Amongst the three of them, it appeared as if Sam was the one that did not change much. The only difference people could see was that he was not following Kyle around anymore.

On the outside, his serious expression was the same. His gentle look on Betty was the same. His behaviour all looked the same.

However, nothing could be further from the truth.

His greatest headache right now was Patrick.

✿ Flashback ✿

Sam was sitting in the Smith Industries CEO's office.

In front of him, sitting stiffly on the chair while staring down at him, was Patrick Smith, Kyle's father.

"Samuel," Patrick said, tapping the table with his finger, "I know you know where Kyle is. Tell me."

"I'm sorry, Sir," Sam said politely, "I do not know where he is, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you."

Patrick bristled at that.

Turns out his son's PA was as stubborn as his son is. Patrick could not understand how Kyle could just disappear off the face of the Earth. No matter what resources he employed, Kyle could not be traced.

Worse, he had no idea how his son was living.

At first, he was not worried so long as Kyle had that credit card. Even though he didn't seem to be using it, he had it and Patrick was assured that Kyle would have some access to money once he ran out of it.

Yet, as the weeks passed by, there was nothing.

Not a single transaction on the card!

Then, the card was returned to him in a letter. There was nothing in the envelope save that credit card, cut in two.

Patrick had been livid at the gesture, Was Kyle's ego and stubbornness so high that he would shoot himself in the foot like that?!

If it wasn't for the fact that Kyle would write to his mother once in a while, he would actually think his son was dead. Or living in the slums.

Worse, Kyle actually wrote letters. Handwritten letters, mailed in an envelope.

It wasn't an email, so he couldn't trace it. Each letter originated from different parts of the world and it was nigh impossible to send his men to each and every one of those places.

Patrick was ready to lose his mind.

And now, he was facing what was supposed to be a secondary school kid. It should have been easy to intimidate him, right? RIGHT?

He even had three of his toughest bodyguards to be in plain sight in the office, to stare down at this young boy that was sitting there. Yet, he seemed unaffected.

Patrick often used this tactic whenever he confronted his employees or executives that he suspected were hiding things from him. If he had the evidence, he wouldn't need to use such methods and the pressure they got often betrayed them.

The weak ones would break down and confess. The stronger ones would take longer. There were some who never broke down but they showed various signs of discomfort or fear.

Yet why was this young boy so calm?

Sure, he knew that Sam must be somewhat capable for Kyle to actually hire him but this was ridiculous.

The composure and confidence this young boy that was sitting in front of him was even superior to some of his executives that had been working for him for years.

Perhaps it was because Sam was used to him as Kyle's father, so he didn't see him as a threat? Perhaps he was too young to understand the sort of pressure he was under?

Patrick gritted his teeth.

"May I remind you that as you are my son's PA, it means that you are working for Smith Industries. Hence, if you do not tell me what I want to know, I'll have you fired for inappropriate behaviour in employment."

Patrick was citing one of the standard clauses in the employment contract. Although the incompetent HR department could not locate a copy of Sam's employment contract, Patrick was confident that Sam had signed the standard one.

Sam looked at him unflinchingly, his face not showing any expression or fear. He got up, smoothing his shirt and took a slight bow.

"With all due respect, Sir," Sam said as he straightened his back, "I do not work for you or Smith Industries. I work for Kyle. I came upon being summoned out of respect for you being my boss's father, but you have no power over me."

"I'll have HR Department halt your pay if you continue to be stubborn!" roared Patrick, staring at him.

Only then did Sam smile and he gave a brief nod, "That would be impossible, Sir, since they aren't the ones who pay me."

With that, Sam turned and headed out the door. However, just before he walked out, he turned for a while and couldn't help but add, "If your PA was half as capable as I am, you would have known that."

✿ End of Flashback ✿

Everytime Sam thought of that day, he couldn't help but smile to himself. It had been extremely satisfying to say those words, seeing the way Patrick's face went all black from suppressed anger.

Sam scoffed inwardly over Patrick's attempt to scare him.

First, that stare and aura that he had shown - though impressive, hadn't even been a fraction of Kyle's when he went serious.

Secondly, Sam had gone through intense training under Team Zero and his instincts had already been honed to adapt to danger. Thus, even the presence of those burly bodyguards around hadn't been enough to make him nervous.

Child's play.

Ever since that day, Patrick had Sam shadowed. Patrick was sure that Sam was in constant contact with Kyle, and sooner or later, he'll find out where Kyle was hiding.

Of course, Sam knew he was being monitored but he played along, pretending he didn't know. He simply went by his days like normal.

After all, Sam wasn't in contact with Kyle either.