Chapter 911: Enduring The Pain

Chapter 911: Enduring the Pain

Ayan's cold smirk curved, and his gaze grew increasingly somber. He

spoke in a detached tone, uttering a couple of sentences.

Kian nodded immediately upon hearing it. "I understand what you

mean. I'll arrange it right away.”

Ayan remained silent, waiting for Kian to leave. Then he raised his

hand to rub his temple vigorously and picked up his phone to send a

message. He also took a screenshot of the jewelry information Kian

had sent him and forwarded it.

Soon, he received a response with an OK gesture. He closed his phone

and maintained his deep and ancient pond-like gaze.

Inside the car,

Camille was driving toward Simpson Group for the upcoming meeting.

Her phone, placed on the center console, rang at this moment. She

glanced at the caller ID and immediately answered, "Mom?"

Talia's joyful voice came through, "Cami, come home for dinner tonight.

I had someone bring fresh seafood. Our family hasn't had a meal

together this week. How about it?"

Talia's enthusiastic invitation left Camille with no excuse to refuse.

Camille gladly agreed, making Talia very happy. Talia quickly added,

"So we'll be waiting for you and Ayan to come back. Don't be too late.”

"Sure," Camille replied lightly.

Talia hung up the phone, satisfied, and then sent a message before

putting her phone away.

Fletcher beside her looked puzzled. "Aren't you afraid that Cami will be

angry and won't trust you as a mother-in-law anymore?"

"Cami won't stop trusting me."

Fletcher shook his head. "You accepted Ayan's favor to help him. Aren't

you worried that if Cami finds out, she won't talk to you anymore?

Besides, you didn't even ask Ayan what he did to upset Cami before

you jumped to conclusions and helped him. Aren't you selling Cami out

without fully understanding the situation?"

Fletcher's analysis left her speechless for a moment. She froze, her

expression stunned.

She immediately sent a voice message to Ayan, saying, “I don't want

your gift anymore. What did you do to make Cami ignore you? You

need to figure out a way to make it up to her. Tonight, I just wanted

Cami to come back and have dinner with you. I didn't do you any

favors. Don't think you can manipulate me."

After sending the voice message, she deleted the chat history, fearing

she might retract it. After all, the jewelry Preston sent her was too rare.

It was something she had wanted for a long time but never managed to

find.

However, to preserve her relationship with Camille, she chose to

endure the pain of letting it go.

Seeing her resolute expression, Fletcher couldn't help but chuckle

softly, but he still comforted her, "Since it's a gift from Ayan, it's a

natural token of his respect. You could have accepted it."

Talia let out a slight hum. “I won't be bribed. Don't try to influence my

thoughts."

Talia was firm, and no one could sway her decision.

About an hour later, the project meeting began promptly in Simpson

Group's conference room.

Except for Preston, who participated via voice, everyone else was

present. Dan had taken an early flight to Hance City today and was

now co-managing the Dane City project with Sophia, keeping him quite

busy. However, this project was his first one since taking over Rapace

Group, making it particularly significant.

In addition, Mr. and Mrs. Bell introduced their promotional partners. Mr.

Bell gave a brief introduction, stating that their partner, Mr. Mikkola, was

a Hance City native who had been abroad for many years and was now

residing overseas. They had been collaborating with him for years.

After Mr. Bell's introduction, he shared his discussions with Mr. Mikkola

regarding their plans. He said, "For the Modest Temple Hotel, we plan

to initiate a soliciting-style promotion. This way, we can save costs

while also finding genuine supporters among companies for our cause.”

Ayan remained expressionless, giving no hint of his thoughts. He had

no idea what he was really thinking.

Dan appeared slightly serious and puzzled as he asked, "Are you

saying we'll use a soliciting approach to seek sponsorship and

promotion?”

