He found it hard to rx and be informal around his grandfather.


    Norton sighed lightly and reached out to touch Nathan, only to realize he was too far away to reach his face.


    “Can youe closer, Nathan? I can’t even touch you.


    ”


    This time, Nathan hesitated longer.


    After squatting for a few minutes, he slowly stood up and moved closer to Norton’s feet.


    Norton gently touched his short hair and sighed.


    “Nathan, you must be upset with me, right? You think I didn’t trust you enough, and that I ced my old colleagues in the National Security Bureau.


    You feel I didn’t honor what your deceased parents and you have done.


    ”


    After he finished his words, Norton’s fingertips trembled and he took a deep breath.


    Feeling the affection in Norton’s touch, Nathan responded simply, “No.


    ”


    “You’re lying,” Norton said, tapping Nathan on the head with a finger.


    Though it was a gentle scolding, there was a yful tone in his voice.


    How had Norton, once a dominant figure in the military, be so yielding?


    Nathan was taken aback.


    He confessed to Norton, “I did feel resentful, but I don’t think you wronged me.


    ”


    Indeed, he grasped why Norton made that decision.


    Norton’s oldest son and daughter-inw had passed away and were gone forever.


    He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his other two sons in the same way.


    Norton had raised him.


    Although he was harsh and often resorted to physical punishment, Norton had always been fair to him.


    Norton hadn’t wronged him.


    Previously, a barrier in Nathan’s heart had kept him from visiting Norton’s vi for several months.


    When Nathan heard Norton speak to him gently, that barrier seemed to be slowly removed.


    Norton’s eyes were slightly red, and his aged fingers shook more than usual.


    He ced a firm hand on Nathan’s shoulder and, for the first time, exined himself earnestly.


    “I did not intend to spy on you by having my subordinates work at the National Security Bureau.


    My goal was to assist you when you started your new role.


    My team was instructed to follow yourmands and support your decisions in every way.This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    My harshness toward you was not meant to exploit you.


    I simply.


    .


    I struggled to express my care for you.


    ”


    Norton’s eyes turned red, and his hand shook as he ced it on Nathan’s shoulder.


    He said in a mournful tone, “It’s entirely my fault.


    Out of all my sons and grandchildren, I chose you to bear the burden.


    I am sorry.


    Can you forgive me?”


    Nathan’s eyes welled up, but he remained silent.


    For years, he had held the utmost respect for Norton.