Camille pressed on, leaving no room for Crystal to evade.
Crystal either gave an answer or refused to answer.
Only two choices.
Crystal pursed her lips, hesitated, and finally just murmured softly, “Camille, things are complicated. I don’t know how to tell you. To be honest, it’s a big risk for me to tell you since Mr. Simpson doesn’t tell you himself. You know Mr. Simpson’s capabilities better than anyone else. If he finds out, both the Bill family and I will pay the price.”
“But Camille, I don’t want to hide anything from you. I want to tell you the truth because I consider you a friend. As long as you ask me, I will tell you everything I know.”
Crystal expressed her stance and also informed Camille that if she didn’t want to return to the Bill family, it was fine because Ayan was there to support her. The Bill family wouldn’t dare to make any rash moves for now.
Crystal disclosed all of the Bill family’s current plans to Camille, including their intention to acknowledge her at this time.
She said, “If it weren’t for Mr. Simpson, I wouldn’t believe it either. Mr. Simpson loves you very much, and everything he has done is to protect you and prevent you from any harm or exploitation. Initially, even I was kept in the dark. If I had told you everything from the beginning, you would probably have been manipulated by the Bill family.”
She spoke candidly, saying everything that needed to be said.
Camille listened and felt a heavy burden in her heart.
Although she had already mentally prepared herself and knew that she had no blood relation with the Armstrong family, hearing Crystal’s words stirred up complex emotions and feelings within her.
Although Crystal tried her best to convey the truth in a lighthearted tone, Camille’s mood remained heavy.
Camille followed up on Crystal’s words and asked, “Can you tell me about my relationship with the Bill family?”
Crystal revealed everything she knew.
Kathleen was Camille’s nominal mother because she had no blood relation to Camille. She became Camille’s stepmother after she married Camille’s biological father.
Camille’s mind became a bit chaotic. “Then what about my biological mother?”
“I don’t know. Not even my aunt knows-she’s never met her,” Crystal replied.
“I see.” Camille pressed her lips together, feeling even more conflicted inside. Not having met her could mean her biological mother was gone or that she had simply abandoned her.
The implications of those two scenarios were vastly different.
Camille then asked for some basic details about the people involved.
However, Crystal didn’t have much information, as the other party held a significant status and wealth that commanded respect. From Crystal, Camille could only glean a last name.
Besides that, there were no further details available.
Camille asked Crystal, “Is it just your aunt who wants to acknowledge me?”
“Not just her. Your grandfather probably feels the same way. We just don’t know why there hasn’t been any movement on that front.” That was something Crystal couldn’t quite figure out, and the Bill family found it odd as well.
Camille acknowledged this with a nod and then took the initiative to ask, “Can I go to Flento City? I want to meet your aunt. Just the three of us-no one else can know.”
Some matters transcended mere interests.
The Bill family had their own plans, and Camille had her own thoughts as well.
Ayan had already helped her a lot. She didn’t want to keep troubling him. Although they were a couple, she still wanted to handle some things on her own.
Besides, this matter wasn’t trivial for her. It was important. She wanted to personally take care of it.
Regardless of the outcome or what it entailed, Camille wanted clarity for herself.
Crystal was taken aback by Camille’s proposal. “You want to meet my aunt?”
“Yes, do you think it’s possible?”
“Camille, honestly speaking, I’m not very willing for you to meet her. How should I put it? You are my friend, and she is my aunt. She is my closest family member who treats me even better than my parents do-maybe because she has no children of her own-so she is especially fond of me. Perhaps it’s also because I became friends with you that she started treating me better than before. There are many things that I’m not suitable to say out loud. But she has her own agenda in wanting to get close to you, Camille. Are you sure you want to meet her?”
Crystal explained the pros and cons clearly because Camille had previously told her that as long as one’s actions aligned with their conscience, then everything was fine.
So Crystal didn’t want any regrets or for her family to hurt her friend.
Both were important. Neither could be neglected.
So she had to be honest with Camille and leave the final decision in Camille’s hands.
Camille had no objections or hesitation about this matter. She directly said, “I understand what you mean. I’m really happy that you can say this to me. But don’t worry. I have thought it through. Since I now know all this information, I feel I should meet her. Besides, it’s just a meeting. It doesn’t mean I agree to anything!”
In the end, Camille agreed on a time with Crystal. She would go to Flento City tomorrow. Crystal decided to cancel her ticket to Hance City, planning to return with Camille after their meeting.
After talking with Crystal for quite a while, Camille ended the call. She sat on a stone bench without moving, resting her cheek on her hand as she stared blankly at the river view before her.
She stayed by the river for quite some time before getting up and returning to her car.
She drove straight back to Franklin Bay.
Ayan hadn’t returned yet. Perhaps he was still at the SynergyCon project team.
Taking advantage of this time, Camille called Yessica about some work-related matters, and then said to Yessica, “Come with me on a business trip tomorrow to Flento City. Do you remember Bluesky Properties? We worked together once before. They want us to come for a business meeting. There might be an opportunity for another collaboration.”
Yessica didn’t think much of it. She thought it was related to work and immediately responded excitedly, “Really? That’s great! I can already imagine how generous our year-end bonuses will be.”
Camille chuckled at Yessica’s words. Her mood had been heavy, but Yessica’s words lifted some of that weight off her shoulders.
She brought Yessica along so as not to raise suspicion from Ayan-only this way could she smoothly go see Kathleen in Flento City.
After ending her call with Yessica, Camille waited for Ayan to return.
It was likely that the SynergyCon project team had encountered some tricky issues today. Otherwise, Ayan would have been home by now.
After all, it was already time for work hours to end.
Feeling bored, Camille went into the garden to wait for Ayan but encountered Sienna first.
Sienna was brought back by Rex since she was pregnant now. Pregnant women required special care and attention.
Sienna took Camille’s hand and asked, “What happened today? Were you really that busy? I asked Yessica. She said you didn’t even go there today! Are you lying?”