearing into flesh!

Plus, Smith had a premonition that Conrad Sterling’s fighting instinct wouldn’t disappoint him!