You're Out, Daddy novel (Natasha and Kenneth)

Spencer was taken aback by the sight of Anthony's tear-filled eyes.

Ever since I got to know Anthony, he has always carried himself like a little adult. He's been brave, strategic, smart, and quick-witted. No matter how difficult the situation, I've never seen him frown, but now... At this moment, Anthony simply resembled a child, mirroring the worry and fear of someone about to lose their dearest person.

A sense of bitterness welled up within Spencer's heart.

He also felt a twinge of shame for his selfishness, all for the sake of that one pill.

Taking a deep breath, Spencer averted his gaze.

Tears gathered in Anthony's eyes as he gazed at Spencer, his emotions hard to rein in. "All I want is an answer," he said. "Will Nat ever get better?"

"I don't know," Spencer responded, his eyes meeting Anthony's. "I really don't."

"Aren't you known as a miracle doctor? Your skills are renowned. Can't you cure any kind of poison? Why can't you give me a clear answer?" Anthony's voice was filled with anxiety and desperation.

Spencer raised his gaze to meet Anthony's, his eyes reflecting the bitterness and sorrow he felt. "I've never thought of myself in such high terms; those are words spoken by others..."

"So, are you refuting that now? Are you giving up?"

"No!" Spencer locked his gaze onto Anthony's, his expression determined. "I haven't given up, and I won't! My life is dedicated to Nat. As long as she's not well, I won't rest. If anything were to happen to her... I'm prepared to sacrifice my own life!" He spoke with unwavering determination.

As the words reached his ears, Anthony's initial anger began to subside, replaced by a furrowed brow and confusion.

He couldn't quite comprehend why Spencer would express his dedication in such an extreme manner. Even if the man was close friends with Natasha, such a statement seemed excessively intense...

The more he thought about it, the more Anthony felt that these words were ambiguous. No matter how close friends they were, it seemed a bit too much for Spencer to go to such lengths. Anthony furrowed his brows as he gazed at the man. "Spencer, you..."

Spencer was still lost in his own thoughts, a sense of helpless agony weighing him down. Sensing Anthony's gaze, he paused for a moment before asking, "What about me?" After a moment of contemplation, Anthony drew in a deep breath. He hesitated for a while, his lips pursing before he finally spoke, "Spencer, do you... like Nat?" Spencer was stunned.

As he gazed at Anthony, it took him a moment to fully comprehend the boy's words.

In that instant, Anthony fixed his gaze on Spencer and said, "Spencer, I appreciate how much you care about Nat, but... what about Thalia? How does she fit into this?"

The abrupt shift in the conversation caught Spencer off guard. He squinted his eyes and asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Isn't that so?" Anthony asked.

"Did I say something that gave you the wrong idea?" Spencer responded.

"Didn't you mention that you would give your life if anything happened to Nat?"

In response, Spencer spoke. "I meant that I'm willing to give everything I have, my dedication, my efforts, to save her. I owe her that much, and I won't give up until she's better, even if it means dedicating my entire life to it!"

Upon hearing this, Anthony finally breathed a sigh of relief. With this clarification, he didn't have much to worry about. However, a tinge of melancholy still lingered in his heart. "But can Natasha's body endure that wait?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Spencer.

Spencer's eyes narrowed slightly as he focused on Anthony, his voice low and determined. "While I'm not certain about detoxifying Natasha at the moment, I can still ensure her vital signs remain stable. But rest assured, I won't stop until I find a way to obtain the antidote. If all else fails, I'll personally infiltrate the Vermillion Base and extract information about the antidote. In essence, I'll use every resource at my disposal and give my all to this endeavor."

As Spencer spoke with such determination, Anthony's eyes shifted with a mixture of emotions, reflecting both hope and uncertainty. He understood that if anyone could find a solution in this world, it was likely Spencer.

While Spencer remained modest, his reputation was noteworthy. He had successfully treated numerous complex ailments, and people were willing to pay a substantial sum for his medical expertise. Therefore, Spencer was Anthony's only hope.

Prior to this, he had been grappling with feelings of distress and inner turmoil. However, Spencer's words had a reassuring effect on him. Knowing that Spencer believed in the possibility of a solution gave him renewed hope and resolve.

With these thoughts in mind, the heart that had plummeted seemed to regain some of its footing. "Spencer, remember, these are your words. I'll hold onto them," Anthony declared, his gaze fixed on the man as he emphasized each word.

His dark eyes filled with unyielding determination, Spencer asserted, "I always stand by my promises."

Anthony rallied his resolve and gazed at Spencer. "Okay, I trust you. But don't think you'll have to infiltrate Vermillion Base alone. There must be alternative ways to obtain that information. For now, just focus on keeping Nat stable, keeping her alive... That's my only request," Anthony's voice quivered slightly as he spoke, expressing his utmost concern. This was the bare minimum he hoped for. Keeping Natasha alive was all that mattered.

Spencer understood the gravity of the situation and met Anthony's gaze, affirming, "I give you my word."

Anthony took a deep breath, his mood lightening after their conversation. "Okay," he said, "you focus on finding the antidote, and I'll brainstorm other solutions as well."

As the boy got to his feet, Spencer asked him, "What other solutions do you have in mind?"

Anthony turned around and faced Spencer. "As you said, if I have to resort to force, I'll get the boss out. I'll hold a gun to his head, and he won't have a choice but to talk," Anthony asserted.

"You alone?"

"I'm definitely not naive enough to hand myself over willingly," Anthony murmured. Nevertheless, even if it required mobilizing every resource from the dark web, he would fight relentlessly! "So you...."

"Don't worry about these things. I'll find a solution," Anthony stated before getting up and leaving.

All of a sudden, Spencer suggested, "Your dad and Dave have also been dedicating time to this recently. If possible, you might want to consult with them."

Anthony paused briefly, then nodded in acknowledgment. "All right, I'll do that," he replied. Afterward, he made his way to the exit.

However, as he reached the door, a thought struck him. He turned back to face the man in the room. "Oh, by the way, I have another question."

"What is it?"

"Thalia and my mom both got poisoned, but why does Thalia appear to be okay while my mom..." Anthony's voice trailed off, the unspoken question hanging heavy in the air. Nonetheless, the meaning of his words was clear.

Spencer paused for a moment, his gaze meeting Anthony's with a touch of guilt in his eyes.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Anthony asked.

Spencer's lips moved hesitantly, and for a moment, he seemed lost for words. The silence that followed only deepened Anthony's sense that something was off.

In the days that had passed, Thalia had been by his side, seemingly healthy and active. Anthony had been concerned about her condition, fearing a relapse, yet she appeared completely fine as if nothing had happened. He had wanted to inquire about this, but the right moment never presented itself. As he thought about it, he realized it was time to bring up this matter.

Observing Spencer's expression, Anthony could see the deep conflict within him, as if he was struggling to find the right words.