Chapter 1045: Dignity

Chapter 1045: Dignity

Camille couldn't put into words what she felt deep down; it was a bit

maddening. She didn't want her inner turmoil to show to Preston, but

her patience with him had run out. Even saying one more word to him

felt exhausting.

She was genuinely tired.

If given the choice, she'd prefer working late into the night rather than

talking to Preston.

No matter what Camille said, Preston had already made up his mind.

Because he believed it was because of Ayan that she had been acting

this way. He said, "Cami, is it because Ayan have feelings for you that

you've completely fallen for him again, and that's why you can't see his

flaws, that he's manipulating our relationship, and you don't realize he's

controlling the bond between us?"

"Preston, we're friends, right?"

"Of course.”

"If we're friends, then why is there no trust and honesty between

friends? Just because I'm married to Ayan, it doesn't mean I have to

involve all my friends with him. We're both independent individuals, and

we have our own friends and personal space. Our friends don't have to

know each other, so how can you say he's undermining our

relationship?"

The two of them stood just a few meters from the entrance of a tall

building. There was quite a bit of foot traffic, so no one paid them any

attention.

However, yesterday's incident had garnered a lot of attention, and since

the matter hadn't been entirely resolved yet, Camille was worried about

paparazzi lurking around, catching her with Preston. It wasn't because

she felt guilty about being seen with Preston, but she didn't want any

further attention at this sensitive time. Grandpa had already ordered

Ayan to handle the situation discreetly, so she wanted to avoid

reigniting any media interest.

Camille concluded, glancing at her wristwatch. She looked at Preston

and said, "I really have work to do. If you came here just to say that

Ayan has manipulated our relationship, I've already explained it to you.

If you're not satisfied with my explanation or think I'm biased, I don't

know what I can do to make you believe me. Preston, if you think I've

changed, then you can choose not to be my friend. I think becoming

strangers might be the best resolution, what do you think?"

Afraid that Camille might walk away, Preston immediately asked,

"Cami, does this mean you've chosen Ayan after all?"

Preston couldn't understand why, despite treating Camille better, she

had chosen Ayan. Was it because she loved him?

Preston took a deep breath without uttering a word, his expression filled

with frustration and disappointment as he confronted Camille. He said,

“You're just a love-struck fool. Do you think he's perfect in every way? If

he ever changes his mind, you'll be left heartbroken. Don't you

remember how he treated you before? Have you forgotten who you

are? Are you so humble that you can't live without him? You've already

divorced. Why can't you completely leave him, Camille? Do you have

no self-respect or dignity?" Preston practically shouted, each word filled

with anger and condemnation.

The way he questioned her was nothing new to Camille, but this was

perhaps the first time he'd confronted her face to face. At this moment,

Camille saw the grotesque expression on Preston's face, and she felt

frozen, as if something had locked her in place, rendering her

motionless.

Her expression was unattractive. Her eyes held a deep sense of

indifference as she looked at Preston. She opened her mouth,

maintaining her composure. After a few seconds, she finally spoke,

“Yes, I am helpless. I am lowly, is that enough for you? Are you

satisfied with this answer? Is there anything else you want to say now?"

Camille felt extremely exasperated. Even though they were friends,

there should be some basic boundaries, especially considering they

were of the opposite sex. More importantly, there was already a strain

in their relationship due to these issues, which he seemed unaware of.

He believed he could say anything to Camille, and this was something

she couldn't accept.

Camille's emotions were in a terrible state, but Preston didn't seem to

notice. She felt that what she had just said was a way of venting her

frustration. She felt that he wasn't really paying attention to what she

was saying and continued to push his own agenda. Preston persisted,

"Cami, can we find a place to sit down and talk slowly? I understand

that you're upset right now, and you can't accept my suggestion

immediately. After all, you've loved Ayan for so many years. It's

impossible for you to just leave him. But now you're divorced. Since

you're divorced, why not cut ties completely?"

Preston had always insisted on Camille severing ties with Ayan, ideally

never interacting with him again. This was a goal that he had never

shown any sign of compromising on.

Preston was quite persistent, and he was starting to brainwash Camille

again. The more he talked, the more he convinced himself that he was

right. Why couldn't Camille see it his way? It was as if he was a teacher

trying to educate a stubborn student, putting in a lot of effort but with no

effect.

In such a situation, a teacher would naturally become frustrated.

Preston's gaze, now quite displeased, bore down on Camille, and his

dark eyes stared at her icily, making Camille feel an unfamiliar chill in

his eyes. Even though she had always had a sense that she never truly

understood him, she had never felt him as intimidating as she did now,

despite being in broad daylight.

Camille silently observed Preston, his voice still persisting. He was

trying to convince her to leave Ayan, warning her not to be manipulated

and deceived by him. Camille, however, was only hearing his words

without truly listening. She wasn't a child; she had her own eyes and

ears, and she would make her own judgments.

However, at this moment, she felt she couldn't confront Preston head-

on. She sensed danger and had known Preston for many years, so she

was somewhat aware of his capabilities and craftiness. If he could

make Molly willingly devote so many years for him, he must possess

some degree of cunning.

So much had happened over the past half-year that Camille felt the

need to tread carefully in every step she took. She didn't want to create

any more trouble and hoped to avoid any unexpected events.

For that reason, Camille chose not to confront Preston. Instead, she

looked at him and said, "I need some time to think about what you've

said. You know that long-standing habits and feelings can't be simply

cast aside. Please don't rush me, okay?"

Preston was momentarily taken aback, seemingly surprised that

Camille was showing signs of change so quickly.

But he was pleased, and a visible warmth spread across his face. He

said, "Cami, that's the right attitude. No one in this world can't survive

without someone else. A girl should live with dignity.”

Camille agreed, "You're right."

Then she asked, "Can I go upstairs now?"

Preston frowned, "Are you really that busy?"

Camille replied, "Yes, I've been quite busy lately."

Preston simply nodded. His face showed signs of wanting to say more

but hesitating, yet Camille pretended not to understand, not wanting to

ask further.

Her only thought at the moment was to leave as soon as possible. She

didn't want to spend another second with Preston.

While Camille's mind was preoccupied with leaving, Preston couldn't

figure out how to voice the request that had been weighing on his mind.