Chapter 177 Play the Chauffer
Hayden continued to soothe her, eyes brimming with gentleness, "Why not?"
"He let Daphne down; he should learn his lesson," Laura blurted out, then glared at him, delivering her ultimatum, "Starting tonight, for the next month, you're not allowed to sleep in my bed."
"That's not going to work. If I'm not there, who will keep your bed warm?" Hayden teased, smoothly changing the subject, "We should think about how to face them when Daphne and her father arrive. After all, our son ran off with their daughter without so much as a heads-up."
"Daphne's father is coming?" Laura said, bewildered.
"Yep," he confirmed.
"We do need to think about this," she said excitedly.
"I'll help you think it through." And just like that, Hayden managed to charm Laura away.
Daphne and Mr. Murphy arrived in Ivrea City around seven in the evening. Once there, Mr. Murphy confirmed again, "So, I'm to treat this just as a regular business dinner?"
"Yes," Daphne responded.
She had prepared a gift for Marcus because he had been extremely kind to her. But fundamentally, she and Charles were divorced, and her father had no connection to the Lancelot family. There was no need for excessive special treatment.
"Wouldn't it be inappropriate? Won't the Lancelot family take offense at our lack of courtesy?" Mr. Murphy asked again.
"There's no need to worry," Daphne assured him, sensing his anxiety. She decided to clarify, "I'm divorced from Charles, and you're representing the Murphy Group."
Hearing this, Mr. Murphy's unease settled, and not only did he calm down, but he also began to resent the Lancelot family. His daughter had been swept away, and he hadn't known a thing!
That evening passed for Daphne without any difference from the rest.
After calming down, Mr. Murphy lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. His mind was full of thoughts about how Daffy had lived here before. How had she managed after moving to Ivrea City by herself and even had a whirlwind wedding?
The more he thought, the more awake he became, until he eventually pulled out his phone and texted Daphne.
Mr. Murphy: [Daffy.]
Mr. Murphy: [Did you have a tough time in Ivrea City these past two years?]
Daphne, who was just getting ready to sleep, saw the message from her dad. She pondered how to respond and eventually sent back a single sentence.
Daphne: [No, I've been doing well. You should get some sleep too.]
Reading her response, Mr. Murphy's guilt deepened. If only he had been more shameless and courageous back then, maybe Daffy would have been happier here. Or perhaps, there wouldn't have been any crush. Intending to reply with an 'okay,' but thinking that Daphne might have already fallen asleep, he put down his phone and forced himself to try and get some rest.
On the other hand, Charles hadn't gone to bed yet. After confirming some arrangements with the hotel and planning to get some sleep, Austin showed up at his door.
Austin was holding car keys, one hand in his pocket, "Drink."
"I'm not drinking," Charles replied succinctly.
Austin didn't care whether he would drink or not and dragged him to the car, clearly irritable.
Charles was about to say he had things to do the next day when Austin cut in, "Don't use Marcus's birthday tomorrow as an excuse. The birthday party is in the evening; a few drinks now won't affect your day tomorrow."
Charles remained silent. Originally, Marcus had wanted just a family gathering at home, but they ended up deciding to have it at a hotel. Even so, they didn't invite too many people, it was just family, a few old friends of Marcus, and some of their friends. The only business invitees were the Murphy family. No one else.
"Just spit it out if you have something to say. I need to stop by the old house later," Charles said nonchalantly, his gaze clear.
Hearing that, Austin didn't beat around the bush. He pulled the car over to the side of the road, turned off the engine, rested one hand on the steering wheel, and turned to him, "Where's Daisy."
Charles, puzzled, replied, "You're asking me?"
"Weren't you the one who said she was in Gedser?" Austin said, his frustration apparent. Over the past couple of weeks, his state of mind had been off the rails, "I couldn't find her following your lead."
"That's because you're a fool," Charles never minced words with him.
"As if I can't find her if it wasn't for your ex-wife taking her away," Austin retorted, clearly annoyed.
Charles rested his hand casually outside the car window and spoke with a calm detachment, "You were the one who lost Daisy. It’s on you, not anyone else."
Austin wanted to argue back.
But Charles hit again, "Forcing someone to have an abortion? You sure have a way about you."
"You left your wife because of a crush isn't any better,” Austin snapped back, his emotions flaring as he relentlessly hurled accusations at Charles.
A chill surrounded Charles.
Austin was still heated and unapologetic.
"At least I know where Daphne is,” Charles said, his voice edged with an undissipated coolness as he glanced sideways, “unlike some people who don't even know where their wife is.”
"So, what if I don't know? She's at least listed under my name in the family record book.” Austin spat out aggressively, "Whether I find her or not, she's legally mine by law."
Charles fell silent.
At that moment, he suddenly regretted divorcing Daphne. If they hadn’t divorced, at least their relationship would still be legally recognized.
But now...
“So, what,” Charles looked over with a faintly cool gaze, his voice steady and emotionless, “you think she won’t file for divorce?”
Austin was speechless.
Charles pressed on, “Just on the fact that you forced her to get an abortion, you'd lose that lawsuit hands down."
"Can you stop it, Charles?" Austin was on the verge of a breakdown. "So, I made one comment about you. Does that justify you stabbing me with all these accusations?"
Wasn’t it obvious that he stood no chance in court? He was sick of it.
"If that child in Daisy's belly is yours," Charles suddenly said, "what are you going to do?"
Previously, because of Daphne's jarring change of attitude, Charles hadn't bothered to get to know Daisy much either.
But now that he thought about it...
Someone like Daphne wouldn't associate with unreliable people; moreover, from the two interactions he had with Daisy, she didn't seem like someone who would be irresponsible.
Austin's brow furrowed slightly, "What are you implying?"
"Did Daisy ever tell you the child was yours?" Charles asked pointedly.
Austin paused briefly before scoffing dismissively, "Sure, she said that, but she never tells the truth. I was abroad at that time, how could I possibly be the father?"
Charles's dark eyes were unreadable as he finally suggested, "Maybe you should check Daisy's travel history."
"What are you trying to say?" Austin's voice took on a deeper tone.
Charles left it at that, "Nothing much."
Austin wanted to continue questioning, but Charles coldly changed the subject, "It's getting late. Take me back to the old house."
"Do I look like your chauffeur to you?" Austin grumbled, but his actions betrayed his words as he honestly started the car, "Pay up!"
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