Chapter 168 Doesn't Get Taken Away by a Douchebag
As they were talking, the door to the private room opened, and Douglas walked in, looking at his phone.
The moment he sat down on the sofa, he sent a text message: [Mrs. Semona, don't worry. I'll be home by ten.]
At this moment, it was 8:40 PM.
Douglas put down his phone and noticed that everyone's eyes were on him.
Charles immediately exclaimed, "Douglas, you're amazing. You have twins!"
Michael chimed in, "There must be a secret to having twins, right?"
Josh rolled his eyes. "Can't it just be a natural gift?"
Douglas frowned as he listened to everyone talking. "I didn't plan on having two kids."
The hardship of carrying two children was naturally doubled.
Sensing the situation, Charles quickly comforted him, "Douglas, don't worry. With today's advanced medical technology, Regina will definitely give birth safely."
Douglas didn't respond; just picked up a glass of wine from the table and took a silent sip.
For the sake of preparing for pregnancy, he had been extremely disciplined lately, almost quitting smoking and drinking, but tonight he drank a bit more. No one could tell what he was feeling.
Douglas sat in the private room for about forty or fifty minutes before he started feeling restless.
Charles naturally noticed his unease.
How to put it? Douglas now exuded the aura of a devoted husband. This kind of wild nightlife didn't suit him at all.
"Alright, Douglas, if you can't sit still, just head home. We can't hold onto your heart if it's not here. I'm not really feeling it either," Charles said after Douglas had downed a couple of drinks. "Should I have someone give you a ride?"
Douglas set his drink down and replied, "No need, Jason's here."
"Well, you better head out then. I heard there's a major storm brewing tonight. Don't leave Regina alone at home, she might be scared." Charles seemed to have figured out Douglas's routine and was covering all bases for him.
Douglas got up and clinked glasses with Michael and Josh one last time.
Michael teased, "So, Douglas, when's the wedding? You know I've been waiting to buy you a gift."
Josh chimed in, "Yeah, don't rush into it. Weddings aren't something you just throw together."
Douglas had indeed thought long and hard about the wedding. But with Regina pregnant, he figured planning a wedding right now might be too taxing for her.
"Let's hold off for a bit," he said. While his words might have sounded vague, he was busy making plans in the background.
Charles walked Douglas to the door. As they chatted and made their way to the elevator, Douglas couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. He realized he had been a bit neglectful of his friends lately, and with it being Charles' birthday, he felt bad about rushing off so quickly.
"Enjoy your night, Charles. If you need anything for your birthday, just let me know."
Charles couldn't help but think Douglas sounded like he was trying to appease someone. His face turned slightly red as he cleared his throat and said with a hint of shyness, "Will you get me whatever I want?"
"Sure thing."
Suddenly, Charles felt an inexplicable admiration for Douglas, as if he was captivated by Douglas.
As the two continued their casual conversation, nearing the elevator, Charles noticed a group of people approaching from the opposite direction.
Charles squinted and realized it was Philip approaching.
He seized the moment and raised his voice. "Douglas, congratulations! I hear Regina's pregnant with twins! How lucky can you get? I'll toast to you becoming a dad!"
Charles' words were clearly intended to make a point.
As expected, even from a distance, Charles could see the turbulence in Philip's eyes. Philip's steps suddenly faltered, and Mars, standing behind him, was visibly taken aback.
Recovering faster, Mars leaned in and whispered, "Mr. Sterling… We have urgent matters to handle. Edward's causing a scene."
The unspoken message was clear. "Don't let a verbal jab distract you from more pressing issues."
Hearing this, Philip resumed his stride, and both groups arrived at the elevator at nearly the same moment.
The atmosphere between them was palpable. Even with just Douglas and Charles, Douglas' presence was markedly more commanding compared to the crowd surrounding Philip.
It was evident what Philip lacked, and it showed.
As they got closer, Charles noticed the fury burning in Philip's eyes. He thought to himself, 'Is this really making Philip that mad?'
Charles continued, "Douglas, with both you and Regina having such strong genes, your kids are bound to be amazing. But if you have a daughter, make sure you protect her. Teach her to look for a man like you. And if it's a son, make sure he knows to cherish good women, not to mess around, and to be just like you."
Charles' words struck a nerve with Philip, hitting him where it hurt.
Philip remained silent, his mind consumed by those phrases: Regina's pregnant, with twins, and Douglas becoming a father.
Each word felt like a knife twisting in his heart.
As the elevator arrived, Philip watched Douglas step inside but couldn't bring himself to follow. At that moment, standing near Douglas felt like a crushing defeat.
The elevator doors closed.
Charles frowned, puzzled. "Douglas, why didn't you say anything? That was a perfect opportunity."
With Douglas' knack for words, anything he said would have been far more devastating than Charles' attempt.
Douglas remained quiet. For him, winning verbally against Philip was never something he cared about.
Charles only saw Philip's moment of defeat and his reddened eyes, but Charles missed that Douglas also had his own struggles.
Philip and his group waited for the next elevator. Philip occasionally checked his watch with visible impatience, while Mars was drawn to the watch itself.
Mars knew well that this watch was a Christmas gift from Regina to Philip three years ago. Despite whatever had transpired between them, Philip had worn that watch continuously.
Whether it was because of its special significance or just a habit, the watch had become more than a timepiece. It now served as a poignant reminder of the past.
