Chapter 176 Some Things Don't Require Our Concern
Charles's gaze fell upon the latest messages, his lips pressed into a thin line.
Charles: [It seems you've all reached the age suitable for marriage.]
Alarms went off in everyone's heads. What was happening? Was Charles pushing them to get married?
[The age is there, but I'm not planning on getting married just yet.]
[Right, right!]
[Charles, are you looking to get married? If you need, I can introduce you to someone.]
[I can make introductions too!]
In response to their offers, Charles replied.
Charles: [I was just talking with Marcus, and it seems he's interested in introducing you all to some eligible women.]
Reading his response, they remembered that Marcus had indeed been bringing up this subject lately.
While they could make excuses with their own family's Marcus, brushing off the topic, it seemed a bit tougher to do so when it involved Charles.
If Marcus recommended someone, even if they were reluctant at heart, they would have to offer him a polite façade.
Ugh, why are the elders always so keen on matchmaking?
They groaned while responding.
[Marcus is as enthusiastic as ever.]
[But I don't want to bother him with setting me up.]
[Exactly, we can't trouble Marcus with such a trifle.]
[Charles, can you help us out here?]
[We really don't want to go on these blind dates.]
Charles saw they didn't like the idea and bet on the right horse.
Charles: [He's not asking you to go on a date, just to meet someone casually.]
But isn't that just a fancy way of saying 'blind date'? They all knew it.
Charles: [As long as you don't flaunt yourselves in front of him later, I can cover for you, but if you do cross paths with him, even I won't be able to stop it.]
They responded.
[Thanks, Charles.]
[I'll go have fun after wishing him well tomorrow, and I won't hang around Marcus.]
[I'll do the same.]
Realizing they were on board, Charles wrapped up.
Charles: [Just don't let Rex know I tipped you off. You know how much he loves stirring up drama.]
They all nodded in agreement.
Although they hadn't talked much with Charles, they were quite familiar with Rex and his penchant for chaos.
After ending the group chat and switching back to his main account, Charles felt a sense of relief.
The others were still in the group wondering why Charles had suddenly decided to share this with them. They concluded he had a cold exterior but a warm heart and didn't want to see them suffer through matchmaking. It was like the saying, "Those who've been rained on often wish to offer others an umbrella."
Unaware of their thoughts, Charles changed into a black casual outfit at home. The disheveled hair on his forehead added a youthful look to his otherwise mature and steady appearance.
Not many could blend maturity with a hint of youth as he did; Charles's looks were certainly favored.
Freshened up, he paced out of his room to reconnect with Marcus. Better not delay, he thought, lest Marcus accuse him of being unfilial again.
Charles spent the entire next day with Marcus, avoiding questions about Daphne by saying things like, "Your move, Marcus," or "If you don't focus, you will lose."
After a few of these diversions, Marcus finally ran out of patience and snapped, "All talk and no action, why didn't you bring Daphne back with you?"
"Shall we continue the game?" Charles replied, his profile sharp and his nose prominent.
Marcus was left exasperated.
Indeed, no one was a match for Daphne in his eyes.
Marcus was in no mood to play chess, his spirits dampened by Charles's antics. "Keep messing around. When Daphne ends up with someone else, you'll live to regret it," he grumbled, pushing his pieces away.
Charles said nothing, simply pouring a cup of tea for Marcus and handing it over.
Watching Charles's calm demeanor, Marcus felt a mix of affection and frustration. No matter how much he scolded, Charles never got angry; instead, he'd soothe Marcus, acting like he was the one being temperamental.
"What are you thinking?" Marcus finally asked, defeated and feeling a complicated sense of resignation.
Charles was adept at keeping his thoughts hidden. "I'm not," he replied, his face as calm as the sea.
Marcus nearly lost his breath in exasperation. After staring at Charles's unflappable expression for a while, he eventually gave up on conversation, tossing out, "Get out of my sight!"
And Charles left. He figured Rex was there, and it made sense to check on the hotel banquet arrangements firsthand. While he trusted that his father could handle it, double-checking would prevent any mishaps.
At the hotel, Hayden was about to leave when he saw Charles arrive. He greeted his son casually and then quipped, "Marcus kicked you out, huh?"
Charles was speechless.
Hayden clapped him on the shoulder, "You'll get used to it."
"You were despised just the same when you were young," Charles shot back.
The father and son always bantered like this during their encounters, and invariably, Charles would end up on the losing side. This time was no different.
"I might have been despised, but at least I brought him a grandson," Hayden said with the ease and cunning of a seasoned fox. "What about you? What do you have to show?"
"If it wasn't for me, would you have been able to woo Mom so quickly?" Charles retorted.
"Thanks for the assistance, son," Hayden replied, smiling.
It was like punching into cotton, there was no impact.
"You were so cute when you were little, and sweet, too," Hayden observed, giving Charles a once-over. "Maybe you should try those tactics from your childhood to win back Daphne."
"Childish," Charles responded tersely, not fond of recalling the past.
Whenever he thought of how he used to charm and cajole Marcus just to prevent his father from getting an earful upon returning home, he cringed with embarrassment.
"The grown-up you is certainly less cute," Hayden teased, his smile hinting at nostalgia. "I should have fed you more sweetness when you were little."
Charles just stood there, speechless.
"I'll leave it to you here," Hayden said, the arc of his smile deepening as he opened his lips. "I'm off to be with my wife."
Charles furrowed his brows, slightly perturbed. Despite his age, his father never missed a chance to flaunt his affection.
Charles couldn't help but feel skeptical, yet somewhere inside, he was reassured.
His mother hadn't chosen the wrong man; his father proved to her with his actions that he truly would love her for a lifetime.
After pushing aside these thoughts, he proceeded with the usual routine.
In a secluded spot, Hayden stood with Laura, watching Charles hurry off to tend to his business. Hayden wrapped his arm around her, always speaking with tenderness, "He's grown up now. There are some things we don't need to worry too much about."
"It's all your fault!" Laura playfully chided him.
A flicker of amusement crossed Hayden's brow. How could this be his fault?
"It's my fault, my fault," he conceded inwardly, while outwardly he appeased her, "Later, I'll bring Daphne to Ivrea City so they can be blissfully together."
"That won't do," Laura interjected.
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