Chapter 144 I Am Just Stating a Fact
Yes.
That was Charles's initial reaction, a thought that burrowed deep within his psyche. He held an instinctive belief that unless he released his grip, Daphne had no authority to declare their relationship over. Yet, he refrained from voicing this sentiment, acutely aware that such a retort would only serve to ignite her fury. "No," he said instead."Then, if that's the case, cease meddling in my affairs," Daphne implored, her voice laced with a desperate hope for a peaceful dialogue. She had no desire to engage in a confrontation with Charles. Often, she found herself making rational decisions in the face of adversity, but without a proper discussion with Charles, she feared he would act solely on his impulses, making conflict unavoidable."Why do you resist the idea of reuniting with me?" Charles queried, his imposing presence filling the room. "If it's due to Kayla, I apologize."Daphne remained silent, her gaze lifting slightly. "Because we're not the same kind of people," she finally said.The social sphere she had been raised in was founded on the principle of mutual trust. Whether it was herself, Evan, Kevin, or any of their other companions, they shared a common trait. Like Charles, they were cautious about whom they trusted, but once they truly understood and connected with someone, their trust was unwavering.This mutual understanding and trust allowed them to support each other without reservation."Evan," Charles uttered icily, the name hanging heavily in the air.Daphne offered no response, but her silence was enough to confirm to Charles that Evan held a special place in her heart.The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically, growing tense. The temperature seemed to plummet, casting a perceptible chill over the living room. Daphne was unwilling to engage with Charles, and he was too agitated to initiate conversation with her."I'll give you three months to reconsider," Charles finally broke the silence, his voice firm. He was unwilling to let things continue as they were. "If you haven't changed your mind by then, I will make you return to me, my way.""Are you attempting to coerce me?" Daphne questioned, her brow furrowing in irritation at his threat.Charles retorted coldly, "It's you who's pushing me.""I won't reconcile with you," Daphne stated simply, standing her ground against his domineering stance.If Charles persisted in pressuring her, she'd prefer to return to her old, perilous assignments rather than allow him to disrupt her life.Suddenly, Charles rose to his feet. His towering figure seemed to shrink the spacious living room as his patience evaporated from his eyes. "You can try," he said, each word carefully enunciated.With that, he retreated to his room, leaving Daphne alone in the silence of the living room.Daphne contemplated reaching out to Marcus and Laura, asking them to intervene and bring Charles to his senses. However, she doubted that someone three years her senior would heed the advice of his elders.After much thought, she decided to send a message to Rex. It was in times like these that she needed someone close to Charles's age to rea son with him.Rex was at home, engrossed in a game of chess with Marcus when he received Daphne's message. He paused mid-move, momentarily forgetting the game as he read her words."I always say that none of you are as considerate as Daphne," Marcus grumbled, his beard bristling as he shot Rex a glare. "She never fiddles with her phone when she's playing chess with me.""I'm merely reading a message your granddaughter sent me," Rex retorted.Everyone in the family was well aware of Marcus's affection for Daphne. The mere mention of her name was enough to pique his interest."Daphne?" he asked, his interest in the chess game momentarily forgotten. "What did Daphne send you?""It's that pitiful excuse for a grandson-in-law causing havoc in her life again," Rex revealed as he tapped away on his phone, sharing the message with Marcus. "Daphne doesn't even like him, and he's still pressing her. I can't decide whether his emotional intelligence is low or simply non-existent."If only he had followed my advice step by step, without deviating, he might have already made a favorable impression on Daphne. Such a blockhead.
Marcus found himself in a state of bewilderment. "Pressuring her? But how?" he asked.Rex's lips barely twitched as he responded, "He's attempting to coerce Daphne into remarrying him. He's even gone so far as to confine her within his home." He paused, considering the potential repercussions. "If this continues, Daphne is bound to have a severe falling out with him."A frown creased Marcus's forehead at the thought. A falling out? That was simply unacceptable!"Marcus," Rex's gaze shifted, his eyes piercingly inquisitive, "do you want your granddaughter to return?"Marcus shot him a look that spoke volumes. Was there any doubt?The thought consumed him daily."If you do, then you must create some hurdles for him. That way, he won't have the leisure to pester Daphne," Rex proposed, his fingers absentmindedly playing with his phone as a scheme began to take shape in his mind.Marcus was quick to concur. He yearned for Daphne's return, certainly, but above all, he desired her happiness.With Marcus's decision made, it wouldn't be long before Charles would find himself compelled to pay a visit to Marcus's friends in Gedser. Once the visit was over, it was inevitable that the old guard would grow fond of him.And then, they would inevitably start suggesting potential matches for him.Charles, however, remained blissfully ignorant of the storm brewing. He had been secluded in his room for some time, and on his bed lay a bag containing a brand-new set of women's sleepwear and undergarments.He intended to present them to Daphne, but the mental image of her probable rejection halted him in his tracks.Suddenly, a knock sounded at his door. With only him and Daphne occupying the house, there was no need for him to speculate who it might be. He opened the door to find Daphne, her expression as impassive and detached as ever. His response was notably icy, "What is it?""I want to leave. Open the door," Daphne stated bluntly.She had already attempted to open it herself, to no avail.Charles's hands clenched at his sides, his voice dropping several octaves in frustration, "You truly don't wish to stay with me?"Daphne was taken aback. Was he genuinely asking?"No ex-wife wishes to cohabit with her ex-husband post-divorce.""Always needling me," Charles muttered, the words 'ex-husband' and 'ex-wife' grating on his nerves. "I'm merely stating a fact," Daphne retorted, meeting his furious gaze head-on. "Do you genuinely wish to remarry me?"Charles was caught off guard by the sudden shift in the conversation, causing him to freeze momentarily.His deep, fathomless black eyes bore into Daphne, as if trying to decipher her intentions."Why the silence?" Daphne prodded.Despite his confusion, Charles managed to respond, "Yes.""Very well. If you can best me in three challenges, I'll consider remarrying you," Daphne declared, choosing her words with care to imply consideration, not consent. "But until the results are determined, you are not to meddle in my life or my family's.""What are these three challenges?" Charles didn't agree outright.Having learned much about her over the past month, he was not about to rush into an agreement.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
