Chapter 78

Chapter 78

The plane touched down at Whisperwind Reef just as the sky was getting dark. 

Fiona had booked the hotel ahead of time, so the rooms were already sorted. She and Camila had rooms on the top floor.

Camila was about to head to the elevator with her room key when she heard a commotion behind her.

The hotel receptionist looked flustered, holding a room key and nervously addressing Clifford, "Sir, I'm really sorry, but we're fully booked tonight. If you want to stay, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."

"But what if I insist on staying tonight?" Clifford replied, his tone firm.

Fiona's temper flared instantly. She turned and glared at Clifford, "Mr. Thompson, doesn't the Garcia Group own at least five hotels on Whisperwind Reef? Why do you have to crash at the same one as us? Are you doing this on purpose?"

"I'll cover all your expenses this time," Clifford said nonchalantly.

Fiona opened her mouth to retort but then turned to Camila, "Camila, how about we share a room?"

This could save a lot on travel expenses. Camila rubbed the edge of her room key and nodded lightly.

The group headed to the restaurant for dinner. Willie grabbed the heaviest suitcase from Camila, his black backpack strap sliding down his shoulder, and said softly, "I'll help you take your luggage upstairs."

Clifford followed them, and the three entered the elevator together. The mirrored elevator walls reflected their images. 

Clifford suddenly looked at Willie, his tone carrying a hint of casual mockery, "You even brought this kid along. Looks like your company isn't short on money."

"Willie is a formal member of our team," Camila frowned.

Willie remained silent, his gaze dropping slightly, but he noticed Clifford's hand hanging by his side, just an inch away from Camila's elbow, as if it would touch her any second. 

He discreetly looked away, his eyes growing colder, and his grip on the suitcase handle tightened.

The elevator was spacious, but Camila felt a tense atmosphere, making it hard to breathe. 

When the elevator dinged, signaling the top floor, she almost immediately stepped out, her pace quickening, "Willie, give me the luggage. You should go eat."

Willie didn't let go, instead pushing the suitcase to her room door, "I'll help you take it inside first."

The next moment, a slender hand suddenly reached out, firmly gripping the other side of the suitcase handle. Clifford looked at Willie, his voice cold as ice, "I'll take it from here."

Willie stopped, his hand still tightly holding the handle, meeting Clifford's gaze directly. The tension between them was palpable.

Camila couldn't stand the hostile atmosphere. She grabbed the suitcase, "You both go eat. I'll rest in the room. See you in the afternoon."

She slammed the door shut.

Clifford's animosity towards Willie was too obvious, and she had seen that hostile look many times before.

But before she could catch her breath, there was a knock at the door, demanding attention.

Camila opened the door to find Clifford standing there, his brows furrowed, eyes full of displeasure. She didn't need to guess what he wanted to say. 

Gripping the door frame, she was ready to shut the door, "What now?"

"That kid definitely still has feelings for you," Clifford said, blocking the door with his hand, his voice low.

Camila scoffed, letting him in and closing the door with a hint of impatience, "Since we met, haven't there been enough men trying to get close to me? You know that."

"I know, but he's crossed the line. He used to just want to be around you, now he wants more. I can't tolerate that."

Clifford sat in a chair, his tone firm, "I'll say this once, you better deal with him soon, or else..."

"Or else what?" Camila frowned. 

"Are you threatening me?"

"Come home with me."

They spoke simultaneously. Camila's eyes widened, her hair tie falling to the carpet. She hadn't expected Clifford to make such a request.

"My dad's back. I want you to meet him."

Camila picked up the hair tie, her mind racing, "Why? Are you crazy?"

She and Clifford were never that close. Why should she meet his father?

Moreover, the Thompson family was even more complicated than the Garcia family. 

Clifford's father, Stephen Thompson, hadn't remarried after losing his wife ten years ago, but kept two mistresses at home.

The two women were constantly vying to give birth to a child and thus become the next "Mrs. Thompson", but after all this time, neither had succeeded.

"Are you saying my family won't accept you?"

Clifford sneered, "Don't worry, before I officially take over the Thompson family, I'm not stupid enough to tell my father we're getting married."

"Those two women have been causing trouble lately. I need to put them in their place."

So that's why he suddenly appeared at Whisperwind Reef.

Camila twirled the hair tie around her fingers. Knowing Clifford, if she went with him, she might gain some benefits.

Just then, Willie's clear voice came from outside, tentative, "Camila, are you ready? Everyone's waiting for you."

Camila rubbed her temples, feeling exhausted, and walked to the door, calling out, "I'm fine. I'm just tired. You all go ahead. I want to rest."

There was a brief silence before Willie gently asked, "Do you need me to bring you some food?"

"No, thank you."

Clifford sat on the sofa, listening to their conversation, a mocking smile on his lips, "That kid's getting more casual with you. Soon, he'll make a move."

Camila couldn't stand his sarcastic tone, turning to glare at him, "So what? What are you trying to say?"

He didn't respond, slowly standing and walking towards her. His shadow stretched under the light, enveloping her.

The next moment, Clifford grabbed her waist, pushing her onto the bed. 

The soft mattress sank, and before Camila could react, his voice, hot and possessive, whispered in her ear.

"Nothing to say." His fingers brushed her cheek, his gaze deep as the ocean, "But don't forget, Camila, you're mine."