No Further Discussions.

Ashley was looking around with interest, Sean was shifting from foot to foot, not finding the courage to look his father in the eye. From David's view, it was clear that he was more dissatisfied than ever, the boy first saw his father so serious.

Although David was a supporter of strict education to balance Elena's kindness, Sean did not feel offended at such moments, but now the boy realized that their thoughtless prank was too much this time.

"Young man, what do you say in your defense, huh?" David's question was raised with the utmost seriousness.

"I ... I ... It's Ashley's fault! That was her idea!" the boy pointed a finger towards his accomplice, in the appearance of which there was not a hint of regret about what they have done.

"Do not pass the blame for your actions on others! Especially on the girl! Even if it was her initiative, you yourself decided to follow her and support her. Therefore, the responsibility lies with you."

"Sorry," Sean bowed his head and did not know what to say in his defense. And why did this stupid girl love to create problems for him?! For so many years this was not the first time that he fell into the strict temper of his father because of Ashley, and each time the boy promised not to listen to her, but as soon as this pirate princess smiled and naively patted her fluffy eyelashes, all his anger evaporated, as nothing happened.

Maybe she still had some sort of secret superpower that he didn't know about? Otherwise, why did his heart pound every time like crazy, should she praise him or look into his eyes with a smile? Hmmm, there was definitely something wrong here, but what it was exactly, Sean couldn't understand.

"Dandy, please forgive us! We thought you left to look for a secret treasure without us, so we sneaked into your ship unnoticed. I promise this is the last time! When we return, I will behave very, very good," Ashley pulled Daniel by the hand, her appearance was reminiscent of an angel asking for forgiveness of the sins of the whole world, "Dandy, I promise that if you and mom gift me a little brother, I will be the most obedient older sister! Word of honor!"

Daniel's heart fluttered with tenderness at the very moment when the girl called him Dandy. This was the nickname Ashley gave him as a kid. But when she mentioned that she really wanted to have a little brother, it was a control shot. How could he swear or get mad at her after this?

The man took the girl in his arms and gently pinched his nose, "Bunny, your Dandy does not even doubt that you will be the best older sister! But don't do it anymore, otherwise, mom will worry."

"Yeah, I won't," Ashley put her arms around the man and kissed him on the cheek. She squinted at Sean and smirked rather, 'Heh, look and learn, sailor, how to get out of difficult situations! This captain will then show you a master class.'

In the process of her cunning manipulations, the girl did not notice the frowning face of another man standing not far from them. Rick turned to the side, deliberately ignoring this sweet idyll of the "dad" and daughter. Whatever happened in the future, but in this child his blood was flowing, and this will remain unchanged.

So let this Anderson rejoice while there is time. When all this is over, Ashley will be equally happy to hug Rick's neck and smile at him. They already had a secret agreement, who knows, maybe he will manage to get Corey back someday...

This bold thought momentarily drove Rick into the world of fantasies, where he would have happily lingered on had it not been for Marcus's remark.

"Hah, and this girl is quite a little thing! I think when she grows up, she will be a very interesting young lady. Do you think I should take a closer look at her? In the end, some fifteen years would be a mere trifle for me," Marcus narrowed his eyes and looked at Rick with obvious provocation.

"You better not joke like that, otherwise, people might think that you are a pervert," Rick turned and climbed into the car as if he had some important business there. Another second, and he would not restrain himself and hit this man for his boorish comment. How dare he even say something like that about his daughter?

The man took several deep breaths to calm his anger. Now was not the time to break down and enter into conflict. In the end, Marcus came here for some kind of weapon, and this weapon was not ordinary.

Marcus watched Rick, not reacting to the commentary of the latter, 'Hmm, ok, you are trying to look cool and indifferent, but with such a small provocation, the heart immediately began to beat faster. Eh, Richard, your naive attempts to drive me around your finger are so touching that I embarrassingly start playing along with you. Come on, play while you have time. My patience is running out, it remains only to wait until the moment when you stumble, and then don't expect any mercy...'

The man looked at another company. Elena was walking from side to side, trying to catch a mobile signal to contact Corey, but all her attempts were unsuccessful.

"What should we do? It's necessary to warn Corey that the children are with us, she will go nuts trying to find them," the woman could well imagine what was happening to her best friend.

"Mrs. Anderson, don't try so hard, any communication in this area is blocked by the military, whom we saw along the way. So your phone is completely useless right now," Marcus stepped closer and wedged into their conversation.

"I suppose it was your order? Why did you do that?" David did not like the presence of people in uniform on the way to this wilderness, to say nothing of the fact that they were now cut off from communication with the world.

"What for? Nothing much, just safety precautions. Who knows what comes to your head," Marcus shrugged innocently as if he had been held here against his will, and he was the most harmless character among all.

"Are you sure it should not be the other way around? From whom one has to defend himself, it's obviously not from us," David turned to his brother and nodded towards the car, "Daniel, take the children and take them back to the hotel, please. They should not be here."

'Hmm, it's so true that these two little ones should not have been here, regardless the fact whether I like it or not,' Marcus noticed a well-known pendant flashing on the boy's neck, this little detail was enough for a man to change his opinion, 'But this unplanned accident can be very useful in the end,' he thought, and the corners of his lips turned up. Good luck was on his side today.

"You can't even try to do it," Marcus turned to Daniel, who had already opened the driver's door of the car, "I gave the military the strict orders that they would not let anyone in or out without my approval. So do not waste my time, we are already quite late. Take these two with you and follow me," Marcus waved his hand in the direction of the narrow path leading into the depths of the jungle, and by his appearance, it became clear that further discussions would not make any sense.