Chapter 345 You Being Here Scares Me More
"No need, I trust you,", Daphne said, flipping on the light. "Are you sleeping in your room tonight or another empty one?"
Charles froze, his smile fading. He wanted to sleep with Daphne. How did it end up like this?
"I'm not sleeping,", he said, trying to look innocent. "I'll keep watch over you."
"Didn't you say you were scared? I'll stay by your bed,", he added seriously.
"No need,", Daphne replied.
"You being here scares me more,", she said honestly.
Charles was baffled but didn't think she was lying. "Why?"
"Anyone would freak out waking up to someone sitting, standing, or lying by their bed,", Daphne explained, shutting him down.
"You can leave the light on,", Charles suggested.
"I can't sleep with the light on,", Daphne countered.
"Daphne, let me do something for you,", he pleaded.
"As long as you're okay, I'm happy,", she said calmly. "It's late; go to sleep. Pick any room."
Charles knew he had messed up. He wanted to stay close to Daphne, but now he had to change his plan. In the end, he got nothing.
"Daphne,", he called out suddenly.
She turned. "Hmm?"
"Are you really scared?", he asked.
"If you're scared, I'm not,", she replied vaguely. "If you're not scared, I can handle it."
She went back to her room, closing the door and cutting off his view.
Charles stood there, his facade dropping, his eyes filled with frustration.
After a while, he went back to his room and saw an unread message on his phone.
Nina: [Don't forget my payment.];
Charles rubbed his phone, pursed his lips, and sent a message: [Is Daphne afraid of ghosts?];
Nina: [That'll cost extra.];
Charles: [Money's not an issue.];
Nina: [As far as I know, Daphne isn't afraid of ghosts. Other than kids and Lydia crying, there's probably nothing else she's afraid of.];
Charles' face darkened. Not afraid? Was Daphne lying, or did Nina not know her well?
Nina: [But I'm not 100% sure. Daphne rarely opens up. You'd need to ask her family and friends for a clear answer.];
Charles didn't reply.
From what he had gathered since returning to Ivrea City, Daphne's friends were loyal to her. If he tried to bribe them, they'd likely tell her right away.
He couldn't ask her friends, and her family, especially Lydia, clearly didn't like him.
So, his only option was Mark, who could get info from Jesse. Jesse had been Daphne's assistant for years and should know.
Thinking this, Charles called Mark.
Mark, still on vacation in Ivrea City, groggily answered his phone in the middle of the night. "Hello?"
"Are you sure Jesse knows Daphne well?", Charles asked calmly, his voice low.
Mark rubbed his eyes, got up, and put on his glasses. "I'm sure. Why?"
"Find out if Daphne is afraid of ghosts or anything like that,", Charles said, lowering his voice even more. "Don't let him know it's me asking."
Mark was stunned. Daphne afraid of ghosts?
He remembered when Charles and Daphne first got married, he had set up a room escape game to help them bond. Daphne had stayed calm, solving challenges in just over ten minutes that would take most people hours.
In the haunted house, it was supposed to be Charles protecting Daphne, but it ended up with Daphne protecting Charles. Not that Charles was scared, but Daphne was just very brave.
Mark didn't plan to share that. He hadn't told Daphne that Charles had fully recovered, and he wasn't about to betray her now.
"Why aren't you saying anything?", Charles asked after a pause.
"Why not test it out?", Mark suggested, setting a trap. "Dress up as a ghost and scare her. You'll find out right away."
Based on Mark's understanding of Daphne, she wouldn't be scared. She might even punch him!
"Come over tomorrow,", Charles decided.
Mark was confused. "I'm still in Ivrea City."
"Take a morning flight; you'll be in Gedser by noon,", Charles instructed. "Buy a realistic costume and find a reason to get Daphne to your place."
"Mr. Lancelot,", Mark called out tentatively.
Charles was calm. "What?"
"Do you have a grudge against Ms. Murphy?", Mark didn't want to be the bad guy. "Why are you always trying to scare her?"
"It was your idea, not mine,", Charles said coldly. "If you don't want to do it, go ask Jesse. I need an answer by midnight tomorrow."
Charles hung up, his demeanor icy, his eyes filled with danger.
If Daphne wasn't afraid of ghosts, then her earlier reaction meant one thing: she would rather lie to him than stay with him.
In that case, he would have to use some special methods.
Charles was determined to make Daphne his before Benjamin returned, even if it meant doing things she didn't like. His anger grew with these thoughts.
Meanwhile, Daphne wasn't thinking about his state. She directly messaged Nina: [How much did he pay you?];
Nina: [Daphne, what are you talking about?];
Daphne: [Do I need to check your transactions or chat history with him?];
Nina was silent. Daphne was just too good with technology. If only she could surpass her one day.
Nina: [I'm so sleepy, Daphne. I'm going to bed. Goodnight.];
Seeing her message, Daphne's suspicion turned into certainty.
Charles and Nina were indeed working together.
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