“Vice President Lynch, spare me… I’m old now… I have a heart condition…”
“Do you see clearly now who hit you?” Cameron asked coldly.
“Do you now understand who Miss Campbell is?”
“I understand… I understand!”
“Do you still want to bully her here?”
“I dare not, I dare not!” Edward cried and gasped, “I won’t dare anymore, I won’t dare! Vice President Lynch, if I had known Miss Campbell was yours… Oh… I wouldn’t have dared to disrespect her…”
Cameron looked cold and powerful, exuding an air of authority that couldn’t be ignored. This version of him always easily stirred my heartstrings.
Cameron remained silent for a moment, then finally moved his foot aside. With a glance, someone helped Edward up from the ground, picking up the scattered agreement papers.
“Mr. Baker, have you read this agreement?”
Edward held his head, blood still seeping out, staining his fingertips.
“I have, I have,” he nodded repeatedly, looking quite obedient.
Cameron tossed a pen over to him.
Edward didn’t speak anymore, his hands trembling as he signed the document.
Cameron swiftly collected the agreement and handed it to me. Then, he took my hand and we left in front of everyone’s eyes.
It wasn’t until we got into his car and he brought me back to the apartment that I snapped out of my daze. I looked at the man before me, who seemed to have a deadly attraction.
Yes, deadly attraction…
I took a deep breath, trying hard not to tremble.
Truth be told, I was very scared, ever since Edward first laid hands on me. I had never experienced such a thing, and all I could do was protect myself as best as I could, at most pouring wine over his head.
But Cameron had just smashed his head.
I smiled unconsciously. Wrapped in his coat, the faint scent gave me infinite security.
He had once again intruded into my world, once again putting me in a dilemma.
“Who arranged for you to have dinner with Edward?” Cameron handed me a glass of water, his expression grim.
I lowered my head, remaining silent.
Cameron snorted softly, “Edward is a womanizer, that’s no secret in the business world. Whoever arranged this for you had malicious intentions!”
“This is a job, and if I don’t do it, someone else will.”
“Others ain’t as green as you!” he snapped, “When you get offered a gig like that, ain’t you got the sense to say no?”
“Mr. Lynch,” bitterness crept into my voice, “Jobs don’t exactly grow on trees. Can’t afford to be too choosy, you know?”
“You quit this job, I’ll find a way for you.”
“No need.” I stood up, turning towards the door.
“Come back!” Cameron grabbed me, “Laura, you work for Carter, do you think he’ll treat you well?”
“And if I work for you, will you treat me well?” I pushed him away abruptly. “Cameron, don’t forget, it was you who kicked me out of Jerez State three years ago!”
“Laura!”
“Cameron, let me go.” I closed my eyes, feeling a pang in my chest with every breath.
With my back to him, I spoke softly, “Actually, I should thank you… If it weren’t for your cruelty back then, I wouldn’t have gone to the United States. Despite the hardships I faced there, my days were fulfilling, and I grew a lot. All thanks to you. Cameron, now I understand more about the interdependence of good and bad fortune; one cannot simply judge something as purely good or bad. So…”
“So leaving you might be a good thing for me. Working under Carter may not be a bad thing either.”
“What kind of fallacy is that?” Cameron grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to look at him. “Laura, Carter’s intentions are not pure. For over a decade, he has hidden too much!”
“Oh, really?” I chuckled lightly. “Not pure? Well, you two brothers are quite alike, saying the same words to me!”
His expression changed, “Has Carter said anything to you?”
I shook my head.
I felt exhausted, not wanting to say another word.
After a moment of silence, I told him, “Cameron, I was recommended to The Lynch Group by a professor. I don’t want to get involved in your conflicts. I just want to do my job well. I’m not like you; you were born with everything, while I’m the daughter of a murderer! I need a job!”
“I can help you! Why don’t you use the money I’ve given you during your three years abroad? Are you trying to cut ties with me completely?”
I stared at him silently.
