Chapter 358 Charles's Decision
Charles and Daphne ate breakfast in silence, both focused on their food.
By 9 AM, they were nearly done.
Charles, looking sharp and composed, crossed his hands on the table and asked, "Can we talk now?"
"About what?" Daphne replied.
"Why did you bring me back?" Charles asked bluntly.
"Didn't you come back willingly?" Daphne said calmly. "You stayed at a Murphy Group hotel so I could get the master key to your room, right?"
If it had been another hotel, she wouldn't have gotten the key so easily.
Charles thought she didn't know his plan.
"No," he denied, though pleased she guessed right. "I stayed there to mess with the Murphy Group."
"Then I misunderstood," Daphne said, standing up. "I'll have someone send you back."
Charles, always one to seize an opportunity, wouldn't make a fuss after all her effort to bring him back.
"You say jump, and I ask how high? Why?" he asked, concerned.
He looked at Daphne's unadorned yet beautiful face and said, "Daphne."
She looked up.
"You brought me back; does that mean you're ready to accept me?" Charles asked, knowing the answer but still hoping.
"No," Daphne said, then added, "I promised to take care of you like a younger brother, and I will."
Charles was angry; he didn't want to be treated like a brother. He wanted Daphne.
But he couldn't show his anger. Daphne, usually indifferent, had called him several times last night and even came to the hotel.
Knowing his intentions, she still played along. Daphne was both lovable and infuriating.
"One last question," Charles said, not wanting to push too hard.
"Go ahead," Daphne replied.
"If Benjamin had confessed to you last night, would you have rejected him so decisively?" Charles asked, watching her closely.
Daphne paused, imagining the scene.
She guessed she wouldn't have rejected Benjamin so firmly. Maybe because he had always been good to her, or for other reasons, she couldn't be so resolute.
Charles saw her silence and calm expression, unable to read her thoughts. He continued, "You know he wanted to confess to you. My call stopped him."
As long as she treated Benjamin the same, he could move on.
Daphne wanted to tell the truth but remembered Brian's words. She gave a half-truth. "I don't know."
"Is it 'I don't know' or 'I wouldn't refuse'?" Charles's eyes showed a hint of red, his gaze cold.
"I don't know," Daphne repeated.
Charles's emotions churned again.
Daphne noticed Charles's frustration and added, "For things that haven't happened, no one knows what they'd do. If you really want to know, I can call Benjamin now and ask if he likes me. That way, you'll get a real answer."
Charles felt like he was losing it. 'Is Daphne even thinking straight?' he wondered.
"No need," he said quickly.
"Let me know if you change your mind," Daphne replied.
Charles snorted. He should be angry, but Daphne's bluntness left him at a loss for words.
"Did you contact Brian?" Charles asked, giving her one last test. "To have him come back and help me recover my memory?"
Daphne didn't hide it. "Yes."
"Play a game with me, and I'll cooperate," Charles proposed.
"What game?" Daphne asked.
"Tomorrow, I'll send you a message. Just follow my instructions," Charles said, laying out his final plan. "Only the two of us can know about this. If you stick with me until the game ends, I'll do whatever you say."
"Okay," Daphne agreed.
A one-on-one game didn't worry her too much.
Charles cleaned up the table and then asked Daphne to join him for a walk.
She didn't refuse. Although his calm demeanor was a relief, it also made her uneasy, like something bad was looming.
"Daphne," Charles suddenly called.
"Yes?" she replied.
"You once said if you and Benjamin were in danger at the same time, you'd save me. Is that true?" Charles asked.
"Yes," Daphne confirmed.
"And if I were in danger and needed you to trade your life for mine?" Charles pressed.
"I would trade," Daphne said without hesitation.
Charles's hand tightened, and his complex emotions softened. "Are you willing to part with your family and friends for me?"
"No," Daphne admitted.
"If I hadn't saved you on Butterfly Island, would you still give the same answer?" Charles asked again.
Daphne rarely thought about hypotheticals. "There's no 'if'."
If he hadn't saved her, she would have died, and there'd be no future to consider.
Charles didn't ask any more questions. They walked in silence. Despite his anger and desire to be the only one in her heart, her sincere eyes and straightforward words always calmed him. He decided to leave everything to tomorrow.
They spent the rest of the morning wandering around. Near noon, Daphne planned to take Charles to eat, but they were stopped by an uninvited guest.
Summer looked at them, a perfect match, and nervously said, "Daphne, I need to talk to you."
"Go ahead," Daphne said calmly.
"I want to talk alone," Summer insisted, biting her lip, clearly tense. "It's important."
"There's nothing we need to discuss alone," Daphne replied indifferently. "Say it here."
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