Chapter 170: Visiting Mr. Thorne IX

Words : 1200 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

Chapter 170: Visiting Mr. Thorne IX The twins avoided their mother’s gaze, choosing instead to focus on Old Mr. Thorne, who looked completely shocked at the term these children had just used for him. The colorful innocence of youth seemed to envelop the room, drowning out the tension that had previously hung in the air. Athena felt the heat creep into her palms, making them sweaty and clammy, as Florence gently pried her hand free from hers and stood up. The older woman walked over to the long sofa where her husband sat with the children, and took a seat to the left of Nathaniel, who turned then, and gazed up at her with his bright, puppy-like blue eyes. But by the sight of her children’s affection, Athena felt both confusion and immobility wash over her. What were they playing at? Yet the twins, having heard the tales about the old couple, had decided, quite reasonably in their childlike minds, that becoming the grandchildren of Old Mr. Thorne and his wife might serve a dual purpose: bringing joy to the Thorne family while also earning themselves easier access to sweets. Indeed, for days now, their mother had put a firm limit on their sugar intake, replacing treats with bland vegetables, and had enlisted Aunt Gianna in this torturous endeavor. "Nathaniel, Kathleen, can you say that again?" Florence broke the spell of shock that had engulfed the old couple. The twins exchanged amused glances, their little faces bursting with delight as they repeated their earlier words with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Grandpa sure looks like a youthful man!" Tears sprang to Florence’s eyes as the words melted from the children’s lips. "What about me?" She asked, patting her chest slowly, her expression focused solely on the adorable children. "Grandma looks youthful too!" They chimed in, their voices light and full of laughter, and just like that, Florence cried out in happiness. She embraced Nathaniel first, who was the closest, and Kathleen quickly joined the delightful tableau. It took Old Mr. Thorne a moment to emerge from his shock. When he finally did, he looked from his sobbing wife to a stupefied Athena, who sighed in resignation, fully recognizing that the situation was spiraling out of her hands. "Are you okay being called our daughter, Athena? Because it would be my immense pleasure," He ventured, his eyes glistening with hope after sharing such affection with the children. The four pairs of young and old eyes fixed on Athena expectantly, with the twins giving her their best puppy-dog eyes, silently pleading for her to embrace their plans. Athena sighed again, rising to her feet as she fought back her own tears. This moment felt monumental, as if she were about to be woven into a loving family tapestry that she had long been denied, aside from her late mother. For she believed Old Mr. Thorne would be a great father figure to the children, given how he had shown moral support and friendship to her over the past month. Still, it was hard to fathom how quickly everything had come together. Gianna would be ecstatic! The thought made her hands tremble slightly as they rested on her thighs. "You don’t have to sign any letter... I just—" "It’s okay, dear friend. Although you have to bear with me not calling you ’Dad’ for now," Athena interjected, causing laughter to bubble from Old Mr. Thorne, even as tears pooled in his eyes. He stood up, hurriedly crossing over to Athena, who was already walking towards him. They met in a warm hug. Florence and the twins joined the hug, their laughter mingling in a chaotic symphony of joyful noise. "This is the best time of my life since Emily’s death," Florence said thereafter, his voice breaking slightly with emotion. "I can feel her presence right now. Can you, Edward?" Old Mr. Thorne looked at his wife, who was still recovering from her emotional outburst, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He nodded, the disbelief in his expression unmistakable. He had only taken an interest in Athena because she seemed genuine and bore a striking resemblance to his late daughter. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that she might one day fill the void left by Emily’s absence and become a daughter to him. "Thank you, Athena..." He muttered repeatedly, patting her back fondly as if he were trying to anchor himself to this newfound happiness. But Athena’s mind was already in motion, pulling her away from the euphoric moment they were all sharing. "There is a condition, however, if we are to continue to be affiliated with you in this manner," She said, her tone shifting to one of earnestness. "If there’s going to be a signing of papers at all..." Old Mr. Thorne’s face lit up at the mention of papers, and he eagerly disengaged from the hug he had shared with the children, his hands itching to take care of any formalities. "Sure, say anything. I will do it." Athena nodded and took a deep breath. "Don’t include us in your inheritance, in your will. Don’t give us any of your shares." A frown masked Old Mr. Thorne’s face, as had Florence’s. "Why? How can I be a grandfather if I don’t leave everything to my child and grandchildren?" Athena pinched the bridge of her nose, mentally chastising herself for having to explain this. But it was important to bring it up now rather than later. "What about Cedric and his family?" She asked, echoing her earlier thoughts, folding her arms across her chest. "I can’t afford to find myself and the children in the middle of a power tussle. I suspect they were behind Emily’s death, your extended family, I mean. No offense." "None taken," muttered Old Mr. Thorne, glancing at his wife, who had fallen silent in thought. "But I can take care of them," He insisted, his voice firm with determination. "Surely, you and the twins will be safe." Athena shook her head, an unwavering refusal surging through her. The safety of her children was her top priority, and she was weary of constantly fighting for their well-being. "I’m not taking that, old friend. It’s either that or nothing." Florence opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. How could she not leave anything for the kids? The question hung in the air like a heavy weight. "Okay then," Old Mr. Thorne finally spoke, startling her. "I won’t include y’all in the family business." After twenty minutes passed, with the atmosphere transformed, combining both resolution and the echoes of newfound joy, Athena was prepared to leave with the twins, having promised to return soon. Old Mr. Thorne accompanied them to the door alongside his wife, who was still engaged in playful banter with the children. "I finally got the investigation on the hospital incident," He said, watching his wife interact with Nathaniel and Kathleen. "Both the doctor and the lab scientists seem to be innocent. Maybe you can involve your own hackers. You know they are on another level." "Sure," Athena replied, though internally she had no intention of involving her children in this matter again.

Chapter 170: Visiting Mr. Thorne IX

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