“Yes, because a lot of effort and funds have been invested into the

Modest Temple Hotel, and now that it's completed, we want to promote

it to the public. This way, more people will learn about the Modest

Temple Hotel's existence. After all, how can the local villagers rely on it

for prosperity if they're not aware of its existence?"

Mr. Mikkola responded, and a faint smile lingered in his eyes. He

addressed the group, "Mr. Bell and I have discussed this, and we both

believe that this decision is in the best interest of everyone. What do

you all think?"

Mr. Bell also nodded in agreement. However, Ayan remained silent.

Dan's face appeared stern and grave, possibly indicating some

hesitation, preventing him from giving an immediate response.

From the other end of the call, Preston's voice chimed in, "I think Mr.

Bell and Mr. Mikkola's decision is excellent. Although this is a charitable

project, we still need to ensure future benefits, right? So, I support it!"

“Thank you for your support, Mr. Baxter," Mr. Mikkola replied with a faint

smile. He then looked at Ayan and said, "Mr. Simpson, what's your

opinion?"

Ayan raised an eyebrow slightly, his warm and indifferent gaze locking

onto Mr. Mikkola's eyes. He spoke evenly, "Was this proposal

suggested by Mr. Mikkola?"

Mr. Mikkola was briefly taken aback, not expecting that Ayan's first

words after such a long silence would be this question.

After a momentary pause, Mr. Mikkola responded, "Yes, I brought it up,

and Mr. Bell agreed.”

Ayan didn't continue the conversation, merely stating, "I need to

consider it. This project was initiated under Simpson Group's name in

Fola and is being promoted in Hance City as well. I need to discuss it

with other senior members of Simpson Group before I can give a

definitive answer.”

Ayan neither refused nor agreed directly.

Mr. Mikkola seemed unwilling to wait. He said, "Mr. Simpson, the

initiator of this project is Mr. Bell. I think it's best to follow Mr. Bell's

decision."

Ayan's lips curved into a smile. "Mr. Bell, we've been cooperating for so

long. You should give me some time to think, right?"

Mr. Bell furrowed his brows slightly but nodded. "Alright, take your time

to discuss it. It's not urgent. We can decide after the completion

ceremony.”

Later, they discussed the details and schedule of the completion

ceremony. Preston, as usual, declined due to other work commitments,

but he expressed his full support and approval of Mr. Bell's decision,

which could be seen as silently implying that Ayan was not cooperating.

Although Mr. Mikkola seemed dissatisfied with the hesitation, he didn't

say anything further.

After the meeting ended, Ayan asked Kian to see off Mr. and Mrs. Bell

and Mr. Mikkola. He then returned to his office ahead of everyone else.

His mood appeared rather grim, his expression dark and cold. He didn't

even say a word to Camille, merely giving her a brief glance.

Following behind, Dan was left puzzled. He voiced his confusion,

"Cami, what's the meaning behind Mr. Bell suddenly bringing in Mr.

Mikkola? Even Mr. Simpson seemed completely unaware of it before

today's meeting."

Camille shook her head gently. “I don't know either. Mr. and Mrs. Bell

didn't mention it." While Camille wasn't involved in the management of

the company or its complex interrelationships, Mr. Mikkola's words

clearly contradicted the theme of the project.

If someone were to expose this and make a big deal out of it, Simpson

Group would need to take responsibility. Even she could see that. Mr.

and Mrs. Bell wouldn't be oblivious to this, right?

Camille's face grew serious, and she cast a worried look in the direction

of Ayan's office.

Dan suggested, "I'm thinking of talking to Mr. Simpson about this. Do

you want to come with me?"

Camille replied, "No, I won't. I'm just an architect. I don't have much say

in this matter. You should go. You can have a good discussion with him.

If you have any ideas, you can work them out together.”

Dan went to see Ayan, while Camille went downstairs. As she arrived at

the parking lot, she spotted Mrs. Bell. Mrs. Bell saw her too and

immediately smiled, walking over. "Cami, how about having a cup of

coffee together?"