Chapter 203 Charles Visits the Murphy Family
“Do you have a timeline for this meeting?” Mark didn’t probe further, taking it as a normal encounter.
“Anytime.”
“All right.”
Mark was efficient at his job.
By the following day, he had organized a meeting between the two. Upon hearing it was Charles, Murphy had invited him to meet at the family estate.
When Daphne got this news, she was still at Frontier Capital Group.
“Are you sure you heard it right?” Daphne, phone in hand, felt a tinge of existential doubt upon hearing what was said on the other end.
“Positive. At this point, Charles is probably already there.” Gavin was usually well-informed about the estate happenings. “But whatever he’s doing going to the estate…”
Daphne’s once calm demeanor was disturbed once more.
Thinking about Charles's antics, she muttered, “Suicidal.”
To prevent Charles from causing a disaster, Daphne delegated the matter to Jesse, and then drove herself towards the family estate.
Murphy had a particular way of dealing with people; if he didn't care for someone, he'd wrap up the conversation in less than ten minutes. However, if he liked them, he could talk for hours on end. Knowing this, it was a safe bet that Murphy was fond of Charles, given his looks and family background.
Daphne, mulling over this, drove even faster. The thought of Charles suggesting a merger between their families worried her. If he proposed it, Murphy would surely agree.
Should that happen, Murphy would announce a merger between the Murphy Group and the Lancelot Group, and that's when things would really spiral out of control.
Meanwhile, at the Murphy household, Charles had been casually chatting with Murphy ever since he arrived. Mark played the role of an accessory, standing behind Charles, watching the two men share tea and conversation.
"Do you truly intend to offer so much to the Murphy Group?" Murphy asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he looked favorably at Charles.
Charles, the cut of his suit making him look suave yet aloof, replied measuredly, "As long as you agree to my recent requests, everything I said will be honored."
"No problem!" Murphy replied briskly.
Charles took a prepared agreement from Mark and handed it over. "In that case, please sign here."
Murphy skimmed the document with growing satisfaction before picking up a pen and signing it.
Mark didn't quite know how to feel watching this unfold; it was a complicated moment for him.
"Now that you're here, stay for lunch before you go," Murphy suggested warmly, genuinely pleased with Charles. "It just so happens to be a good opportunity to spend time with me."
"Sure," Charles replied, his politeness tinged with detachment.
Moments later, each man held a copy of the signed agreement. Murphy instructed someone to secure his copy, while Charles had Mark take care of his copy. Beyond the three of them, no one else was aware.
Daphne arrived just by lunchtime. Both Murphy and Charles were surprised to see her; neither expected her to show up.
"What brings you here?" asked Murphy, clearly surprised.
Daphne glanced at Charles and casually made an excuse, "Just went back to get some things." Given that she had a room in the old family home, her excuse didn't seem too far-fetched.
Murphy's demeanor didn't seem to change as he heard her. "Well, since you're here, join us for lunch," he said, his brows slightly furrowing with the invitation. "We happen to have a guest."
"Okay," Daphne accepted. She just wanted to know what Charles was doing there.
Murphy glanced over at the two of them and took the opportunity to make an excuse to leave. Daphne grew even more suspicious at this. When had Murphy ever acted like this?
"Charles, I'll head back to the office to deal with some things," Mark said, knowing he wasn't suited to stay there any longer. "If you need to come back later, give me a call, and I'll have someone pick you up."
Charles responded indifferently, "Sure."
Soon thereafter, it was only Daphne and Charles that were left in the yard.
Daphne looked into Charles' eyes, filled with mistrust, and her question carried a hint of emotion, "What are you doing here?"
Charles's dark eyes met hers, filled with her image.
He had the urge to respond with the same detachment as she had, ‘It's none of your business.’ But he knew that such an answer would only push her further away until they were strangers.
Daphne waited for an answer, thinking, ‘Why isn't he speaking?’
"I came to discuss some business with Murphy," Charles said, his tone light, leisurely sipping his tea.
"What business?" she asked with a hint of annoyance.
"It's work-related," he replied tersely.
Daphne looked at him skeptically. Ever since her father had merged his business with her mother's, Murphy had handed over all affairs to her dad. Therefore, it was unlikely there was any work-related issue with Murphy.
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Murphy," said Charles as he set down his teacup and stood up, his suit making him look particularly handsome.
Daphne didn't bother asking Murphy. She knew that she wouldn't get anything out of him. Besides, she might end up being questioned about her experience yesterday at the singles mixer.
Since returning to the lounge, she had stuck with Evan and had no contact with anyone else. If Summer reported it to Murphy, it could even result in another arranged meeting.
Unless it’s truly necessary, she tried to avoid coming here altogether.
Daphne watched him for a moment before asking again, "What business were you two discussing?"
"If it's business, it's confidential," Charles stepped closer to her, his presence enveloping Daphne, "It can't be revealed to outsiders."
Daphne couldn't find any loopholes in his words and eventually dropped the subject.
Also, she had made up her mind, considering that if Charles was here for a marriage arrangement, Murphy would surely bring it up at dinner. If not, there was no need for her to interfere. Whatever Murphy was up to, as long as it didn't concern her, she wouldn’t bother herself with it.
Ten minutes later, the butler called them to lunch. The meal was unusually quiet; not a single person uttered a word at the table.
Daphne felt a bit uncomfortable, as previous meals here were always accompanied by some scolding from Murphy on marriage, career, or studies. Usually, there was always something he would complain about.
Evan and Lydia were always among the first to be discussed when it was time for evening conversation at the dinner table. However, that day the table was unusually quiet, and not a word was spoken by Murphy even after everyone had finished their meals.
After lunch, Daphne spent a little time with the elderly, but since the topic of arranged marriage wasn't mentioned, she decided not to bring it up and planned to leave. She informed Murphy that she was about to head out.
No sooner had she spoken than Charles also chimed in, "I won't stay any longer either; I've got some business to attend to at the company."
"All right," Murphy said, looking pleased with Charles, yet there was an indefinable complexity in his eyes, "Come visit us again when you have the chance."
"Will do," Charles replied politely.
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