Chapter 179 If You Can't Catch Up to Daphne, Don't Even Think About Marriage
"Don't think just because you're good-looking that my granddaughter will fancy you," Marcus said, needing to tease Charles daily to feel at ease, "My granddaughter isn't that superficial."
Charles was calm and collected, "Right, she's not superficial; she just likes good-looking people."
"That's because she has good taste," Marcus said proudly.
"Yes, you're absolutely right," Charles agreed.
That silences Marcus for a moment.
The bantering between grandfather and grandson was daily routine; however, while they might argue back and forth, Marcus never really got mad at Charles, and Charles always took Marcus's words in stride.
Charles noticed Marcus looking at him, his brows slightly raised, "What's up?"
"I'm just thinking about the chances of Daphne falling for your face," Marcus mused seriously, delving deep into this matter. "I remember that the youth nowadays, like those who are fair and clean, who look youthful. Your cousin is like that, and so are the girls on TV."
Charles might have been unsure about other things, but when it came to his face, he could only thank his lucky genetics. It just so happened to fit perfectly with Daphne's tastes.
"Maybe you should put on some makeup too? Like, draw on some eyeliner, slap on some lipstick or something?" Marcus usually did not have any affinity for that kind of man; he thought them lacking in manliness.
But now... To get his grandson noticed by Daphne, he was really pulling out all the stops.
Charles was genuinely curious. As he brewed the tea, he asked, “I remember at first you weren’t too keen on Daphne, so what’s with the fondness now?”
Marcus had conservative views, even when it came to his own marriage; he hoped for a match of equal social status. Hence, when they just got their marriage certificate, Marcus was not pleased.
But later, even before he knew of Daphne's background, he had stopped caring about social status and always felt he wasn’t good enough for her. Now, he even went as far as to encourage put on makeup for Daphne.
"Because Daphne is good," Marcus didn’t simply mention what Daphne did with him as he used to.
"No matter whether I liked her in the beginning or not, she’s always treated this old man with unwavering respect," Marcus reflected with emotion, starting to reminisce about those times, "Even when you weren’t around, she was still good to me."
Charles listened in silence.
Marcus continued, "Daphne, this girl, she’s sincere, kindhearted, with a moral compass in her heart."
"Hmm," Charles murmured, though Marcus's words made him start reminiscing about his past with Daphne.
"What’s with the 'hmm'? That's all you say," Marcus embarked on his familiar trail of complaints, "If you can’t win Daphne over in this lifetime, don’t bother getting married."
Without much thought, Charles agreed, "Okay."
Marcus paused, looking at him as if gauging the truthfulness of his response, "Really, just okay?"
"Hmm," Charles replied calmly, still feeling foreign to the notion of marriage. Though, after witnessing his parents' life, he felt he was starting to grasp something, if only a little.
"Fine," Marcus accepted.
As they chatted a bit more, just when Marcus asked Charles to place a call to inquire into Daphne's whereabouts, the butler walked in with Daphne, "Sir, Miss Murphy has arrived."
Both Marcus and Charles looked up.
Seeing Daphne arrive, Marcus immediately stood up to greet her, his eyes brimming with joy, "Daphne!"
"Marcus, happy birthday," Daphne greeted him.
She was dressed in a warm-toned sweater that day, with a beret perched on her head, looking less aloof and gentler than usual.
Marcus beckoned her over, "Good, good, come in and sit down!"
"Okay," Daphne nodded.
As Daphne settled into her seat, the butler handed something to Marcus and spoke up, "Sir, this is a gift prepared for you by Miss Murphy."
Marcus responded, "Your visit alone is joy enough, why bother with a gift?" Despite his words, the happiness on his face was evident.
That's how it often is with the elderly. They're happy just to have you there, no gift necessary. But if you show up and bring a present too, their joy knows no bounds.
Marcus unwrapped the gift and, upon seeing what was inside, his smile broadened,and he couldn't stop grinning.
Daphne had gifted him a set of vintage chess.
The chess set was an antique collector's dream, with smoothly finished pieces that felt great in the hand, crafted from onyx, jade, amber, and serpentine. The crafting process was detailed and complex.
It was a treasure many desired, but few could acquire.
"Daphne, where did you find this?" Marcus admired the chess piece in his hand, thrilled beyond words. "I've wanted to add this to my collection for ages but could never find it."
Daphne smiled slightly, "I'm glad you like it."
"Come on!" Marcus exclaimed with excitement, "Play a game with me."
"Sure." Daphne usually agreed to Marcus's requests.
Charles just sat there, watching Daphne and Marcus play chess. With a refined grip on the pieces, her slender, pale fingers moved expertly, and she was completely absorbed in the game.
Watching Daphne play was a delight. She sat there, making her moves now and then, like a captivating painting that held one's gaze.
At some point during the game, Marcus finally remembered his grandson was there. After placing a piece, he asked, "Daphne, what do you think of Charles, this rascal here?"
Daphne glanced reflexively at Charles.
She'd noticed him the moment she walked in, sitting off to the side in the courtyard. His casual attire made him even more attractive than usual. She had quickly looked away after a brief glance.
She knew exactly who he was. "What specifically are you referring to?" Daphne said as she placed another piece.
Marcus picked up a chess piece, speaking at the same casual pace, "His looks."
"Can't complain," was Daphne's concise response. She didn't like to lie, nor saw a need for it.
Charles was good-looking, especially more so in casual clothes than in a suit. Away from the business world's chilling vibe, he had an air of refreshing charisma about him.
"What about considering taking him home?" Marcus said with a chuckle, offering a suggestion, "Keep him there like an ornament, a pleasure to look at indeed."
Both Daphne and Charles fell silent.
Charles felt it was necessary to interject, "Marcus, I am a person, you know."
Marcus shook his head in frustration, "What's wrong with people, can't they be decorative?" He clucked his tongue, the disappointment clear in his tone. "You might want to be decorative, but that depends on whether Daphne wants you or not, right, Daphne?"
Charles shifted his gaze, his eyes unapologetically landing on Daphne.
Daphne remained composed, responding to their conversation with just a phrase, "Marcus, it's your move."
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