Chapter 572
He felt a little let down when he realized Charlotte wasn’t there.
“Kenneth told me you went through a lot for her,” Robert said, sounding genuinely apologetic. “I really don’t know how to thank you.”
Upstairs, Kenneth’s face changed.
“Kenneth is my friend. Whatever happens with the Gates family, it’s my business too,” Anthony said, smiling calmly. “If there’s ever anything I can do, treat me like family and just ask.”
Roger could only think, Seriously?
Kenneth’s mind spat out, Unbelievable.
Charlotte, watching, thought, He really knows how to win people over.
Robert couldn’t help but laugh, his mood instantly lighter. He genuinely liked Anthony—so polite, so respectful. For once, Kenneth had actually made a good decision.
“Kevin, Samantha.” Anthony greeted them too, dipping his head respectfully.
“Anthony, nice to meet you,” Kevin said, giving his hand a firm shake.
“Welcome, Anthony,” Samantha offered, nodding. But when her eyes landed on the mountain of gifts, confusion flickered in her eyes.
Noticing her expression, Anthony quickly explained, “It’s my first visit. Just a little something to show my respect.”
Samantha was speechless. Clearly, his idea of “a little something” was a bit off.
“You’re too kind, Anthony,” she said with a polite smile. “But these gifts are far too expensive. We can’t accept them.”
Robert nodded, agreeing. Anthony was really being too generous.
“Mom, Anthony went through all this trouble. Let’s just accept it,” Kenneth chimed in, his tone playful as the three of them made their way into
the living room He figured it
wouldn’t hurt for Anthony to splurge a bit.
“Don’t say that,” Robert scolded lightly, pulling Charlotte close. He lowered his voice. “Anthony, don’t pay him any mind. Kenneth’s been a bit clueless since he was a kid.”
“Not at all,” Anthony replied, giving a soft, refined smile. But as he spoke, his eyes couldn’t help wandering to Charlotte, his gaze suddenly deep and intense.
“I’m not wrong though Kenneth muttered under his breath. If Anthony made such a big deal out of just meeting, who knew what he’de do when it was time for a wedding? He wouldn’t be surprised if Anthony tried to move half of Cabinda here.
Seeing Anthony’s eyes on Charlotte and Charlotte staying quiet, Robert paused, thinking for a moment.
Then he turned to her and gently reminded, “Lottie, by family tradition, you should call Anthony ‘Uncle.””
Charlotte went still.
Anthony’s smile faltered for a second.
Uncle?
Kenneth almost burst out laughing.
Charlotte glanced at Anthony’s slightly stiff expression, then smiled and said each syllable clearly, “Uncle.”
That word, coming from her, usually
carried a different, more playful
meaning in private. But in front of
her family, it felt like a punch. For a
split second, Anthony actually
thought he might be the worst
person alive.
Anthony’s dark eyes narrowed, his fingers curling a bit tighter, and a sly smile formed on his lips. “Lottie.”
Roger and Kenneth exchanged glances. With what they knew, this exchange sounded way more like flirting than anything else.