Marco’s phone suddenly rang, breaking the awkward silence, and he stepped outside to take the call
When he returned from the call, he realized that Daphne wasn’t at the desk, but he was sure she had left yet as her books were still on the desk, her bag on the seat.
Looking closely, he saw that she had left a note.
He picked it up and read through.
She was going to have lunch at the cafe nearby.
Marco smiled.
Even her handwriting was pretty.
Bringing out his cellphone, he sent her a message.
Marco: I’ll come meet you at the cafe.
Marco guessed Daphne would choose the nearest cafeteria.
When he arrived, he couldn’t find her at first, but then he heard her talking to Bram and followed the sound to find the two of them.
Marco joined them for lunch.
Daphne introduced the two: Bram was Daphne’s graduate school advisor and also a student of Professor Alistair.
Bram happened to already know Marco and he frequently ran into Marco visiting the professor and so he informed Daphne that Marco was Professor Alistair’s nephew.
The three realized their connections were surprisingly close and all found it quite a coincidence.
*******
After dinner, all three returned to the library.
Bram helped Daphne with her assignment, while Marco quietly appeared to be reading but internally, he was wishing Bram go just go away.
This was supposed to be an alone time for him and Daphne.
As if his prayers were heard, at 3:00 PM, Professor Alistair called Bram away.
After finishing their studies for the day, Daphne, out of politeness, invited Marco to walk back together.
Marco suggested taking a stroll on the sports field, and Daphne agreed.
A basketball game had just ended on the field.
As the crowd was dispersing, Daphne was bumped into and stumbled backward, but Marco reached out in time to steady her by the waist.
Once she regained her balance, Daphne thanked him and quickly put some distance between them; her heart was racing for no apparent reason.
Stephan, still savoring the sensation of her body in his arms, followed Daphne as she walked on.
Tristan was playing basketball at DN University when he spotted Daphne and Marco.
Everyone knew who Marco King was.
But looking closely and recognizing who the woman walking with him was took Tristan by surprise and thought their behavior was too suggestive, so he took a photo and sent it to the private group chat with Trevor, Dante, and himself.
Tristan: Look who I just saw.
Is she looking for a sugar daddy now?
Dante was the first to reply.
Dante: You’re one to talk.
You think everyone’s like you?
You’re the one always going to DN to look for sugar babies.
Tristan gasped on seeing the message, even though it was the truth.
Tristan: You!
Why do you always take Daphne’s side?
I’m your friend here!
The men continue to banter over the topic.
Meanwhile, after Trevor finished working overtime, he saw the group message.
He zoomed in on the photo and assumed Tristan had mistaken someone for Daphne.
He shot a message.
Trevor: This isn’t Daphne.
Maybe someone that looks like her because she definitely has no reason to show up at DN university.
Also, that woman has eyes only for me.
Trevor couldn’t even imagine a possibility where Daphne would want any other man except him.
He was very confident about that.
He then invited Tristan and Dante out for a get-together tomorrow evening, claiming he needed some advice.
Tristan teased
Tristan: What does the great Trevor need advice for?
Trevor: I just don’t know how to deal with a particular woman, the words to say to placate her so she can still stay by my side.
His friends already knew Mabel was back but he didn’t tell them yet that they were together again.
He decided it was time to.
Tristan: Who is this about?
Trevor: Daphne.
You two know Mabel is back, right?
So it’s only logical I get back together with her.
But I have to place Mabel higher than Daphne, you know, Mabel has a lot more to offer me so I broke off the engagement with Daphne.
The thing is, I think Daphne’s very upset and I don’t know how to go about things with her.
Both his friends were shocked when they read that message.
Even Tristan who was a douche himself, felt Trevor had gone too far.
Tristan: So you still want Daphne in your life after all that?
Trevor: Of course.
I know this might sound selfish but she could just be my mistress.
I’m not the first man to want two women, am I?
Tristan: Well, you’re not.
I have like three…four women currently.
But you know these women know their places and they don’t complain.
Daphne on the other hand is a very stubborn woman so this situation would be tough for you to handle.
But don’t worry, let’s meet up tomorrow.
I can definitely think of something before then.
Dante who had been quiet for a while finally spoke up.
Dante: Can you two just listen to yourself?
Trevor, how can you say Mabel has more to offer?
What about all Daphne had offered you over the years?
You can’t just toss her aside.
You’d regret it.
Trevor: I’m not tossing her aside.
I said I still want her.
Dante: This is wrong.
You can’t just make her your second option.
Tristan: Dante, you can be a real moral police sometimes.
Just chill, dude.
