From Crystal’s introductions, Ayan learned that the older pair were siblings. The man, John, was Crystal’s uncle, and the woman, Kathleen, was Crystal’s aunt, whom Camille had seen in Hance City that day.
As for the other two individuals, they were Crystal’s cousins.
John took the initiative to speak up, “Mr. Simpson, the Bill family is also a prominent and respectable family. Isn’t today’s arrangement a bit inappropriate?”
Ayan glanced at him indifferently, his voice devoid of warmth as he asked, “Then what do you think would be appropriate?”
John hesitated for a moment, his expression turning extremely unpleasant. With a hint of displeasure in his eyes, he said, “Mr. Simpson, we are not bad people. We don’t intend to curry favor with you through this matter. Our relationship should be based on equality. We are doing this so that she can reunite with her family. I don’t understand why you intervene. We only want to acknowledge her as our family member. Why do you oppose it?”
They expressed their dissatisfaction. If it weren’t for their fear of Ayan’s identity and status, they would never have cooperated like this.
Because they were afraid that if they didn’t cooperate, Ayan would use some means to deal with them.
So they felt helpless. Since Ayan was married to Camille, it naturally positioned him as the younger generation in their eyes, which meant they would unconsciously adopt a more authoritative demeanor around him.
But John’s words meant nothing to Ayan.
He just uttered a cold and indifferent remark.
“It may be good for you all, but it may not necessarily be good for her. After all, it is what you want. Have you ever asked her if that’s what she really wants? Besides, why did you only think of acknowledging her now after so many years? Was it because you couldn’t find her before or is there some other hidden reason?”
Ayan’s questioning instantly silenced them.
Both John and Kathleen had serious and uncomfortable expressions on their faces. Kathleen spoke softly, “Mr. Simpson, we didn’t want things to turn out like this either. We have never given up searching for her. But fate brought us together at this moment. So we hope Mr. Simpson can let us reunite as soon as possible.”
“Yes, no matter what happened in the past, now that we know where she is, it is only right to acknowledge her. It’s good for everyone involved. Mr. Simpson, as her husband, you should consider things from her perspective,” John added.
Only Crystal and her cousins remained silent with serious expressions on their faces.
Ayan smiled lightly and looked around at everyone with a coldness in his eyes as he said in a calm yet chilly tone, “So what exactly is her relationship with all of you? Until now, her so-called biological parents have never appeared. Is it because they can’t or is there some other hidden truth?”
His words chilled the atmosphere.
Everyone’s expressions turned extremely sour except for Ayan.
Crystal had a gloomy face and looked very dejected. Her cousins also seemed dissatisfied.
Crystal’s cousins almost simultaneously spoke up, “Since we’ve reached this point, just tell him the truth!”
The two elders remained silent with serious expressions on their faces.
Ayan didn’t urge them. He simply looked at them calmly with a glint of coldness in his eyes.
John then spoke up again, “Mr. Simpson, this is an internal matter of the Bill family. It would be better if you didn’t inquire further.”
“You just said that Camille and I are husband and wife. Shouldn’t I be the one to clarify the situation for my wife? If you acknowledge her only to make her shoulder some debts or legal responsibilities for your sake, wouldn’t that be unfair to her?” Ayan retorted.
“Mr. Simpson, you may disagree with us acknowledging her as our family member, but you shouldn’t utter such insulting words,” Kathleen said angrily. She couldn’t control her emotions anymore as she continued speaking, “Crystal may not be a member of the Bill family by blood, but she was born into our family and lived with us for several years. I am her nominal mother. These are all facts.”
Ayan narrowed his eyes slightly. No wonder the information gathered from Crystal was so limited. It turned out she wasn’t even a member of the Bill family.
He looked at Crystal calmly before speaking, “What kind of benefit made you go to such lengths to stay by her side? Did you want to cultivate a good relationship with her so she would selflessly devote herself to you like a best friend?”
If Crystal wasn’t the Bill family’s biological daughter or had any direct relation to them whatsoever, then why did Crystal insist on staying by Camille’s side? Or was everything just an act from the beginning?
After all, Camille initially met Crystal when she was selecting an assistant for her company at university.
It was he who had asked Talia’s sister, a professor at the school, to make the introduction.
If the Bill family could foresee all of this happening… wouldn’t it be too coincidental?
They were reaching too far!
Ayan’s questioning made Crystal’s face turn extremely pale. She quickly said, “Mr. Simpson, I never thought that way.”
“But that’s exactly what you did,” Ayan chuckled lightly.
There was a deep coldness in his eyes.
Ayan continued calmly, “Crystal, I’ve been considerate of your relationship with her and our long-standing collaboration, which is why I’ve tolerated you for so long. Even when you brought your aunt to disturb her, I didn’t hold it against you or make things difficult. Do you really think I’ve been patient because I’m afraid of you, and that’s why I keep letting things slide?”
Crystal’s face turned pale as she hurriedly replied,” Mr. Simpson, I never thought that way either. I have never had such intentions. I genuinely wanted to be friends with her.”
Ayan fell silent without giving any further response.
Crystal tried to explain, but ultimately, it didn’t get any results.
Ayan simply snorted and said coldly,” Honestly, I’m not really curious about what you are plotting, but if you think you can scheme against me or my people, you might be overestimating yourselves.”
The faces of several people turned cold. Their expressions varied greatly. The tense atmosphere lingered for quite some time until Ayan stood up and casually said,” Since there’s nothing more to discuss here, then let’s end it.”
With that, Ayan was about to leave.
John and Kathleen immediately stood up to stop him.
“Mr. Simpson, you can’t leave just yet.”
“What? Are you trying to restrict my freedom just because we’re in Hance City?”
“That’s not what we mean…” John sighed heavily. His expression became very somber.
After taking a deep breath, he continued, “Mr. Simpson… we have indeed hidden something from you, and we apologize.”
“What exactly have you hidden? If you don’t tell me, I can’t accept your apology so easily,” Ayan said with a faint smile on his lips.”