Chapter 6: He Was Teased?
<Chapter>Chapter 6: He Was Teased? </Chapter>
How did Grandpa Ham manage to bring this thing out?
More importantly, why did he casually give it to Daphne Finney?
If this girl knew that this pocket watch granted unrestricted access to all the Koch family vaults, how terrified would she be?
This thing was not to be touched lightly.
The first and foremost rule of the Koch family: No one but the family head or the designated heir may touch the family crest.
The entire family will hunt down anyone who violates this rule.
Who was David to break this rule? Just an assistant—he had no desire to meet an untimely demise.
His outstretched hand retracted instantly, as if the pocket watch were more terrifying than the devil.
David looked at Daphne Finney with some unease. Then, with a polite bow, he said, “Miss, I’m sorry, but I cannot pass this watch along for you. Grandpa Ham treasures this watch greatly. I need to consult my boss first.”
David made a “please wait” gesture before swiftly turning back and heading toward the second car’s rear seat.
Once again, the window on the other side lowered.
Then, from inside the car, a long, well-defined hand extended outward, palm up, fingers gracefully curved.
Each finger was extended and neatly trimmed into a crescent shape.
It was hard to believe the person possessing such hands wouldn’t be stunningly attractive.
Daphne Finney was an artist.
Whenever she saw something beautiful, she couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it.
Without thinking, she placed her hand into the man’s palm…
Charles Koch had expected cold detachment but found himself holding a soft, boneless little hand instead.
Her fingertips were slightly cool, yet her palm carried a faint trace of sweat.
It was clear she had been running hard just moments ago.
But… what was she doing now?
Was she hoping he’d invite her into the car?
Of course, seeing Grandpa Ham in such a luxurious car must have made her eager to get to know him.
Charles Koch immediately withdrew his hand, pulling it back into the car.
Only then did Daphne Finney realize she had inadvertently flirted with the “boss” inside the car.
This was terrible.
Would he think she was a pervert for holding his hand like that?
Daphne hurriedly apologized, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I just… um… your hands are beautiful. They’d make perfect hand models…”
“Hmph.”
The man inside the car scoffed dismissively.
Daphne scratched her forehead awkwardly, then quickly pulled out the pocket watch and shoved it through the car window.
Charles Koch, who had been inspecting his hand, was caught off guard and startled.
“What are you doing?” he asked in a low voice.
“Returning this to you. Please help me give it back to Grandpa Ham. I still have work to do so I won’t hold you up any longer. And again, I’m sorry for my behavior just now.”
After saying that, she didn’t wait to see if he had taken the watch—she let go.
To her surprise, Charles Koch caught her hand instead.
“It’s impolite not to return an item directly to its owner.”
Daphne was startled by his firm grip and instinctively tried to pull away.
But he showed no intention of letting go.
Instantly, her temper flared.
“Sir, I’ve already returned the item. Please release my hand unless you want me to pull you out of the car. I forgot to mention that, as a sculptor, I have quite a strong grip.”
Charles Koch glanced at the wrist he was holding—so delicate.
Her physique and her temper did not match at all.
Shaking his head, he found himself strangely intrigued by this woman today.
Hearing her huffy “threat,” he finally let go.
Seeing this, Daphne did not linger. She turned and walked away without looking back.
“Interesting.”
Charles Koch watched her retreating figure through the car window.
He suddenly realized—she hadn’t looked back even once.
So, it wasn’t a deliberate ploy.
Charles Koch had just turned twenty-six this year.
From the moment he was born, the Koch Group had meticulously groomed him as their future financial magnate.
The family carefully arranged every aspect of his life—what he ate, wore in the morning, and which friends he associated with.
Everything followed a script written long before he understood the choice concept.
His life was tightly bound by fate, moving forward along a predetermined track without deviation.
Following the family’s tradition, he was destined for an arranged marriage.
But fate had played a not-so-small joke on him.
When he turned twenty and held his coming-of-age ceremony, no eligible noblewoman from a prestigious family was close to his age.
Ironically, the only suitable candidate was the sister of the Koch family’s greatest rival.
A ridiculous joke.
Charles Koch’s marriage plans were postponed indefinitely, and he grew accustomed to a single life.
In the vast and complex Koch family structure, Grandpa Ham Koch was the only person who could dictate his actions and whom he truly respected.
Grandpa held immense prestige and authority in the family—no one dared to defy him.
Unfortunately, just as Charles finally gained complete control over the family’s wealth and business empire, Grandpa was diagnosed with dementia.
He lost his former commanding presence and even began acting strangely due to a recurring dream.
As a result, Charles’s marriage matters continued to be delayed time and time again.
Was he personally anxious about marriage?
Not at all.
To Charles, relationships between men and women were perplexing. He never understood why a man had to marry a woman.
If it was just about reproduction, modern technology had advanced far beyond the need for traditional marriage.
With his superior genes, he could easily select the highest-quality egg from a sperm bank, ensuring the birth of a perfect child in every way.
But today, for the first time, he thought—maybe having a wife wouldn’t be so bad after all.
Code Sculpture Studio
“Hey, Maggie! So this is where you are!”
When Daphne Finney saw her best friend in the studio, she finally relaxed.
She had been worried about missing her appointment with the client.
Watching the satisfied client leave, Daphne walked over to Maggie and helped her remove her apron.
“Didn’t you say you had a blind date today? I thought you wouldn’t make it to the studio.”
Daphne spoke with a flattering smile.
Maggie stood with her hands on her hips, fuming. “You’re one to talk! If I hadn’t ditched my mom’s setup, you would’ve stood up your client! Now, be honest—where did you disappear to?”
“Something unexpected happened on the way.”
Daphne sprawled onto the couch. Today had been quite the eventful day.
But explaining it all would take too long.
Maggie scrutinized the exhausted Daphne and quickly noticed her clothes were covered in dust.