Chapter 530 Old Friend
Diana's task wasn't a secret; she had promised to help Charles recover his memories.
It sounded easy enough, but once she started, she realized just how complicated it was.
Diana had no experience in this field, so she began by researching and learning as much as she could.
She heard that listening to music might help, so she and Charles listened to songs for three days. He even learned to sing them, but his memories remained elusive.
Diana figured that maybe Charles wasn't into music before, so it didn't work.
Next, she tried reading books. She picked out some from Charles's bookshelf at the Percy Mansion.
Charles thought she was just trying to keep him entertained and was touched by her gesture.
He didn't mention that he had read those books back in high school and simply read them again.
A week later, Diana visited Charles with renewed hope, but he still shook his head with a smile, remembering nothing.
"Why can't you remember? These methods are all from the books," Diana said, frustrated, sitting by his bed and resisting the urge to pull her hair.
Charles gently freed her hair from her hands and comforted her, "Let's try something else. I'll keep trying."
Diana had heard this from him so many times that it was almost a mantra, but there was still no progress.
She sighed, realizing that recovering memories couldn't be rushed. "It's okay. How's your leg doing?"
Charles nodded. He was recovering quickly. The gunshot wound hadn't hit the bone, so while he couldn't walk yet, he could move around a bit.
"Then let's wait a bit longer. Once you're out of the hospital, we'll try recreating some scenarios."
Diana finally conceded.
Although Eugene's idea sounded unreliable, it was worth a shot.
"Okay," Charles agreed with a slight smile. He wanted to ruffle her hair but feared it might scare her, so he just clenched his fist around the blanket.
Their conversation was soon interrupted by a phone call. Diana glanced at the screen, gestured to Charles, and stepped out to take the call.
As soon as she left, Charles's smile vanished, replaced by a dark expression.
If he wasn't mistaken, the voice on the other end of the call was a man's.
A completely unfamiliar voice. The first thing the man said was, "Diana, do you remember me?"
The man spoke to Diana with a familiarity that Charles couldn't even muster, despite them being legally married.
A wave of jealousy and insecurity washed over him. Charles opened a drawer and pulled out a mirror.
The reflection showed his sickly, gaunt face, looking weak and defeated.
In a fit of frustration, he shoved the mirror back into the drawer and slammed it shut.
The loud noise didn't catch Diana's attention as she continued her call outside.
Charles felt a burning sensation in his chest, his blood boiling, and his throat constricted as if filled with smoke.
He could only alleviate the suffocating feeling by gasping for air.
Something fell to the floor, snapping Diana out of her conversation.
She hurriedly opened the door to find Charles collapsed on the ground, his previously bandaged leg bleeding from the impact.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she rushed to his side. "What happened? How did you fall?"
Realizing she was still on the phone, she quickly said, "I have to go. Something came up."
Charles, supported by her arm, lifted his head with difficulty, his eyes red as if he were about to cry. "I'm fine. I just wanted some water."
"You could've just called me. I was right outside," Diana scolded, trying to make sense of his actions.
"You were on the phone. I didn't want to bother you. I already feel like a burden," Charles said, his head hanging low.
Diana couldn't stay mad at him.
Over the past few days, she had noticed that 17-year-old Charles was particularly sensitive and insecure.
Any sign of impatience or displeasure from her would make him look like a forlorn puppy, as if the whole world had let him down.
If he were more assertive or domineering, Diana would have had no problem arguing with him and then parting ways. But this situation was the hardest to handle.
She couldn't scold him or ignore him. Diana felt like she was turning into a kindergarten teacher, constantly coaxing him.
Resigned, she sighed and comforted him, "You're the patient. Your needs come first. Next time, don't try to do things on your own. Just call me, or I'll have a nurse watch you around the clock."
Charles quickly shook his head. The thought of having a male nurse, especially after the attack, gave him a psychological shadow.
He preferred Diana's company whenever possible.
"If you don't want a nurse, then behave," Diana said, calling in the security guards to help lift him back onto the bed.
She also summoned a nurse to re-bandage his wound. After all the commotion, Diana was too exhausted to speak.
Charles watched her with a smile, and once she settled down, he asked, "Who was on the phone? Was it something important at work?"
"No," Diana shook her head.
Zachary had been behaving lately, not causing any trouble. With Dean's help, her workload had lightened considerably.
"Just an old friend."
"An old friend," Charles repeated, rolling the words around in his mouth. "Was it a man or a woman? Are you planning to meet this old friend?"
Diana sensed something was off. She sat up straight and frowned, "Are you spying on me?"
Charles's expression froze for a moment before he quickly put on a friendly smile.
"No, I was just asking. Since you're taking care of me, you don't have time to see friends. If you want to meet him, just go. Don't worry about me."
How considerate.
Diana looked at his face, unable to tell if he was being sincere.
After a moment, she decided to trust him and said honestly, "It's just a business meeting. We'll see each other at the office."
Business meeting, office, meeting—these words swirled in Charles's mind.
In the end, he chose not to ask further and changed the subject.
Diana noticed his lack of interest in the "old friend" and felt relieved.
If Charles remembered, he would have guessed that this old friend was his most hated rival in love, Billy.
Billy, as Isolde had mentioned, was now divorced and had full control of the Richardson Group, no longer needing to listen to his father.
While managing the Percy Group, Diana discovered that there was no collaboration between the Percy Group and the Richardson Group.
It seemed like a missed opportunity, given that a partnership could be mutually beneficial.
She couldn't understand why Charles, who was always so profit-driven, hadn't pursued it.
As if reading her mind, the Richardson Group expressed interest in a collaboration.
In the past, the staff would have immediately turned Billy away, but with Diana in charge, she accepted the proposal.
It wasn't out of personal interest but because it was advantageous for both companies.
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