Chapter 148 Feeling the Pressure of Competition?
Charles cast a cool, penetrating look in their direction. Could it be that Jordan was truly seeking a confrontation?Oblivious to Charles's icy stare, Jordan continued to anticipate Daphne's response.Daphne, typically nonchalant about nicknames, accepted anything that wasn't overly sentimental. "Mm-hmm," she affirmed.However, for the first time, she found herself repelled by a nickname. It was Evan's sudden use of "Daphne" that took her by surprise. Perhaps she had become too accustomed to his affectionate "Daffy," and hearing "Daphne" felt strangely unfamiliar.In that moment, Charles's gaze turned stormy. He himself had never even used her formal name.Jordan, relaxed as ever, lounged in the common room of the shooting range. "I just heard from Charles that you two are divorced. Is that true?" he casually inquired, as if discussing the weather.Daphne's voice held a note of indifference. "It's true.""So, are you single now?""Mhm.""You see, I’m quite the catch..." Jordan's words were abruptly cut short. Charles, emanating a chill akin to an Arctic wind, interjected sharply."Tang Shaoze!""Eat your soup, eat your soup," Jordan retorted, a glint of amusement in his eyes. He had figured it out. Charles was loath to divorce Daphne. Perhaps their previous competition was a test to decide whether to remain together or part ways. Tsk, tsk, tsk.He served Daphne a bowl of soup, needling Charles, "What's the rush, man? I'm just wondering if Daphne’s missing Gavin or if you feel threatened that I might pursue her?"Charles shot him a look that further chilled the room. Had he been too accommodating, allowing this man to overstep his boundaries time and again?"You were competing to get back together, right?" Jordan leaned in to whisper to Charles, a cunning grin on his face. "If you win, you stay together? If you lose, you do as Daphne says?"Charles responded with a silent, warning-filled glare. "Another peep out of you and I'll throw you out.""Got it, not a word more," Jordan replied, his expression suggesting he had grasped everything. "Try this, Daphne. It's delicious. Have a bit more.""Mhm," Daphne responded, her mood unreadable.Suddenly, someone burst into the room, urgency etched on their face.Upon reaching the doorway, they addressed Jordan, "Second Young Master, your father’s here."Jordan was taken aback. "Are you sure?""He's on his way here." The newcomer's voice was laced with urgency."Stall him for me; say I’m in the middle of training," Jordan quickly formulated a plan. "I'll meet him in the reception room in five minutes.""Okay..."Before he could finish, a commanding voice echoed through the room. "Show me how you train in the dining area!"Jordan inwardly cursed. How had his father arrived so swiftly?He dared not provoke any further mischief and rose to respectfully greet the man entering the room. "Dad."The man, clad in military attire and radiating an aura of integrity, was well into his forties but looked no older than his thirties."Weren’t you supposed to be on leave for something important? Is this the important affair?" Edwin’s face was stern as he addressed his son, "Get back to training. Fail to complete your task and you'll be confined to quarters!""Take it easy, Dad." Jordan responded meekly to his father's severity. "I took leave because Charles wanted to visit this shooting range. It's rare for him to be here; I just wanted to check if his skills have improved over the past couple of years."His voice trailed off as the conversation took an unexpected turn.Charles rose and approached, offering a polite greeting, "Uncle Edwin.""Mm," Edwin nodded slightly.He held a certain respect for Charles, and his earlier anger had somewhat dissipated.
A sudden wave of relief washed over Jordan, the threat of reprimand evaporating. "I'll return immediately after dinner with them, I promise not to dawdle," he assured.Edwin, his father, cast a look his way, laden with authority and a subtle hint of oppression, yet he remained silent.Jordan interpreted his father's silence as agreement."Dad," Jordan began, his thoughts drifting to Daphne. A joyful smile spread across his face as he moved to her side to make introductions. "Allow me to introduce you to a marvel! Daphne just went head-to-head with Charles in a 300-meter shooting match, and she hit the bullseye with a single shot!""Remarkably impressive!" Jordan exclaimed, his happiness radiating visibly, his pride in Daphne beaming.Edwin's gaze followed his son's, and when his eyes landed on Daphne's face, he paused, momentarily lost in thought.Could it be her?Daphne met his gaze head-on.Silently, they seemed to convey volumes through their locked eyes."You really want to recruit her to your team, don't you?" Jordan knew his father's intentions well.Edwin approached Daphne, "Your name?""Daphne," she responded.Understanding dawned on Edwin instantly. As was his custom, he asked, "Could we step aside for a moment? I have something to discuss with you.""Please lead the way," Daphne replied politely, her tone indifferent.With that, they departed.Jordan placed his hand on Charles's shoulder. "Do you think my dad could persuade your ex-wife?""Your dad knows Daphne?" Charles blurted out in surprise.Jordan looked at him, puzzled. "How could Dad know Daphne? Didn't you hear him asking for her name just now?""He didn't look at Daphne as if she were a stranger," Charles said, his eyes reflecting a depth of profound thought. He had a hunch that things weren't as straightforward as they seemed, "More like someone he used to know.""Are you okay?" Jordan was baffled by his suggestion.His father's reaction from the beginning was consistent with how he usually reacted upon meeting a potential recruit.This guy.Was he just worried about Daphne being recruited away?Charles chose not to elaborate further, deciding to probe more about it later.Half an hour passed.Edwin reappeared.Jordan glanced behind him and, not seeing Daphne, asked, "Where's Daphne?""She had to leave; someone came to pick her up," Edwin's mood had settled, his face as stern as ever. "Finish your dinner and head back to training early, don't dawdle around too much!""I understand," Jordan didn't dare object.Edwin prepared to leave.Charles approached, his businessman's poise evident in his suit and gentlemanly demeanor. He locked his gaze on Edwin and, articulating each word carefully, he inquired, "Uncle Tang and Daphne, they go way back?"Uncle Tang was a man of high esteem.If he was acquainted with Daphne, that implied her own status might not be average...Mulling over this, he felt it wasn't likely, considering Daphne's age. She probably wasn't."They're not exactly old friends," Edwin replied, his voice deep and serious. "She bears a striking resemblance to her mother, whom I knew."With this simple statement, Charles's doubts were dispelled.Edwin then left the shooting club.Contemplating the excuse Daphne had given him for her departure, he chuckled, finding her truly clever, while also regretful that she hadn't joined them. If he had met her before that guy did, the situation would surely be different now.As he was lost in these thoughts, Daphne had already hopped into Jesse's car and left.
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