You're Out Daddy

Chapter 442

Dave had barely left the room when Miguel approached Anthony and Benjamin.

He smiled at the boys and produced two lollipops. “Here, these are for you!”

He was clearly after something.

Anthony glanced at him knowingly but accepted the lollipop all the same. He unwrapped the sweet and placed it in his mouth.

Benjamin, on the other hand, stared at the offering suspiciously.

“Come on. It's yummy!” Miguel promptly unwrapped the lollipop and stuck it in the boy's mouth.

Benjamin's face scrunched up in displeasure, though he quietly ate the lollipop since it tasted all right.

By then, Miguel had taken a seat beside the boys. He hemmed and hawed before asking, “Hey boys, do you know what Anonymous looks like? Is he handsome? Is he exactly like how the rumors on the web paint him out to be?”

“Rumors? What rumors?”

Miguel elaborated, “Well, everyone says he's cold and cruel and unpleasant. Is that true?”

His words immediately brought a frown to Anthony's face, and the boy demanded, “Cold and cruel and unpleasant? Who said that?”

“Everyone! And based on Anonymous' working style, it's not completely unlikely. I mean, he acts swiftly and mercilessly whenever he performs a hack.”

Benjamin turned to look at his brother, whose brows were knitted tightly in displeasure.

Anthony piped up, “But I heard that Anonymous is super smart, shrewd, talented, and knowledgeable.”

“Really?” Miguel blinked a few times and questioned, “Who told you that?”

Are we even talking about the same person here?

Anthony insisted, “Everyone says so!”

Benjamin tried his best not to laugh.

He's just extolling his own virtues!

Noticing his expression, Anthony elbowed Benjamin hard in the ribs.

Benjamin hastily swallowed his laughter and looked away.

In the meantime, a clueless Miguel scratched his head and muttered, “Really? I've never heard anyone say that. Are you sure we're talking about the same person?”

“Who else could I be talking about? How many hackers out there are called Anonymous?”

After some thought, Miguel agreed with Anthony's argument. “That's true.”

“If you haven't heard of it, that just means you don't know enough!” Then, to back up his statement, Anthony asked, “Didn't you chat with Anonymous before?”

“How do you know?” asked Miguel defensively.

“I know much more than you could ever imagine!” Anthony shot Miguel a cryptic look and continued, “Don't worry. I'll share all these rumors you've heard with Anonymous and get his thoughts on the matter!”

Miguel immediately protested, “Please don't tell him! I was just joking! I swear!”

Anthony sucked his lollipop quietly in response.

Just then, Miguel looked at him and asked, “Could you introduce me to Anonymous? I'd like to know him better.”

With nary a hint of hesitation, Anthony retorted, “Whatever for?”

“I want him to teach me!” Miguel offered shyly.

Baffled, Benjamin sputtered, “Teach you?”

“Of course!” Miguel nodded earnestly and added, “Anonymous has been my idol for the longest time, and I would be honored if he would pass down his knowledge to me. Well, I'm not sure if he's open to the idea of accepting students, so I'd like the two of you to ask him for me.”

“I can't deny that you have good taste!” teased Benjamin.

The sarcasm was lost on Miguel, who declared proudly, “I think so too! Well, will you help me?”

“I don't think you need our help...”

A sharp elbow dug into Benjamin's ribs once more. After collecting himself, Benjamin smiled weakly at Miguel and said, “Perhaps you should ask Anthony. He's closer to Anonymous.”

Miguel's gaze immediately moved to Anthony.

“Well...” Anthony trailed off as he contemplated a suitable reply for his admirer. Just then, Dave re-entered the room.

A lightbulb went off in Anthony's head, and he said, “You're from DX Group, and Anonymous is a member of Darknetz. Don't you know these two groups are enemies?”

Miguel replied, “I'm under Dave, but I'm not an employee of DX Group. Dave mentioned that he would never interfere with our activities outside of work as long as we don't reveal company secrets.”

Stunned, Anthony stared at Dave and asked, “Is that true?”

Miguel also looked to Dave for confirmation.

Dave paused for a moment before nodding at his audience. “That's right. As long as my subordinates perform their jobs properly, I won't restrict their freedom in pursuing other activities!”

“Aren't you worried about losing your subordinates to competitors?”

“If that happens, it merely shows that I didn't do enough to retain the talents around me,” explained Dave confidently.

Impressed, Anthony exclaimed, “Mr. Dave, you're a great boss!”

Dave chuckled in response. “That's not up to me to decide but rather, what my employees think of me!”

Anthony appraised Miguel, who positively exuded youthful energy and motivation.

In hindsight, Dave's lack of restriction was probably a great incentive for retaining talent.