Chapter 84

"Otherwise, as long as I'm around, she can forget about stepping foot into the Thompson family."

Clifford held Camila's hand, feeling the tension in her fingers. Just as Camila was about to speak up, Clifford gently shook his head, his eyes firm. "Don't waste your breath on him. I'm not listening to a word he says."

He then looked up, meeting Stephen's gaze with defiance. "I love her. So what? Do you really think your words are gonna change my mind?"

"You're underestimating me."

With that, Clifford stopped paying attention to Stephen and led Camila towards the room on the second floor.

Once inside, he noticed the serious expression still on Camila's face. His heart softened a bit, and he reached out to ruffle her hair, smiling slightly. "Don't worry, he won't dare do anything."

"My mom left me a lot before she passed, including some company shares and assets," he said, walking to the window and gazing at the garden outside. His voice was low and calm. "Once I turn twenty-five, all those rights will kick in."

"So, when I have enough capital, I can stand up to my dad without having to look at his face."

As he said this, a rare innocent smile appeared on his face, like a child dreaming of the future. But Camila, seeing his smile, felt anything but relieved; her heart grew heavier.

Clifford didn't notice Camila's change in mood. He turned and took a delicate box from the bedside drawer. Inside was a beautiful diamond bracelet, shimmering faintly under the light, clearly worth a fortune.

"This was my mom's," Clifford said, holding up the bracelet and offering it to Camila, his eyes full of anticipation. "I'm giving it to you now."

Camila looked at the diamond bracelet, her throat tightening. She swallowed, her voice dry. "You said bringing me home was just to intimidate those two women. You never mentioned this."

"Of course, I didn't. If I had, would you have come back with me?" Clifford frowned, a hint of frustration in his voice.

He stepped forward, trying to put the bracelet on Camila's wrist. But Camila instinctively stepped back, hiding her hand behind her, refusing to accept it.

After a long struggle, Clifford finally gave up. He placed the bracelet back in the box, feeling defeated, and collapsed onto the bed, his hands covering his face. His eyes were slightly wet.

His voice was filled with disappointment. "I don't understand why you reject me so much."

Camila stood still, her hand tightly hidden behind her, her gaze falling on Clifford's despondent profile, her emotions a mix of confusion and sorrow.

She took a deep breath and spoke slowly. "I've told you before, I never planned on getting married. Love isn't my priority right now. The more you push me, the further away you'll drive me."

Clifford sat up abruptly, his eyes fixed on Camila, his voice urgent and doubtful. "Is it because of Willie?"

Camila shook her head at the mention of "Willie," her voice firm. "It has nothing to do with anyone. I've come back with you, so you need to keep your promise."

She hesitated before speaking again. "Can you help me find someone?" She gave Clifford Sam's basic information.

Clifford listened, his expression still sour, clearly upset about the earlier incident. But he suppressed his emotions and nodded in agreement.

Camila felt a slight relief at his agreement. She stood up and said to Clifford, "I'm going for a walk," then turned and quietly left the room.

She had barely stepped out when she saw the Thompson family's butler standing at the end of the hallway. He seemed unsurprised to see Camila leave the room so soon, as if he had expected it.

"Ms. Wilson, Mr. Stephen Thompson requests your presence," the butler said respectfully, bowing slightly.

Camila's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Stephen to summon her so quickly. But she suppressed her unease, nodded, and followed the butler to the study.

Stephen's study was simple and elegant, with bookshelves filled with various books. A faint scent filled the air, soothing and calming.

Camila stood in the center of the study, waiting quietly. After a while, Stephen emerged from the inner room, his gaze falling on Camila. His eyes no longer sharp, but rather inquisitive.

"I sometimes wonder how a woman as ordinary as you managed to captivate Clifford so completely," Stephen said, sipping his coffee, his tone flat. "When you were younger, I didn't see this potential in you."

Camila didn't get angry at his words. Instead, she smiled slightly, her voice calm. "Maybe Clifford is just too pure."

She paused, then continued, "Clifford is straightforward and kind. Once he decides on someone, he's very steadfast."

Stephen set down his coffee cup, crossing his hands on the desk, looking at Camila with a meaningful smile. "Let's be honest. I've investigated you."

Camila wasn't surprised by this. Knowing Stephen's character, she expected him to look into her background once he knew she was close to Clifford. She remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Everything you've done is to investigate your sister's death, isn't it?" Stephen's tone suddenly turned serious, his eyes locked onto Camila, not missing any subtle expression on her face.

Camila's body stiffened instantly, her hand clenching unconsciously. She had always known that her secret investigation into her sister Laura's death would eventually be discovered.

But she hadn't expected it to happen so soon, and by Stephen, of all people.

Seeing her lower her head in silence, Stephen knew he had guessed correctly. He continued, "After your sister Laura died, news of your engagement to Albert from the Garcia Group surfaced online. I found it odd."

"You and Laura lived in the orphanage for so long, and the Garcia Group never reached out to you, clearly intending to break the marriage agreement with your parents."

"Why would they suddenly decide to honor the agreement and have you marry Albert?" Stephen's tone was full of skepticism.

Camila looked up, her eyes complicated.

Indeed, everything had been meticulously planned by her.