"That’s... That’s so cool!!!"
Judy exclaimed with a giggle. For the rest of the dinner, it was just Arthur and Judy chatting.
He realised that this child was very intelligent. She has figured out he was the one who has bought the toys. It wasn’t that big of a deal but children generally show appropriation towards people who have given gifts to them and get close, hoping for more.
Jude probably thought he was just after his sister since Jude didn’t seem to like him that much and was pretending to not care about him. From what he has observed, Jude probably thinks it is his sister that bought everything.
Which is extremely normal if one doesn’t think too deeply. Judy certainly has and was trying to establish a rapport.
He more or less understood why. And he felt it was impressive for a child to think this deeply. She was certainly a genius. Of what, he doesn’t know.
But he could use that to increase his spending. But that is for later.
Because he realised that he involuntarily created a hole I to his persona when he revealed he was a national champion. Judy seemed the most intelligent out of the three siblings, and if she decides to dig into his past because she is curious about who he actually is, then she will know that he wasn’t from some rich family.
But after thinking for a moment, he realised he didn’t need to worry. First, he could just say his parents were his foster parents and he was adopted. If it ever came to that. And second, if he doesn’t answer people will fill the hotel themselves.
And besides, he only ever has implied he is some rich heir. Never said anything. So he was basically getting worried for nothing.
After dinner, Arthur sat on the living room sofa with Judy by his side. She was watching her favourite TV show. Sara and Jude on the other hand were in the kitchen. Sara was cleaning the dishes and Jude was standing near her. They were talking about something in low voice and occasionally shooting hostile glares at Arthur.
’Getting emotional support from a child, pathetic.’
Arthur once again once again left feeling supercalifragilisticexpilidocious. He understood that he may have used excessive force on a weak man, but it was necessary to sober him up.
Arthur was just following the principle that never failed him. "Fear is the greatest motivator.", although it is a quote, Arthur made a principle to follow and use in daily life.
To get things done, one just needs to install Fear, people then will give %110 of their power to get the job done.
But who is gonna tell those idiots? Definitely not him.
Arthur sighed and looked away. The more he looked at them, the more he felt his brain jamming with remarks that would shred their souls.
So instead, he just focused on the TV. It has been a while since he last watched TV. Like 10 years. Even back home, he had stopped watching TV because he suddenly became interested in mixed martial arts and got little time to waste.
"Don’t mind them. They are idiots."
Judy said to Arthur, he turned to her, she was eating chips while her gaze was fixed on the TV. He turned back to the TV.
"That they are."
Hearing Arthur’s response, Judy paused. She turned to Arthur with a shocked expression. But then smiled happily and focused on TV again.
"I’m glad that you agree, Mr. Arthur. It is honestly painful to watch these idiots who think with their emotions, not their brain. Especially my idiot sister. She could do a lot of things online instead of just working 9 to 5—."
"I think she works 3 to 9."
Arthur interrupted Judy’s speech, making her speechless. She turned to Arthur and Arthur turned to her as well. Both stared at each other for a few moments before smiling and focusing back on the TV.
"Right, I need to be precise since I’m claiming I’m better. Right Mr. Arthur?"
"Exactly. And you can call me Arthur. I feel like an old man."
"... I see. Then you can call me Judy too! ... Wait. You never called me anything!"
Judy exclaimed, feigning offence. She pouted cutely, Humphead and looked back at the TV.
Arthur didn’t say anything for a while. Silence fell between them. The brother and sister in the kitchen were now cackling and giggling. Arthur did not know why. Nor he wanted to
But it seemed like Sara had recovered. Which is good.
"By the way Judy, how close are you to getting paid?"
Arthur suddenly asked Judy, breaking the silence, she turned to him with surprise.
"...What makes you say that?"
"You said there are many opportunities online, right? You must have found one such opportunity for you to say it with such certainty. Otherwise most people who are certain mostly run on "trust me bro" energy. But I believe you’re knowledgeable enough to understand that empty words mean nothing. Unless you have proof."
"... Right. That makes sense... I should be getting a payment next month."
"Does your sister know?"
"No. I used my father’s bank account because I wanted to give Sara a surprise."
"I see... what kind of job do you do?"
"I write Webnovels."
"Is it tough?"
"Well, it was for most part because I didn’t understand the platform or market but after a whole lot of trying, doing research, I got my first contract and readers like what I write. And I apparently earn nearly $1000!"
Judy said with a hint of pride. Arthur didn’t say anything, just nodded.
But internally, he was crying. Because even an 8 year old was better than him. She was here preparing for a bright future and keeping up with the era, he was too busy simping.
He realised he had severe tunnel vision. But he understood that he was a freshly disowned guy and he wasn’t that into the Internet.
But regardless, there was no gain in laminating his foolishness. What is done is done. He just needed to look ahead and build a stable income source lest the system decided to disappear someday since he wasn’t actually simping at all.