Chapter 423 Initiative
Noticing Nolan's gaze, Charles put down the document in his hand and glanced at him, lifting his lips slightly, "What's up?"
Nolan snapped back to reality and cleared his throat, "Mr. Percy, Mr. Bailey wants to know when he can head back to Evergreen City this time."
Hearing it was about Eugene, Charles withdrew his gaze and replied coldly, "I see he's been pretty idle lately, so I set this up on purpose. The Bailey Group and the Percy Group's collaboration needs Eugene's effort."
With that, he continued reading his document, no longer concerned with the matter.
Nolan stood there, outwardly calm but inwardly grumbling.
This basically meant Eugene could return whenever Charles felt like it. Poor Eugene, what did he do to deserve being sent off to fish?
"How's the White family doing?" Charles suddenly asked, snapping Nolan out of his thoughts.
"We're following the contract, but Ms. White seems to have other ideas," Nolan reported honestly.
Given recent developments, the broken engagement had severely impacted the White family and Stella's career.
Recalling what Diana said last night, Charles raised an eyebrow and said, "Whatever she wants, give it to her. Aren't there two large apartments in the south of the city? Give those to her too."
"Ms. White doesn't want those things," Nolan replied.
She had said that such cold money meant nothing to her.
Nolan had wanted to retort, 'If you don't want the money, can I have it? I love cold, hard cash.'
But his strong professional ethics kept him from saying it, allowing him to calmly report to Charles now.
"She hopes Mr. Percy can spend more time with her..."
Nolan began to relay Stella's request but was cut off by Charles.
"Don't bother telling me things like that in the future," Charles said, rubbing his temples, feeling the headache from last night's hangover intensify.
Nolan nodded, "Alright, I'll let Ms. White know."
At the Percy Mansion.
Benjamin had slept fitfully last night, not having overheard the conversation between Diana and Charles.
As soon as he woke up, he was eager to ask Diana about it.
By the time they got up, Charles had already left for work. With him gone, mother and son felt much more at ease.
They sat on the swing in the backyard, enjoying the warm morning sun.
"Mommy, did you argue with him yesterday?" Benjamin asked, swinging his little legs and turning to look at Diana, who had her eyes closed, resting.
"No, we were just talking about some things," Diana replied without opening her eyes.
"Was it about that lady?"
Benjamin, perceptive beyond his years, could infer the underlying events from small details.
Diana wasn't surprised by his question.
She opened her eyes, smiled, and ruffled his hair, "Yes, it was about her."
"Okay," Benjamin drawled.
Now that Charles no longer had a fiancée and his mommy was living here, weren't they practically a family of three?
Charles just didn't know Diana's true identity yet.
Remembering how Charles had protected him and other details, Benjamin found himself disliking Charles less.
At least he was glad his father wasn't as cold and heartless as the rumors said.
But he still didn't know what Diana thought.
Deep down, Benjamin still longed for his father's love.
Benjamin sighed at the thought.
Diana turned her head, surprised. Why was Benjamin, so young, sighing like that?
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Benjamin pouted slightly, speaking slowly, "I was just thinking about how to tell him about my birthday."
Seeing him troubled by this, Diana raised an eyebrow, "What's the big deal? Just tell him, Benjamin. Since when did you become shy?"
"I'm not shy," Benjamin protested.
He was just afraid of being rejected or brushed off, turning his most anticipated birthday into the worst one ever.
"If he refuses, we'll leave," Benjamin said, voicing his true thoughts.
Diana considered Charles' temperament. He might indeed refuse.
To cheer Benjamin up, she added, "Then we'll have Dean throw us a birthday party when we get back."
Benjamin nodded, feeling much better, and smiled, swinging his legs more vigorously.
Perhaps his words had reminded Diana of something. Her eyes suddenly brightened, and she grabbed Benjamin's arm with one hand, suggesting, "Let's go to the company and find Charles."
"Why?" Benjamin asked.
Although they could come and go from the Percy Mansion, they were always followed by bodyguards. After a while, Benjamin had grown to dislike going out.
"Let's go out a few more times. That way, it won't seem so sudden when we leave together," Diana explained.
Though she was assigned to accompany Benjamin, like a nanny, taking him out suddenly would be difficult.
Today, she could test Charles' attitude, see how much he would tolerate their activities.
Benjamin, initially indifferent, became interested.
The last time he went to the Percy Group Building was for a press conference, and he had only stayed briefly in the lobby, not getting a full tour.
"Okay, but what excuse will we use?" he asked.
Diana's eyes sparkled with an idea. She stood up quickly, "We'll bring him lunch."
Or medicine, anything really, as long as it gave them a reason to go to the Percy Group Building.
Jacob was always very accommodating to anyone showing concern for Charles.
As long as they weren't bringing a bomb, he was happy to see someone care for Charles.
Benjamin didn't quite understand why this excuse was good, but he trusted Diana. He quickly climbed off the swing and said, "I'll go tell Mr. Hearst!"
"Alright," Diana agreed.
Inside the mansion, Jacob was inspecting the servants' work.
Benjamin and Diana had returned from somewhere, their dirty shoes and fallen leaves ruining the spotless floor.
The servants gaped silently, turning to look at the pair with Jacob.
"Ms. Wipere, is there something you need?" Jacob asked patiently, noting it wasn't mealtime yet and wondering why they were so excited.
"Mr. Hearst, I want to see Mr. Percy," Benjamin said first, looking up with wide, pleading eyes, as if he might cry if refused.
Jacob closed his notebook and bent down, replying patiently, "Mr. Percy usually comes home in the evening. You can see him then."
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