Chapter 1612: We Can’t Protect Him Forever

Frederick Taylor reached out and pulled Ava down to sit beside him. When he looked at her, his expression softened considerably, "I asked Anthony and Alice to return to establish a branch, not..."

"You have so many people in your company, why must you send our boy? He’s just come back." Ava looked at her husband with a grievance-filled expression.

Before Frederick could speak, Anthony, who was sitting nearby, had already spoken up: "Mom! I’m going back with Alice to handle proper business, not on some risky venture. Please don’t worry about me, I’ll frequently return to see you."

He would rather return home with Alice than stay here and watch his parents being affectionate; at home, he felt like the extra person, and given how much his father disliked him, it was no wonder he was sent to a boarding school since childhood.

He wasn’t allowed to stay home on weekends either; he had to go for specialist training. Over the years, his time at home had been quite limited.

"Mom can’t bear to part with you."

Ava got up and sat down beside Anthony, reaching out to hold his hand tightly, as if afraid he’d suddenly vanish if she loosened her grip.

Anthony wished he could act coy in his mother’s embrace like other daughters, but his boyish attire stopped him; he constantly had to be vigilant, unable to express gestures typically associated with a girl.

"Mom! I’ll take good care of myself, moreover Alice and the others are there too, they won’t leave me unattended." He tucked away his feminine inner musings, presenting himself nonchalantly to his mother.

"Discuss among yourselves for your return, so I can make the necessary arrangements." Ava wanted to say something more, but Frederick didn’t give her the chance, immediately talking about the departure plans.

Alice Turner and Anthony exchanged a glance; with five years of interaction, they had already developed a tacit understanding.

"We’ll return in two days," Anthony responded.

"I’ll arrange it for you tomorrow."

Frederick had already selected the right people; all that remained was to discuss specifics with them. His tasks over the next few days were actually not light; he needed to plan not just for those starting the company but also for the security of his daughter.

Ava naturally couldn’t bear to part with Anthony, pulling him closer and pleading, "My boy! Stay home tonight, your mom wants to chat with you."

"I can’t stay here; Alice and the others, they wouldn’t be comfortable." Even with Alice Turner and Thomas Fisher absent, Anthony had grown accustomed to living on his own over the years.

Ava initially wanted Alice Turner and Thomas Fisher to stay at home as well, but Anthony’s words about inconvenience instantly blocked any further words, she pursed her lips, unsure what to say next.

"Mom! It’s late, you and dad should rest; Alice and Thomas will be heading back with me." Seeing his mother had nothing else to say, Anthony took the opportunity to get up and prepare to leave.

Seeing him stand, Alice Turner and Thomas Fisher quickly got up too, and after saying goodbye to Frederick and Ava, the three of them left together.

As soon as they left, Ava started to complain to Frederick, "It’s all your fault, why did you drive our boy away? He’s just returned."

"He needs to gain more experience so he can better inherit the company in the future." Frederick sat beside his wife to comfort her gently, "Only when he becomes stronger can he avoid being bullied by others; we can’t protect him forever."