Chapter 329 They Have Arrived
"I get it, no confusion." Lydia smiled innocently. "You go ahead; I'll handle the rest."
Daphne was sure Lydia's 'no confusion' was definitely a misunderstanding.
"Come to my place at noon on Christmas Eve," Benjamin said, trying to make it easy for Daphne. "As long as they see you, it doesn't matter if we eat or not."
"Really?" Daphne asked.
If so, this was the best option.
Benjamin just hummed in response.
With that settled, the four of them started eating. During the meal, Nick was super attentive to Lydia. Nick anticipated her desires even before she could formulate them, procuring the item promptly.
His level of care made even Daphne feel a bit inadequate.
Sometimes she wondered if Nick spoiling Lydia like this would make her too dependent.
But then she thought, 'Lydia's always been independent when I'm not around, so it should be fine.'
After dinner, a driver picked them up in a seven-seater.
After dropping off Benjamin and Nick, the driver took Daphne and Lydia home.
When Daphne returned, the bodyguards at the door looked surprised, then called out, "Ms. Daphne Murphy, Ms. Lydia Murphy."
Daphne asked, "Is Dad home?"
"Yes." They hesitated.
Daphne sensed something was off. "What's wrong?"
"Ms. Carter and Mrs. Hayes are here," one bodyguard said. "Mr. Murphy didn't want to let them in, but it was snowing and they were lightly dressed, so he had to."
"Got it." Daphne didn't mind much; this wasn't her mom Jasmine Phillips' usual place. "You don't have to stand out here. Go to the monitoring room and come out if anything seems off."
"No way!" they said in unison.
Daphne and Lydia looked puzzled.
"Don't worry; your salary and bonuses will still be paid," Daphne added, thinking that was their concern.
"It's not that," one of the bodyguards said. "Standing outside looks more imposing than being in the monitoring room."
Daphne was a bit confused by this logic.
"Ms. Daphne Murphy, Ms. Lydia Murphy, you should go inside," the bodyguard smiled, showing they got along well with Daphne. "It's cold out here. If it gets unbearable, we'll go inside."
"Don't push yourselves," Daphne said, knowing they were stubborn.
"Yes, Ms. Daphne Murphy!" they replied, standing tall.
After Daphne retreated indoors, the duo stood sentinel-like, exuding a sense of vigor.
They thought simply, 'When we didn't know what to do, Daphne gave us this job, trained us, and paid us well. So, we have to protect her home.'
When Daphne and Lydia entered, Sophia and Summer were sitting in the living room, with Alexander opposite them, looking worried.
Hearing the door open, Alexander instinctively looked over. He stood up and walked towards it. When he saw Daphne and Lydia, he froze, looking uneasy.
"Daphne." Alexander was nervous, not expecting her back today.
Would Daphne misunderstand? He had let Sophia and Summer in, but he had no choice.
"Yeah." Daphne walked over with Lydia. "Busy?"
From this spot, the living room wasn't visible.
"Not busy." Alexander still didn't know why Sophia and Summer had come. "They said they had something to discuss. Since it was snowing heavily, I let them in to talk."
Daphne paused. The bodyguard had said Alexander initially tried to stop them.
The bodyguard wouldn't lie, so Alexander didn't succeed in stopping them and didn't mention that part.
"Okay." Daphne nodded.
Alexander was anxious. "You're not mad, are you?"
"Not mad, as long as they don't eat or stay here." Daphne could handle it calmly now and called him, "Dad."
Alexander was a bit confused, feeling Daphne had suddenly matured a lot.
"You are Lydia's and my dad. When talking to us, you don't need to," Daphne spoke softly, choosing her words carefully, "be so cautious. You don't owe us anything."
If she were in Jasmine and Alexander's position back then, she might not have done better.
In the two families' marriage alliance, Jasmine couldn't resist Kieran, and Alexander couldn't resist Sean. They both had people they liked but were forced together for the sake of interests. They had done their best.
Even now, those who claimed they would stay single forever, how many could truly stick to it? Family pressure was much greater than just parental pressure.
Daphne and Lydia had grown up happily and healthily, which was already very good.
"Daphne." Alexander felt even more complicated.
After some thought, Daphne hugged him , embracing the man who had always worried about her.
If only Jasmine were still here.
If Daphne had focused all her energy on studying medicine, could she have saved Jasmine when even Richard was helpless?
But there were no 'ifs' in this world, and time didn't stop or rewind for anything.
Alexander stiffened, his eyes reddening. His Daphne.
"Daphne, I want a hug too." Lydia, always the cheerful one, lightened the mood at the right moment.
Alexander doted on Charles and Lydia. "Even jealous of me!"
Lydia said with a playful tone and mischievous eyes, "Daphne belongs to me; I'm her preferred companion."
Alexander poked her forehead. The atmosphere lightened.
Alexander then invited them to join the discussion, "Since you're back, come along. They just arrived and don't know why they're here."
Daphne didn't want to go; it had nothing to do with her.
But Lydia pulled her along. "Come on; let's go together!"
When Sophia and Summer saw Daphne, they instinctively tensed up, a subtle emotion flickering in their eyes.
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