Zachary was a businessman, and profits always came first in his world. After he heard what I said, he placed a gold card in front of me. “Ms. Stovall, you don’t have to worry about your child’s future. The money I have here is enough for you to purchase a suite in K City. Whatever you need down the road, name it, and I’ll help you.”
I smiled faintly. Wow, they’re certainly all in on this!
I grinned as I examined the gold card on the table. The whole thing was rather absurd. “How terrible it must have been to suffer the loss of a daughter for twenty years. I suppose it must be painful for Ms. Larson as well, spending her early years without her parents. You two have gone through this, and it’s certainly not what I want my child to experience. I believe my child would prefer staying with his parents over swimming in luxury.”
After a pause, I went on, “In addition, the Fuller Corporation’s current financial entitlements may be insufficient compared to what you have, but this doesn’t mean that it will stay that way. You admire Ashton, so you must know that his future is quite promising. If that’s the case, I don’t have to seek farther for what I want.”
Cameron and Zachary exchanged glances, feeling rather embarrassed.
I shrugged as the coffee was served. “I admire the love you have for your children. And perhaps I’m envious too. But that’s all there is. Ms. Larson is lucky to have such supportive parents, but I want to secure a better future for my child as well.”
Cameron let out a loose sigh and said, “Zachary and I haven’t thought this through. Please, Ms. Stovall, don’t take this to heart. As parents, it’s easy to lose our sense of propriety for the sake of our children.”
I nodded, “Yes, of course!”
I have said everything that should be said. I supposed there was nothing more for me to add that would not be a waste of breath.
I grabbed the bag beside me and made to get up, maintaining my composure as I took my leave. “I understand your objective in meeting me today. I’ve also made myself very clear. If there’s nothing else you want to say, I’ll be leaving.”
I had barely taken several steps when Cameron rushed in front of me, looking shaky. “Ms. Stovall, please take this. You’re still young. You still have plenty of opportunities to have children in the future. Please reconsider. Allow Zachary and I to take you in as our goddaughter, and you can enjoy the same prospects as Rebecca does. All you need to do is give up Ashton, and you shall receive tenfold of your current privileges. I know you’ll be mad, but I beg you to think about it.”
This was all quite laughable to me. Looking at the bank card she pressed into in my hand, I grinned, “Ms. Anderson, I’ve always thought of you as someone sensible, empathetic, and governed by principles. But now, you seem quite ordinary to me. You talk about taking me in as a goddaughter, but honestly, even if I were your flesh and blood, I don’t think I’d admit that we’re related. We’d better go our separate ways.”
Cameron looked like she wanted to say something, but I shoved her aside. Humans are really disgusting creatures. We carve out an image to show that we are good and harmless, call ourselves entrepreneurs, and then shamelessly accept the admiration and praise of others. Even so, we aren’t able to conceal our shady nature.
Cameron lost her footing and fell to the ground. Repulsed, I looked on coldly as Zachary helped her up. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it,” I said flatly.
“That’s presumptuous! I only hope that Ms. Stovall won’t think that our methods are too cruel.” Zachary’s anger had begun to show, and his plucky face turned hostile. “Since Ms. Stovall rejected such a peaceful settlement, we shall resolve this differently.”
“Surprise me!” With that, I left the premises. After experiencing such an ordeal, I couldn’t help but thank my grandmother. She might have been living a hard life all these years, but she had taught me to follow my conscience. Thus, I did not become as corrupted as them.
I exited the coffee shop and headed straight to the company.
To be frank, I was not in a good mood, but I could bear it.
I bumped into Nick downstairs. He seemed to be in a hurry, so I pretended not to have seen him, but he came up to me instead.
He stepped into my path. “I haven’t seen you in a while. What have you been up to these days?”
“Work!”
His mouth twitched. “Come on, don’t be such an ice queen. At any rate, I’m still a fan of yours. Can’t you be a bit friendlier towards me?”
I turned to face him and changed the subject, “Where’s your biological father?” If Cameron is Nick’s mother, where did his father go?
Perhaps the question came up too suddenly, for his face instantly sank. He scowled at me, “Why do you ask?”
“Just curious!” Cameron was a piece of work too. Who knows how many men she has bedded.
“He’s dead.” He dropped a simple reply, then carried on, “Have dinner with me tonight. I will answer all your questions then.”
“Not interested!” I steered away from him and entered the elevator.
“I’ll cook for you,” He added hurriedly.
The elevator doors closed, automatically putting an end to his nonsense.
Back at the office, I called for Stacey, who did not look very well. I couldn’t help but ask, “What happened to you?”
She sighed. “Mr. Fuller wanted to look at AC’s audit personally. I’m so stressed right now.”
I chuckled. “There’s nothing to be stressed about. He just wants to take a look at it. You know I do that too. What’s the difference? Just dock it like you always do, and there won’t be a problem.”
