Chapter 678

As Arnold spoke, his muscular arms wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her closer with an increasingly tight grip that seemed to fear her slipping away again.

Camille felt a ticklish warmth spread through her, her voice soft; she was playfully complaining yet more of saying in a coquettish way, “You do realize you’re like a thief, don’t you? Quite perceptive of yourself.”

“Camille.”

He called her name again, his voice laced with an addictive quality that brought a rosy hue to her pale cheeks, “Actually, you’re a thief too. A thief who stole my heart.”

Camille had heard her mentor occasionally mention her family. He said she had an older brother who, despite his dashing good looks, spoke the most cheesy pick–up lines that were oddly endearing.

Now, she could see her mentor hadn’t been exaggerating.

Seeing her silent, Arnold grew anxious and turned her to face him, “Are you still mad at me?”

Arnold Ashbourne.”

The way Camille suddenly used his full name made him even more nervous, his Adam’s apple bobbing uncontrollably.

“I’m the illegitimate daughter of the Evert family; my background isn’t something to be proud of. The Evert family hassle me so frequently, it’s a wonder I find any peace. Someone like me isn’t a good match to you. Being with me, you’ll never have a day’s rest.”

As she spoke, a pain throbbed in her chest, as if she were being forced to carve off a piece of her heart, “You deserve…better. Perhaps out of sympathy or pity, you felt the need to protect me. But once the intensity fades, you’ll see. Love is just a fleeting illusion that brings nothing but trouble. With your privileged background, even if you don’t seek out nobility, you could find a lady from a reputable, well–read family. My life is full of blemishes. And what you see today is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Camille, a top fashion designer, used her flawlessly cool demeanor and her dazzling creations to mask her intense inner turmoil and insecurity.

She felt rootless, like a drifting weed, never able to proudly tell anyone that she was a child of the Evert family.

It wasn’t that she was blind to Arnold’s virtues or his genuine love for her, but the deep–seated sense of unworthiness tore at her heart day and night, forcing her to stay alert.

liking her, if their love faced opposition from the whole world,

your background for a

help but spit it out, “But what of it? I still like you; I still look forward to seeing

taken aback; her defenses cracked at his words, “You’ve been checking up on me?! Arnold, are you letting your

know more

friend, and she’s told me more than once how much she wants you as her sister–in–law. As for my family, and my father, you have nothing to fear. If they aren’t open–minded, then no one in the world is. My dad accepted Cassius‘ preference for men; he accepted Thaddeus, who once hurt Evadne, so how could he possibly not accept you? Why shouldn’t he?!”

chest, “Dr. Bright is the second son of the Bright family, and Thaddeus is the CEO of the Abernathy group, both paragons among men. What am I, how can I compare? It’s different. Don’t waste your time on

Was she trying to kill him with frustration?!

ragged gasps,

it, so she asked you to pick up Dr. Bright’s tailored suit? I had my assistant pack it, she’ll give it to you.

still have it, right? I have an important meeting at the courthouse later, and

stiffened, her heart pierced by a sharp icicle

“Alright”

out the badge she kept close to her heart. Clutching it tightly in

looking intensely at her, extending his

attempted to retract her hand, his strong grasp suddenly enveloped

she stumbled into his embrace.

a fervent kiss, deepening it with

current of electricity as she embraced him,

his fingers gently tracing her jaw, a crooked smile playing on his lips. “You turned white

where do you get that confidence from?” Camille’s eyes

something you picked

again, “What’s the use of the whole world being

fears were shattered by his unwavering choice.

my girl,

let me love you, cherish you, take care of you. All that you’ve lost, all that you’ve never had, let me find it for you, piece by piece. Please, give me this chance.”

few lines, hard–won from his heart’s depths, were

her. Tears streamed down her face as she gave a

as if the whole world burst into

her neck and kissed

swamped with work handovers from Cassius, which was why she couldn’t make it to the Elmsworth rendezvous with Camille. Instead, she sent Arnold to pick up some

Camille to meet. Even if Cupid was willing, without sight, how could

proposals, delving into the profiles of corporate executives, and grappling with the group’s financial situation. Although Thaddeus was there to assist, she was still left with

“Ugh, I’m beat.”

beautiful robot short–circuited, “How can there

second thoughts before you’ve even taken the reins?”

chuckled softly, his hands gently massaging her temples, “Let me give you a heads up from someone who’s been there: this is just the beginning. Once you officially take over, a myriad of tasks

word doesn’t

I’m going to excel. Just like when I took over K Hotel. I said rd outdo you guys at Abernathy Hotel, and I meant

back, none can rival you; in a league of your own, my Evadne shines as the queen she is. What if I just give Abernathy Hotel to

know you and your father aren’t on the best terms, but let’s not overdo

frantically, trying to dodge the suggestion, “If you really gave it to me, wouldn’t that be an over–the–top display

wry smile, ruffling her

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