Chapter 360 He Has No Need to Live in This World

Chapter 360 He Has No Need to Live in This World

Stephen saw through Anthony's thoughts and curled his lips slightly. "A man who wants to achieve great things shouldn't get hung up on romance. You and that woman called Arabella—it's impossible now. Even if you return to the country in two years, you'll have to live under a false identity. You won't be able to see her again, unless you want to die."

Anthony pressed his lips together, then suddenly looked at him. "Those who achieve great things don't get hung up on romance—does that include you too?"

Stephen raised his eyebrows. "Me? What about me?"

"My mom, and us," Anthony said. "You abandoned your wife and children. You left for twenty years. Since you didn't care whether we lived or died back then, why are you helping us now? You must have had other children over these years, right? Rachel and I shouldn't even matter to you."

Stephen paused, took another drag of his cigarette, and smiled. "That's actually why I came to see you both today. Anthony, I love freedom by nature. Marriage, a wife, and children—they were my shackles. After I left you all, I did very well. I built a much bigger business. But even though I've had countless women around me, I never had any more children."

He sighed. "Now that I'm older, I suddenly find myself craving family ties. Things I used to look down on have become something I crave. I'm thinking, once this matter is settled, you and Rachel can take over my current company. The three of us will live together, and I'll make up for the fatherly love you missed."

Anthony nodded. "Sounds good."

Stephen seemed skeptical. "You accept it?"

Anthony smiled. "What choice do I have? The way Rachel and I are now, besides you, who else can help us get back on our feet?"

Stephen was pleased with his sensibility. "In that case, just stay here for now. In two years, I'll definitely arrange new identities for you."

Having said that, he stubbed out his cigarette on the table, stood up, and said, "I'll be staying at the estate villa next door during this time. It's just one wall away from here. I'll have someone install a door in the wall to make it easier for us to visit each other."

He knew his appearance and identity must have been a huge shock to the siblings, so he kindly took his leave, giving them time to process everything.

After all, what he wanted were two devoted children, not enemies who still harbored resentment toward him.

After Stephen left, Anthony remained standing there with a dark expression, not moving for a long time.

Rachel spoke up tentatively, "Anthony, are we really going to... do as he says?"

Disappeared for twenty years, never part of their lives, and now suddenly appearing, wanting to harvest their affection.

She really couldn't bring herself to love such a father.

As she spoke, Anthony slowly broke into a smile and said word by word, "Rachel, did you hear what he just said?"

"The three of us will live together, and he'll make up for the fatherly love we missed."

Anthony's eyes were full of mockery. "From the moment he appeared until he left, he didn't mention Mother's name once. He knows perfectly well that Mother is in prison now, that her days are numbered."

"Make up for the fatherly love we missed—ha! From his very first words, he positioned us as assets. What does he take us for? When he didn't need us, he just tossed us aside. Now that he's old and realizes he has no heir, he finally remembers he has a son and daughter?"

He said darkly, "A person like that - I really don't know what reason he has to keep living in this world."

Rachel was frightened by Anthony's appearance and asked carefully, "But didn't you just agree to it?"

Anthony took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

"Yes, I agreed, because we have no other choice. Right now we can only rely on him. We need to keep him placated for now."

"But Rachel, you must remember—this man is our enemy. He doesn't deserve to be a husband, doesn't deserve to be a father, and doesn't even deserve to be human."

Rachel nodded uneasily.

She wasn't even born when Stephen left, so she had no memory of him. Now that Stephen had appeared, her joy outweighed her hatred.

But Anthony was different. When Stephen left, Anthony was old enough to remember. He clearly remembered how Stephen had mistreated his mother, mistreated him. He clearly remembered how, after Stephen left, his mother gradually became an obsessive and tyrannical madwoman.

He hated Stephen, more than Stephen could ever imagine.

But right now he needed Stephen's power. At the very least, he needed to use Stephen to go back and take Arabella back.

Even if she was carrying Alexander's child, even if she was tainted, he would take her back. The person who belonged to him—no one could take her away.

A crazed light flickered in Anthony's eyes.

After Arabella returned to the country, the next day she received news from Alexander saying they'd found a lead on Philip's disappearance, but they couldn't bring him back yet. They could only confirm that Philip was safe.

Arabella didn't know what considerations led Alexander to tell her this result. Alexander only said the details would have to wait until he returned.

Alexander still needed two more days to finish handling things there. During those two days, Arabella was somewhat distracted.

She kept making mistakes at work, and even though she had connections, she was still called in for a talk by her supervisor.

Faye didn't know what Arabella was going through, but she could tell something was wrong. Near the end of the workday, she invited Arabella to join her at a party.

"It's Jason's birthday today. I've prepared a surprise for him and invited some friends and family. It's at a club near the office. Arabella, why don't you come too?"

Arabella wanted to go and have some fun, but thinking about her current state, she decided not to bring everyone down. People were there to celebrate happily—her long face would just kill the mood.

So she had to decline Faye's kind offer. "I need to go home and help my kid with homework. You all have fun."

Faye nodded in disappointment.

When Arabella got home from work, Becky was practicing piano. This child never needed her to worry about anything. Since she had nothing to do today, she sat on the nearby sofa, chin in hand, listening to her play.

Becky played simple, cheerful pieces. Arabella let herself relax, feeling the heaviness in her heart gradually lift with the upbeat melodies.

Only she knew about Philip's situation—she hadn't even dared tell Daisy.

With Alexander not around, keeping all this bottled up inside for so long, it was hard not to affect her mood.

When Becky finished the piece, she turned around with a little pride, seeking praise. "Ms. Bourbon, I played pretty well, didn't I?"