Chapter 134 Charles heads to Gedser
There he sat in his impeccably tailored suit adding a layer of reserved coolness, and as Kevin entered, he slightly parted his lips, "Can we talk now?"
"Why are you so obsessed with getting Daphne to take you off her blacklist?" Kevin broke the silence.
Mark subconsciously glanced at his boss. His gut told him that nothing pleasant was about to come from his boss's mouth.
"The decision to cut ties should have been mine," Charles's voice held a tumult of emotions deep in his eyes, "not hers."
It should have been him to block her, not the other way around. Not to mention that she had been deceiving him all along.
Mark and Kevin were dumbfounded by his response.
He thought Charles was being childish, saying aloud in his frustration, "Why not just delete Daphne yourself? Wouldn't that be you ending it?"
Charles just stared at him, silent. Despite not uttering a word, nor having an intimidating gaze, the silence itself was unnerving.
"If you truly want Daphne to unblock you from her list, first, she has to believe you're worth it," Kevin said earnestly, "As you are now, whatever you do won't change her mind."
Charles's gaze grew darker. He wondered how someone with such a rigid mind could be friends with Daphne.
"And another thing..." Kevin hesitated, considering whether to speak his mind.
Charles prodded, "And what else?"
"Besides, you're Daphne's ex-husband," Kevin touched his face contemplatively, not daring to look Charles in the eye as he added, "Daphne has a policy when it comes to exes—they might as well be dead to her."
"What about her first love?" Charles suddenly inquired, "Did they never speak after breaking up?"
Daphne had mentioned this to him once.
But he hadn't forgotten that time at Rex's party when Daphne lost a game and was asked to call her first love. Her reaction was to silently take three straight shots.
In their two years of marriage, her instances of drinking were few and far between—virtually nonexistent unless necessary.
Yet that time, was it because of her rule about exes being 'as good as dead,' or was it because that person had left such an indelible mark in her heart that she didn't hesitate to drink so much?
Contemplating this tightened a knot in Charles's chest.
Her phone probably still had that person's contact information. Or perhaps she had already memorized their number by heart.
Kevin was lost, his confusion written all over his face. "First love? What do you mean Daphne had a first love?"
The question caught Charles off guard, stirring a mix of emotions he couldn't quite place. He probed further, "What about Fred?"
"Fred? Who's Fred?" Kevin was genuinely perplexed.
He couldn't just make things up! The names Fred and 'first love' were foreign to him. Had Daphne woven an elaborate lie?
Charles felt a twinge of jealousy. He suddenly realized why seeing Daphne with Evan irked him, yet learning about her close relationship with Kevin didn't stir the same anger. To Daphne, Evan was someone special – he was privy to the secret chapters of her first love and this mysterious Fred.
"What's Evan's relationship with Daphne?" Charles asked, pushing for clarity.
"Evan and Daphne? They're just good friends," Kevin replied, though his tone suggested he was mulling over his own words. "They grew up together, childhood sweethearts, I guess. Their families have been close for generations. They've always been tight."
"Give him back his phone," Charles instructed Mark with an icy edge to his voice.
Mark, functioning as the advocate, relayed the message politely, "You're free to go, Kevin."
Kevin wore a bewildered expression. Was this it? He was free just like that?
"I'll walk you to the door," Mark said with customary politeness.
Leaving with a head full of unanswered questions, Kevin couldn't help but feel relieved, his steps suddenly lighter with the absence of interrogation and threat.
Once Kevin was gone, Mark headed back to the CEO's office. His intuition told him there were important matters Charles would want to discuss. He was right. As soon as he entered, Charles issued a directive, "Get ready. We're heading to Gedser on the fifth."
"Gedser?" Mark echoed with skepticism.
Charles continued, "There's nothing in Ivrea City needing my attention right now, but Gedser requires some development."
Mark was speechless; the excuse was hard to swallow. The major operations in Gedser were all managed by Charles. Whether it was Ivrea City, Gedser, or any international branch, the Lancelot Group was thriving, barely demanding any extra attention.
"You don't want to go?" Charles asked, catching Mark's silence. He was accustomed to Mark's efficiency, yet he wouldn't force him to go to Gedser if he was reluctant.
Mark inwardly marveled at his foresight, "I'm your right-hand man, boss. Wherever you are, that's where I'll be."
"Speak plain English," Charles said, feeling a little annoyed.
"I don't have a place in Gedser, rent's pretty steep over there." Mark voiced his concerns.
"I'll get you a place once we're there," Charles reassured him.
"Thanks, boss." Mark felt a wave of relief wash over him and he decided, come hell or high water, he was going to see any challenges through for his boss. "I'll book the flight for the fifth and coordinate the work handover with the folks in Gedser."
"Mhm," Charles responded nonchalantly.
Mark glanced at him, "Who's going to take care of things here?"
"The former CEO," Charles dropped casually.
Mark hadn't forgotten the last time he made a bet with Daphne and the unreliable antics of a certain father were uncovered by her. If he hadn't been caught, Daphne would have waited until after his grandfather's birthday to divorce him, giving him half a month to win her heart back. Since he had botched his affairs, he wasn't bothered in the slightest about throwing a wrench into his parents' travel plans.
"Sure thing, boss," Mark promptly agreed.
Over the next two days, Charles's grandfather warmed up to Charles when the old man learned Charles would be stationed in Gedser for the long haul. After a blunt "get out," he didn't bother with the matter any further.
As for Hayden, learning that Charles had tossed the Ivrea City responsibilities onto him remained calm. Being a veteran at the game of business, there was no way his son could trap him there. He delegated his duties efficiently and then whisked Laura away for some couple's quality time.
In the blink of an eye, the fifth of the month had arrived. Mark joined Charles on the flight to Gedser. Gazing at the clear blue sky outside the airplane window, a smile played on Mark's lips, his mind filled with the image of the Gedser house beckoning him.
Meanwhile in Gedser, Daphne set up a meeting with the Lancelot Group to discuss a partnership. To streamline work, she secured a position at the Murphy Group for Jesse, ensuring a smooth collaboration.
Upon their arrival at the Lancelot Group, they were greeted by the Director, who took them to the reception room.
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