Chapter 1014: The Art Of Pretense

Chapter 1014: The Art of Pretense

After dinner, it was already past eight in the evening. Camille finally told

Ayan about Preston's call during the day.

Ayan listened without any extra reaction, his expression merely

becoming slightly subdued.

Camille looked at him and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

His gaze met hers, and he spoke in a calm tone, "No need to pay him

any attention.”

Camille nodded and continued, "Yes, I ignored him and had the phone

sent to him because I didn't think it was necessary for him to go

through so much trouble just to return a phone. But I don't know what

his intentions or thoughts are. What do you think?"

Camille gazed at Ayan, waiting for his response. Although this matter

wasn't particularly troubling, there was still a slight uneasiness until it

was fully understood.

Ayan gently took Camille's hand, and a faint glimmer of amusement

sparkled in his eyes as he said, "Don't take him seriously. He's just

seeking attention with his actions. If you feel burdened or find it difficult

to refuse, then handle it as you have in the past. There's no need for

you to engage in any disputes because of me. Whatever he says, you

can listen. As for what kind of person I am, you should know better than

him."

Camille nodded, her gaze remaining fixed on Ayan. His reactions and

attitude seemed to indicate that he didn't mind her contact with Preston.

Was he genuinely unconcerned, or was he simply pretending to be

magnanimous?

Camille tilted her head, looking at Ayan curiously. "You're not upset, are

you?"

Ayan replied calmly, meeting Camille's gaze with his own. A slight curve

appeared on his thin lips as he said, "I'm not upset. Why do you ask?"

"Because in the past, you didn't seem to like it when I was in contact

with him. Why does it seem like you've changed your mind now?"

"I haven't changed my mind. I've never liked it. I know perfectly well

what his intentions are regarding you, and naturally, I don't like him

having any contact with you. However, I can't stop you, but trying to

prevent you would only backfire. As long as you understand what's on

my mind, that's all that matters. Whether he continues to contact you is

his own business."

He said this earnestly, his slender fingers gently squeezing her palm.

His deep eyes remained gentle and warm, devoid of any sharpness or

coldness.

His words, along with his current demeanor, made Camille feel like he

was good at pretending.

Camille couldn't help but laugh to herself and let a smile play on her

lips as she looked at Ayan. She asked, "Mr. Simpson, have you been

learning the art of pretending recently?"

Ayan naturally didn't understand the meaning behind her words and

simply stared at her, asking, "What trap are you trying to set for me?"

"Me? I'm just complimenting you!"

"Complimenting me? Complimenting me for what?"

"Complimenting you for being clever," Camille said, covering her mouth

as she laughed.

Ayan showed no emotional response and continued to gaze at her with

his deep, unblinking eyes. There was a clear hint of indulgence in his

eyes, a gaze that could make anyone lose control if they stared at it for

too long.

The way Camille and Ayan interacted nowadays was different from

before. They could sit together and chat for hours without specific

topics in mind. Although there was no particular subject, the

atmosphere never turned cold, perhaps because that was how married

couples spent time together.

The night was calm, as if it were the calm before a storm, but there

were no visible ripples.

The next morning, Ayan woke up and pulled Camille out of bed. He

wanted to have breakfast with her.

Camille didn't have any morning grumpiness, but it was evident that

she hadn't slept well, so her face appeared expressionless with a touch

of coldness. Ayan, in an attempt to appease her, personally prepared

breakfast and served it to her.

As they both ate, Ayan's phone suddenly rang, and he picked it up from

the table, answering the call with a press of the speaker button.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Simpson, it's me," Kian's voice came through the phone. He spoke

softly, "Mr. Simpson, the news about Mr. Bell's divorce has already

been revealed. The situation seems relatively normal for now. However,

Mr. Bell just called me, and he mentioned that he can't reach Mr.

Mikkola. He's worried about what Mr. Mikkola might be planning, so

he's feeling uncertain. He wants to temporarily leave Hance and come

back after the situation cools down. As for the project, he intends to

hand it over to Simpson Group. What's your take on this?"

Ayan, who was in the midst of serving Camille some food, paused

briefly upon hearing Kian's words. After placing the food in Camille's

bowl, he responded, "If he wants to leave Hance City for a while, that's

his decision. Regarding the Fola project, since Simpson Group has

already handed it over, there's no need for us to continue managing it.

Let him leave it in the hands of his assistant, and Simpson Group will

provide support if necessary. There's no need for us to take full

responsibility.”

"Understood. I'll let Mr. Bell know. What about Mr. Mikkola? Is there a

reason to be concerned if he can't be reached now?"

"That's not something we should be worried about. Once Mr. Bell's

affairs are settled, Mr. Mikkola won't have any reason to stay in Hance

anymore. Whether he stays or leaves is his own business, and it

doesn't concern us."

Ayan squinted his eyes and set down his fork. His expression became

somewhat aloof, and he seemed lost in thought.

Ayan listened to Kian's report about Mr. Bell's situation and the current

online status. Then, he suddenly spoke up, saying, "Have Jenson

Evans reach out to Mr. Mikkola and probe him to see if he has any

other intentions?"

The museum project was now under Jenson Evans’ complete

responsibility. Even though Preston had completely left the project and

posed no threat or influence, Ayan chose to maintain some distance

from it. He entrusted the project entirely to Jenson Evans, hoping that

there would be no issues. However, he had contingency plans in case

of unexpected developments.

After ending the call with Kian, Ayan continued to mull over the

situation. His expression remained pensive until Camille's voice

suddenly interrupted his thoughts. She asked, "What are you thinking?"

Only then did Ayan come back to his senses. His gaze met Camille's

eyes as he replied, "Nothing."

Camille asked, "Is Mr. Bell planning to leave Hance City?"

"Yes, he's probably concerned that his publicized divorce might cause

him trouble. So, he wants to leave Hance City temporarily until things

settle down. After all, he has ongoing projects in Hance City, and the

recent publicity due to Mr. Mikkola's involvement wasn't favorable. He

certainly doesn't want to attract that level of attention again."

Ayan wiped his hands with a wet napkin, and a cold, detached

expression settled on his handsome face. Mr. Bell's desire to

completely distance himself from Mr. Mikkola while returning to a

cooperative relationship with Simpson Group wasn't something Ayan

was willing to accept.

Although Ayan was willing to assist Mr. Bell in getting Mr. Mikkola to

withdraw from the project, it didn't mean he was willing to forget about

everything that had transpired as if it had never happened. Even if

certain decisions had been made under the threat of consequences,

Ayan hadn't received any prior hints or hesitation from Mr. Bell. If Ayan

and Simpson Group couldn't bear the criticisms and public scrutiny of

those decisions, then Mr. Bell couldn't simply absolve himself of the

consequences.

Ayan's honesty was met with Camille's nod of understanding. She said,

“Your decision is fine. Do you want me to maintain some distance with

Mrs. Bell and her team, just in case? Would too much contact or

closeness with them affect Simpson Group?"

"No need. They have already divorced, and Mrs. Bell has left the

project. So, there's no need for you to keep your distance from them. If

you think she's a good person to talk to, then talk more. If not, then just

maintain basic interaction.”

"Alright, if it might impact Simpson Group, please let me know."

"Okay."

After finishing their breakfast, they headed to work together.

As Camille entered the company's gates, she heard a familiar voice

saying, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll wait for her right here.”

Hearing that voice, Camille instinctively furrowed her brows.