Chapter 324 Return to The Lancelot Mansion
Charles was skeptical. Was Hayden really his dad?
"If you're worried about fitting in, I can introduce you to everyone in the Lancelot family and give you some tips," Daphne said casually.
"Do you really want me to go back?" Charles asked, feeling a bit annoyed.
"Yes," Daphne replied honestly.
"Can you come to Ivrea City to pick me up after Christmas?" Charles asked.
"Me?" Daphne was surprised.
"Yeah, I want you to pick me up," Charles insisted.
"Alright," Daphne agreed. "But I can't come directly to the Lancelot family to get you."
Daphne wanted to avoid giving Marcus and Laura the impression that they were rekindling their relationship by going to the Lancelot Mansion.
Charles knew he didn't have much choice. With both Daphne and Hayden involved, he couldn't refuse.
"Fine, but you have to come the day after Christmas," Charles said.
Daphne looked at Hayden, who nodded, so she agreed.
After dinner, Hayden went to a hotel and told Charles they had to leave within three days.
Over the next three days, Daphne introduced Charles to everyone in the Lancelot family and shared some background stories. She also introduced his friends, including Austin, just in case.
As time passed swiftly, Hayden arrived to collect Charles, despite his hesitance.
"Remember to stick to the personality I told you about," Daphne advised. "With your acting skills, you'll be fine."
"Got it," Charles agreed.
"Acting skills?" Hayden was surprised. "Charles can act?"
Daphne explained briefly, leaving out Charles's history of lying and deceit, just mentioning his talent for acting.
Hayden took a closer look at Charles but didn't say much.
After making sure everything was clear, Hayden took Charles away.
They arrived at the Lancelot Mansion at 3 PM. Hayden adjusted his clothes, looking calm and composed.
"Mr. Hayden Lancelot, Mr. Charles Lancelot, you're back," the butler said, surprised.
"Yes," Hayden replied calmly. "Are Rex and my dad here?"
"They are," the butler nodded. "Mr. Lancelot just got back and brought a lot of things. They're in the main hall."
Hayden led Charles inside.
As soon as they appeared, Marcus, Laura, and Rex focused on Charles, clearly not expecting him.
"Charles?"
"Charles?"
"Weren't you not coming back?"
They all spoke up at once.
Hayden glanced at Charles and said, "He wasn't planning to come back. It took a lot of effort to convince him."
Charles thought, 'Really? Wasn't it Daphne who did all the talking?'
"Charles, what were you busy with in Gedser?" Rex whispered, curious. "Were you chasing Daphne?"
Charles glanced at Rex and thought, "This brother might come in handy."
Marcus's initial joy at seeing Charles quickly faded, proving Hayden's point about his fleeting interest.
"Why go to all that trouble?" Marcus grumbled, trying to sound tough but clearly soft-hearted. "If he doesn't want to come back, then don't. It's not like this big house is missing him."
Marcus was a bit upset. In the past, no matter how busy he was, Charles would call him every month and come back early for Christmas. Now, Charles hadn't contacted him for months, and when he did return, he didn't even greet him, just stood there like a lord. He needed to be put in his place.
"I didn't want to come back either; he forced me," Charles blurted out, no longer the same person he used to be.
Charles couldn't understand why Daphne wanted him back when no one in this family seemed to like him.
Fuming, he turned and left the main hall, navigating the Lancelot family layout Daphne had shown him, and found his room.
Everyone, including Hayden, was surprised by his reaction.
Laura quickly stepped forward, speaking gently, "Charles, what's wrong?"
Charles wanted to say, "Don't you all dislike me?" But seeing Laura's worried eyes, he couldn't.
"Nothing, just tired from the flight," Charles said, softening his tone. "I'll go rest."
He left, and Laura couldn't stop him.
"Charles!" Laura called after him.
"Let him be," Hayden said, holding Laura back. "He'll be fine after some time."
"What's wrong with him?" Laura was genuinely worried. She had never seen him so hostile and distant. "Did something happen to him outside?"
Marcus and Charles had always had a dynamic where Marcus scolded and Charles calmly resolved things. To outsiders, Marcus seemed harsh, but Charles had always felt happy and thought of Marcus as a stubborn old man. They might argue, but they cared deeply for each other.
"What's wrong with Charles?" Marcus was also puzzled.
"I don't know," Hayden said, not giving a direct answer. "Let him rest, and you can ask him later."
The atmosphere in the main hall was tense.
Laura and Marcus appeared anxious, while Rex seemed unperturbed.
A moment later, Marcus went to find Charles. When he entered the room, he saw Charles holding his phone. As soon as Charles saw him, he turned off the screen and put the phone down, his face full of disdain. "What are you doing here?"
Marcus was hurt by the look and cold attitude.
But he wasn't angry. He knew Charles's personality. If it weren't for something significant, he wouldn't act like this.
"I was impulsive earlier," Marcus said, not too proud to apologize to Charles. "I'm here to say sorry."
Charles was stunned; the hostility and coldness in his heart instantly melted away.
Looking at Marcus, who was over fifty with graying hair, Charles felt a surge of complex emotions.
From his perspective, Marcus should be a stubborn, highly self-respecting person. Why would he come to apologize?
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