He sneered, “Laura, stop dreaming, it’s not possible! You’ve been with The Lynch Family for fifteen years. For these fifteen years, everything you have is from The Lynch Family.”
“Cameron!” I trembled all over. “I won’t forget The Lynch Family’s kindness. But the current Laura has no relation to The Lynch Family… Since my identity was exposed, since I killed Jacob Campbell, since you forced me to leave Jerez State, since you married Queenie… I have had no relationship with The Lynch Family!”
“If you truly want to cut ties with The Lynch Family, then leave Glory Construction Company, leave Carter immediately!”
“Why should I?” I was burning with anger.
“Just because Carter wants to use you!”
“Inheritance?” I looked at him, suddenly feeling that this man was unreasonable. “He wants to use me, what about you?”
Cameron froze, a hint of complexity passing through his eyes.
He furrowed slightly and asked softly after a moment, “Carter told you everything?”
“Yes.” I pushed him away. “He told me everything. The Lynch Family has an inheritance, but the ridiculous part is that the will states whoever marries me has the right to use that inheritance. In other words, only when I sign and confirm with the lawyer, will the will take effect. Only then will the substantial amount of money be transferred to The Lynch Group’s account!”
Cameron remained silent, his gaze fixed on me.
“Cameron, this is what you and Carter are fighting over,” I smiled. “Whoever gets this money essentially gains control over The Lynch Family.”
“Laura, it’s not as you think!”
“Let me finish.” I looked at him. “Cameron, I understand now why you insisted on kicking me out back then. You didn’t want me to have much contact with Carter. You were afraid I’d be charmed by him, marry him, and then you’d have no chance… Now, you won’t let me work at Glory Construction Company, probably for the same reason.”
“Laura!”
“Cameron, I don’t want to get involved in the feud between you and your brother. If necessary, I can write a statement.” I clenched my fists, nails digging deep into my flesh.
A voice deep inside told me, Laura, you’re attached to this man. You’ve loved him since you were young, for more than a decade. No matter how he treats you, you’ll always be devoted to him.
But this kind of love is too painful.
When he could really use you, you’ll be devastated.
Leaving him might also hurt, but wounds heal over time.
It’s better than staying by his side, being hurt by that unrequited love.
A barrier seemed to rise between Cameron and me. Face to face, but seemed separated by the greatest distance in the world.
After a long while, his low voice sounded, “Laura, is this what you truly think?”
“Yes.”
“From beginning to end, do you really believe I have no feelings for you?”
“Not exactly.” I chuckled bitterly. “Mr. Lynch, haven’t you always treated me as a plaything? People may have some feelings towards their playthings, but not deep. They discard them when necessary, use them when needed. You should be quite familiar with this!”
“Laura…”
Just from his icy tone, I knew how much he hated me.
I raised my eyes, meeting his sharp gaze.
He suddenly pounced on me, pinning my hands and pressing me onto the couch… His kisses rained down densely, but there was no tenderness, only ruthless retaliation.
His large hands roamed over me recklessly… He bit me fiercely, pinched me, kneaded me… Every move was filled with deep hatred.
“Cameron!” I struggled desperately, tears stinging my eyes.
He quickened his pace, increased his strength.
Soon, my clothes were torn to pieces…
“Well!” His eyes were red. “Laura, tonight you’ll be my plaything!”
“No!” I exerted all my strength, slapping him hard. “Cameron, let go!”
“Cameron, don’t forget you have a wife!” I cried hysterically. “Queenie is waiting for you at home, how can you do this! You’re a married man, please respect others, and respect yourself!”
“Yeah, I have a wife!” He paused, “So what? You’re just a plaything! You’ve degraded yourself so much, I don’t need to respect you!”
“Cameron…”
“Three years passed, I want to see if my little plaything’s skills in pleasing men have deteriorated!”
Suddenly, a tearing pain spread between my legs.
I bit my lip tightly, enduring his thrusts.