Chapter 480 What Is Needed Is Time
"Charles," Brian suddenly piped up.
Charles glanced over, still rockin' that whatever look.
Brian bit his lip, hesitated a sec, then said, "Dude, see a shrink. If you're cool with it, I can hook you up for free."
"Nah, I'm good."
"You know you need it, man."
"Mr. Lancelot, just give it a shot."
Ever since they got back from Gedser, Mark could totally tell Charles was spiraling.
"Hypnosis ain't cutting it anymore," Brian cut to the chase. "Mental stuff needs mental fixes. Get your head right, and everything else will follow."
"I'm fine." Charles knew his own body.
Brian thought he was being a stubborn mule.
"I get it, you're all guilty and regretful because of the past," Brian laid it out. "But Daphne's moved on. You risked your neck to make things right. No need to keep beating yourself up. And what happened after, that's on me, not you."
Brian never saw this coming for Charles. If he had, he wouldn't have messed with Daphne as a trigger.
Charles was chill, like he couldn't even get mad anymore. "I don't need a doc, just time."
He was sure he wasn't sick, just had some baggage. Maybe he'd deal with it, maybe not.
"You want me to go tell Daphne about your mess?" Brian tried to play hardball again.
He thought the same trick would work, but nope.
Charles's voice was low, his face annoyingly perfect. "Benjamin already popped the question. If you wanna get your ass kicked, go ahead."
Mark's face was a mix of emotions. He sighed inside, feeling powerless.
"What about your folks?" Brian switched gears, getting serious. "Aren't you scared they'll find out? If you don't play ball, I'll show 'em your medical report."
"How childish." Charles didn't even flinch.
"Your call." Brian knew he was being a pain, but he couldn't just watch Charles crash and burn. "Handle it how you want."
"Doing this just piles on more stress," Charles said calmly, his voice steady. "You want me to force myself into therapy? You know how that'll end."
Brian was about to lose it. How could Charles still be so chill?
"Therapy works best when you want it," Charles said earnestly. "Forcing it just makes it worse."
"So, you're just giving up on yourself?" Brian snapped.
Charles stayed cool, "I bust my ass, care for my family, and take everything seriously. How's that giving up?"
"You're not eating right, not sleeping well."
"Can you promise you eat and sleep the same every day?"
"Man, you're just being a pain!"
"You're the one making it hard."
Brian was fuming, but he couldn't win this argument.
Charles had enough and turned to Mark, "Cut ties with Brian. Don't let him back here."
"Got it," Mark replied.
"Once it's done, you won't get me back easily," Brian warned. "Even if you throw millions of dollars at me, I might not come."
Charles, ice-cold, said, "Do it."
Mark got right on it.
Brian thought Charles was being a total brick wall!
When Mark brought over the termination papers, Brian didn't sign right away. He handed them back. "I'll give you a month to think it over. If you still wanna end it, I'll sign then."
"Nope, sign it now," Charles wasn't dragging this out.
Brian stormed out, ignoring him completely.
Mark, seeing this, was a bit unsure. "Mr. Lancelot..."
"Keep the papers. Hand 'em over next time he shows up."
"Okay."
After all that, Brian was gone.
Seeing Charles looking beat, Mark hesitated and said, "You should listen to Brian. Keep this up, and even your good looks might take a hit."
Charles wondered if he even cared about his looks.
"Ms. Murphy was so into your looks," Mark added.
Charles paused. Daphne had always praised him, especially his looks.
"This world ain't too big," Mark said, his voice low. "You're in the same circles. You might bump into her at a party. Do you want Ms. Murphy to be glad she ditched you?"
Charles's eyes finally showed some life. "If you can't talk sense, zip it."
Daphne wasn't like that.
But he found himself kinda worried.
"Even if Ms. Murphy doesn't care, what about her friends?" Mark silently apologized to Daphne in his head.
"I won't go to any parties," Charles replied. "Problem solved."
Mark said, "Then they'll think you're dead. Or hiding 'cause you're disfigured."
"You still need to rest and eat right," Mark said seriously, genuinely worried. "The Lancelot Group is huge. If you croak from no sleep or get stomach cancer, then what?"
Charles pinched the bridge of his nose.
He felt like Mark really had to work harder on his convincing people.
"Get out."
"Mr. Lancelot..."
"If you don't leave, I'll call your folks and set you up on a blind date."
Mark bolted, knowing Charles would follow through after all the crap he said.
"The kitchen's got lunch ready. Eat something," Mark reminded as he reached the door. "Even if you can't sleep, you gotta eat."
Charles didn't respond, just watched him leave.
After sitting for a bit, he got up and headed to the kitchen.
Outside, Brian ran into Hayden and Laura as soon as he stepped out.
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