Chapter 199
The Kennedy Manor, Elegant Mountain Estate.
Nathan, Ryan, and Nick sat at the dining table, looking very much alike, except Nick's face was slightly rounder.
At that moment, Nick was looking at the cold Nathan and the serious Ryan.
Nathan had been working overtime but rushed home after receiving a call from the servant saying that Ryan was refusing to eat. Earlier that morning, he had seen Nick and Caroline walking out of the South Court No.1 Hotel together, which had instantly ruined his mood. He felt trapped in a scheme designed by Caroline, unable to extricate himself.
He thought he could take the relationship seriously, but Caroline didn't care at all, casually entering and leaving hotels with other men. What made it worse was that the other man was his own younger brother. This made him feel both humiliated and disgusted.
Thus, this day became his worst day. At this moment, Ryan was using a hunger strike to protest, and Nathan hadn't shown him a pleasant face since he walked in.
Coincidentally, Ryan was also in a bad mood and had no intention of showing Nathan any friendliness. If two adults couldn't fully control their emotions, how could a child like Ryan?
So Nathan and Ryan stood in silent opposition, their expressions as cold as could be. They had been at a stalemate for ten minutes, with no one speaking.
Sophie looked at the delicious food on the table, then at Ryan, and then at Nathan. She quietly swallowed; she was really hungry.
"Ryan, I always thought you were a sensible child. I didn't expect you to use such a childish method," Nathan said in an adult tone.
"I'm also very disappointed," five-year-old Ryan said with surprising conviction.
Even someone as tough as Nathan was taken aback.
"Why are you disappointed?" Nathan adjusted his strategy, softened his tone, and tried to ease the confrontational atmosphere.
"Then why are you disappointed?" Ryan retorted without backing down.
Nathan's heart sank. Was he really going to be stumped by a child? Handling someone like Ryan, who couldn't be easily provoked, required a different approach. The usual tactics for dealing with children clearly weren't working. Nathan was genuinely at a loss.
"I'm disappointed that you're not eating," Nathan answered reluctantly.
"I'm not eating because you don't understand why I'm not eating," Ryan said coldly.
Nathan was completely stunned. Was such a retort really coming from a five-year-old?
Such a calm yet powerful comeback was truly shocking.
Sophie looked back and forth between the two with her gem-like eyes. Although she knew they were in a standoff, she was confused by their conversation.
"Can we eat first?" she timidly suggested.
"You go ahead and eat," Nathan and Ryan responded simultaneously.
At least they both agreed that Sophie shouldn't go hungry.
Sophie picked up her small bowl and took a few bites, but seeing the tense atmosphere between Ryan and Nathan, she lost her appetite and sighed helplessly, putting down her fork.
"You two are so grown up, yet you're arguing like children. It's really disappointing," Sophie sighed again.
Nathan and Ryan were both startled. Even she was starting to feel disappointed?
"If there's something to say, say it nicely. Don't keep a straight face," she mustered the courage to continue.
Since no one objected, she suddenly became spirited. Usually a chatterbox, her previous silence had been stifling.
"Actually, Ryan has a reason for not eating. It's because he misses Mom. I miss her too," Sophie explained.
Neither of them spoke. The deadlock was broken by Sophie.
"If there's a problem, just talk it out!" Sophie suggested.
Nathan cleared his throat. "Sophie is right. Let's talk after we eat."
With her intervention, Nathan seized the opportunity to speak.
Continuing to stand off with a child made Nathan feel embarrassed. Worse, he couldn't solve the problem if it continued. He might as well get Ryan to eat first.
"I'm not eating." Nathan's plan didn't work; Ryan still refused to compromise.
"Then what do you want?" His temper was rising.
"I want to see Mom," Ryan said directly.
"Your mom is filming and can't make time right now," Nathan explained.
"She used to come see us even when she was filming," Ryan said coldly.
It turned out that Ryan, usually quiet, was logical and forceful when he got serious.
Nathan was at a loss for words.
The scene fell silent again. Ryan's attitude was clear: if he didn't see his mom, he wouldn't eat, and no one could persuade him!
Nathan had countless strategies for dealing with adults, and firm pressure usually solved problems. However, these tactics were completely ineffective against the stubborn Ryan.
"Eat first, and I'll take you to see your mom afterward," he had to compromise.
Although compromising made him feel very embarrassed, there was no other way.
"I want to eat with Mom," Ryan insisted.
"Ryan, don't go too far!" Nathan was about to lose his temper.
Ryan looked at him coldly, neither talking back nor compromising.
Seeing the atmosphere grow tenser, Sophie didn't dare to say more, lowering her head and sneaking glances at the two men.
Finally, Nathan stood up and stormed out.
At this time, Sarah was helping Caroline pack her things in the neighborhood, preparing to move the next day. The phone rang; it was Caroline's phone.
"Carol, answer the phone."
Caroline was in the shower and didn't hear it.
Sarah answered the phone, "Hello, who is this?"
"Where are you?" Nathan asked.
"You're looking for Ms. Rockefeller, right? She's in the shower and can't hear. Can I take a message?"
Sarah could tell it was a man from the voice and couldn't help but get excited. How could a star agent not have a keen sense for gossip?
"I'm Nathan."
Sarah almost dropped the phone.
"Mr. Nathan Kennedy?" she stammered excitedly, "Hold on, I'll tell her to call you back."
Nathan replied coldly, "Tell her to call me back," and then hung up.
Sarah felt a wave of disappointment. The rare opportunity to speak directly with Nathan had ended just like that.
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