Chapter 72 Geoffrey bit his lip but held his ground. "Dad, you know how cold David is. I want to talk to him, but he wonât even listen."
"Enough," Logan cut him off. "Iâm done with this conversation."
Pollyâs voice softened, trying again. "Could you speak to David? Get him to let Sebastian stay here?"
Logan shook his head firmly. "The Charrington family is under Davidâs rule now. Iâm not getting involved in this."
Turning to Woody, he added, "Help me upstairs."
Logan didnât even try to hide his disdain. Their schemes were written all over their faces, and he wasnât about to entertain them any longer.
At Charrington Group, Nathan walked into Davidâs office. "Mr. Charrington, Sebastianâs back. Geoffrey and Polly just picked him up from the airport, and he should be at Charrington Manor by now."
David glanced up, his gaze as sharp as ever. "So heâs back. Big deal. Heâs still useless."
His tone was frosty, sending a chill through the room as if the very air had frozen in place.
Nathan added, "Heâs been chasing women abroad. Geoffrey and Polly think bringing him back will somehow threaten your position.
"Theyâll probably try to get your grandfather to keep him here," Nathan observed.
As Davidâs right-hand man, Nathan always paid special attention to those from the Charrington family.
David shrugged dismissively. "Logan wonât care. Heâs never been one for this kind of thing." He stood up, adjusting his suit. "Iâm going to pick up Danielle." Nathan couldnât help but think, âThe boss sure loves rubbing his relationship in everyoneâs faces.
Danielle glanced at the clock-it was almost time for her to leave for the day. She was flying overseas tomorrow and had some packing to do.
Just as she stepped outside, she saw David standing by the car, his suit perfectly tailored and a cigarette in his hand. He looked effortlessly cool, standing out like a man who belonged.
As soon as Danielle appeared, David noticed her immediately, flicking the cigarette away before striding toward her. "Tired?"
"No," she replied with a smile.
The entrance to Black Web headquarters was buzzing with people, all of them sneaking glances at the scene unfolding in front of them.
"When did Ms. Darling get a boyfriend?"
"I had no idea! Whoâs that guy? He looks so familiar."
"I know who he is! Thatâs the CEO of Charrington Group."
"Wait, for real? The cold-blooded, ruthless David? The one they say could kill a man without a second thought?"
"Looks like Ms. Darlingâs boyfriend is anything but ordinary."
Danielle couldnât help but notice the whispers and the stares. Calmly, she took Davidâs hand and spoke, her voice clear and confident, "This is my boyfriend, David."
Before anyone could react, she guided David to the car. "Letâs go," she said.
"Understood, Mrs. Charrington," the driver said, as the car engine roared to life.
The crowd was still frozen in place, trying to process what had just happened, but by the time they could react, the car had already sped off. "Our boss is so cool."
"Wow, she just publicly acknowledged him! Can we get some confetti?"
Inside the car, David smiled at Danielle, his eyes softening. "Iâm really happy. Youâve finally admitted it in front of everyone."
Danielle couldnât stop her lips from curling into a smile.
Howard and Vivian were sipping tea in the garden pavilion when they saw Davidâs car slowly pull up.
"David, I can tell you and Danielle hit it off," Howard said, a warm smile spreading across his face.
"She deserves it," David replied, his eyes softening as he looked at Danielle.
Seeing how well Danielle and David were getting along, Vivian couldnât help but smile even more.
"Howâs your grandfather doing? Is he feeling better?" David gave a polite smile. "Heâs doing great, thanks to Danielle. Sheâs been taking amazing care of him."
Howard nodded in agreement. Heâd always known Danielle had exceptional skills, even helping his own parents get better with her medical expertise.
"Mom, Dad, Iâm heading abroad with David tomorrow to perform surgery on his grandmother," Danielle said, seizing the moment.
"Well, thatâs wonderful, Danielle. Your talent is truly something. With David there, Iâm sure everything will be fine," Vivian said, relieved.
"Iâll make sure nothing happens to her, I promise," David said, his voice full of conviction.
Howard and Vivian exchanged a look, both seeing how much David truly cared for their daughter.
Just then, Audrey walked over, her smile perfectly poised, speaking in a calm, measured tone. "David, you brought Danielle home?" Her every move was graceful, almost like sheâd rehearsed it, radiating an air of quiet elegance.
When Howard and Vivian heard Audreyâs polite, yet distant tone, they felt a sense of relief. Theyâd worried Audrey might not accept Danielle and Davidâs relationship, but it seemed their fears had been unfounded.
Howard and Vivian responded, just as she always did.
David, however, didnât pay much attention to Audrey. His gaze remained fixed on Danielle. "Iâll pick you up tomorrow and take you somewhere nice to eat," he said, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"I want to eat at home," Danielle replied.
"Oh, but I want to be with you," David said, his voice carrying a hint of playful stubbornness.
Vivianâs face lit up. "Well, then, Iâll have the chef make extra of your favorite dishes tomorrow. You can stay here, and David can keep you company."
David, whoâd been feeling a little down, now smiled at the suggestion. "Are you sure? Thatâs too much trouble." "Donât be silly, David. Weâre family,"
Vivian said warmly, reassuring him.
"What would you like to eat, David? Iâll ask the chef to prepare it for you," Howard added kindly.
Noticing how much David cared for Danielle, Howard wanted to show him the same kindness.
David gave Danielle a soft, affectionate look. "Iâm not picky. If Danielle likes it, Iâll like it."
Vivian couldnât help but smile even more at his words. "Alright then, youâre always welcome to come over for dinner. Weâre family now, so donât be shy."
Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)
ï¤Chapter 71 Turning to Danielle, she added, "You should bring David here more often for meals."
Danielle chuckled at how pleased David seemed with himself over simply getting a meal at her house. "Got it," she said with a smile, amused by his efforts to look like the victim just to get a dinner invitation. Meanwhile, Audrey stood off to the side, completely ignored by the group. Not a single person seemed to care about her presence, and it stung.
Time and time again, her family-her parents, her brothers-had dismissed her in favor of Danielle. The jealousy and resentment began to simmer in her chest.
Just then, the maid Sarah walked in, carrying a tray of freshly squeezed juices. "Good afternoon, everyone. Hereâs some fresh juice for you all."
Audrey managed a small, almost imperceptible smile.
"Danielle, this watermelon juice is your favorite," Vivian said, handing it to her with a warm smile.
As Sarah moved to hand the juice to Danielle, Audrey quickly sidestepped and "accidentally" bumped into Sarah.
The collision knocked Sarah off balance, and the cups of juice flew toward Danielle. Sarahâs face went pale as she watched the juice heading straight for Danielle. If it splashed onto her clothes, it wouldnât just upset Howard and Vivian- David, with how much he adored Danielle, would never forgive her.