Dante was genuinely pissed, not able to believe that Trevor could be so ungrateful.
He was sure his friend would regret it in the future.
************
After the Ismark POC concluded, Daphne tried several times to meet with CEO Dalton to inquire about the results but was repeatedly put off.
Daphne knew the situation wasn’t looking good, but she still did her part, sending out the bid proposal as required, and then went to pursue other smaller clients.
Upon returning to the office, Maliyah called Daphne over.
She explained that a long-standing client’s three-year contract was expiring and needed to be renewed, but the client was demanding a 20% price reduction, otherwise, they would sign with a competitor.
Maliyah had tried every possible approach to no avail and was feeling very frustrated.
Daphne helped her analyze the situation, pointing out that since the client and the King family were competitors, it was only natural for them to refuse to give the King family any face.
She then accompanied Maliyah to meet with the client, with Daphne entering the conference room to negotiate while Maliyah waited outside.
Daphne wrapped things up with the client in just half an hour, getting them to sign the contract on the spot.
When they came out, Maliyah was astonished and asked what strategy Daphne had used.
Daphne explained that she simply put herself in the client’s shoes, helped them sort through the pros and cons of products on the market, highlighted the suitability of SG products, and promised that after-sales service would remain unchanged, winning the client over with her sincerity.
Maliyah understood the lesson.
She apologized for having doubted Daphne’s abilities and for rolling her eyes at her earlier, and offered to treat her to a meal as a gesture of gratitude.
Her brother was indeed right.
Maliyah had felt Marco had been boasting too much about Daphne’s ability but she realized now that it wasn’t a mere boast.
Daphne was indeed skilled.
Very skilled.
And she had to let go of her pride just as Marco had advised and learn from Daphne.
**********
Maliyah took Daphne to an upscale private club and actively tried to build a closer relationship with her.
Since they were the same age, Maliyah addressed Daphne informally and Daphne didn’t object.
During the meal, Maliyah shared many personal details with Daphne.
It was as she and Daphne had become close friends in such a short time.
She even told Daphne about her past love lives.
Daphne also opened up about her own experiences, explaining vaguely that her father had an affair and abandoned her and her mother years ago, and that she has recently broken up with her ex-boyfriend.
Maliyah bluntly told Daphne that her ex-boyfriend didn’t know a good thing when he saw it and didn’t cherish such a wonderful girl like her.
Seeing that Daphne didn’t want to talk much about her love life, Maliyah didn’t press the issue further.
In her heart, she had already approved of Daphne and felt she would make a suitable sister-in-law
********
After having such a good time, they both set out to leave.
But Maliyah went back to retrieve something she’d left behind, leaving Daphne to wait in the lobby.
“Daphne?”
Daphne had a bit of alcohol but she was still sensible.
Hearing her name, she lifted up her head and saw Kayla approaching.
“What are you doing here?” Kayla asked and before Daphne could replied, Kayla laughed and continued.
“Did you come here by yourself?
Then again, you have no friends.
It’s pathetic, isn’t it?”
Daphne didn’t argue with her and asked what she was doing there.
“Oh, I got a call to deliver some documents to Trevor here.
Apparently, he had come with Mabel and they ran into some potential clients.”
Not wanting to run into Trevor at all, Daphne nodded, curtly at Kayla and decided to go wait for Maliyah outside.
Seeing her leave, Kayla tsked.
She wondered how long Daphne was going to put up a brave front.
Kayla was sure Daphne was breaking apart on the inside.
********
Maliyah came out after picking up her items and ran into Marco at the entrance.
Marco came over to pay for them.
But Maliyah knew the real reason why he had come over.
Still, she excitedly charge the bill to his card.
“I hope my sister wasn’t being a bother.
I’m sure she dragged you over here.” Marco said to Daphne.
Daphne smiled, politely and shook her head.
“No, I wanted to come and it was fun hanging out with Maliyah.”
“See, why do you always think I cause nothing but trouble?!” Maliyah grumbled.
“And for your information, Daphne and I secured a major deal today.”
“Congrats.” With that, Marco pulled Maliyah aside and warned in a whisper.
“Do not bring Daphne to this kind of place ever again.”
Maliyah frowned.
“Why?”
“No…not just Daphne but you two.
This place is always swimming with all sorts of men and it’s no place for proper ladies like you two to be in.”
Maliyah laughed.
“Why do I feel you’re more concerned about Daphne than me?
Oh you like her!” She shot him, directly.
“Shut up.” Marco snapped.
After bidding Maliyah and Daphne goodbye, Marco had a driver take them home and he stood in front of the club, watching the car until it disappeared from his sight.