Chapter 40 She Can Endure More
William’s heart skipped a beat at Camila’s words, as though they had struck at his most vulnerable spot.
For a moment, he almost believed there was some hidden emotion in her words. But when he met her cold, indifferent gaze, he realized that her words were nothing more than mockery
Yet, even so, for a fleeting instant, he let himself believe her, his heart racing. When the realization hit that she had never felt anything different for him, his eyes filled with complex emotions became unnervingly red
The sight terrified Camila. Unable to control herself, she pushed him again.
But William remained unmoving, like a mountain. His presence was oppressive, suffused with an almost tangible darkness “You really think I’ll let you marry another man?”
His words were loaded with ambiguity, and they sent Camila’s heart racing even faster
She met his obsessive gaze, uneasy, before quickly dropping her own. “Who I marry is none of your business.”
William’s brows furrowed slightly, then he suddenly let out a cold laugh. The sound reverberated in the small storage room, carrying a chilling, suffocating air.
“None of my business? You speak so casually. As long as my sister is still unconscious, your life belongs to the Connor family. Do you really think it’s not my business?” he asked.
As he spoke, he tightened his grip on her shoulders, as if trying to crush all the years of obsession he had into that one
moment.
Pain shot through Camila’s injured shoulder, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself to hold it together. Her hands trembled slightly.
The palm of William’s hand, still recently bandaged, began to bleed again under the pressure.
But it was as though he didn’t even feel the pain. Or perhaps, he was punishing both himself and Carmila.
He kept squeezing, the blood spilling out and staining Camila’s clothes. For a moment, it was impossible to tell whether the blood was his or hers.
William despised himself in that moment. He had once loved her deeply, even planned to go to the same university and confess his feelings to her.
Back then, he was full of dreams for the future. But all his hopes were shattered by Camila.
Five years had passed, and he thought he had moved on. But as he heard that she was about to marry someone else, a wave of jealousy erupted inside him, uncontrollable, like a swarm of insects gnawing at his heart.
He thought, ‘How could I still love her? She hurt Emily. She is a criminal. She doesn’t deserve it.‘
William just stared at Camila, his emotions slowly settling into cold indifference. The fire in his eyes was extinguished, replaced by an icy emptiness.
That gaze, as cold as a winter’s frost, had no warmth left. Finally, the hand that had been holding her tight loosened.
Camila shrank into the corner, and it wasn’t until William left the room that her eyelids, as fragile as an insect’s wings, fluttered slightly.
Meanwhile, in the study, Harry stood before his parents, agitation written all over his face. “Dad, Mom, you know that the heir of the Campbell family has a terrible reputation.
“Why are you pushing Camila to marry into that family? No matter what, she’s your own daughter. Even if you don’t like her, you shouldn’t let her fall into this trap.”
Arthur slammed his hand on the table, his voice thunderous. “Nonsense! What do you mean, ‘harm her‘? With her background, if she can marry into the Campbell family, it’s a blessing.”
Harry looked at Arthur with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. His lips quivered. “Dad, Camila’s health was destroyed during those five years in prison. Are you really going to marry her off to a violent man, to end her life?”
The thought of Camila’s frail, broken body facing the uncertainty of the Campbell family filled Harry with a deep sense** anger and worry.
Arthur’s face turned a deep shade of anger, his eyes wide and his voice rising. “If she doesn’t marry him, do you want Agnes to marry him instead?”
Harry froze, his body tense. He turned to glance sympathy.
Successfully unlocked!
wful gaze, and his heart clenched with
But he couldn’t bear the thought of Camila being the one to make this sacrifice. “But…”
“No buts!” Arthur snapped, his tone softening slightly. “The auction is only a few days away, and the Campbell family from
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Chapter 40 She Can Enture More
Northeville is set on that land in Eastville. Even if the Jackson and Connor families join forces, we might still lose to the
Campbell family.
“If the Campbell family secures that land, it’ll slowly eat away at the Jackson family’s commercial standing in Sancho Frowning, Arthur continued, his expression heavy with concern. “The authorities have already insued a directive to prioritize the Eastville project. Once it’s developed, Sancho’s business district will gradually shift to Eastville.
“If the Campbell family controls Eastville, they’ll hold the economic lifeblood of Sancho in their hands.
“Neither the Jackson nor the Connor family can stand up to the Campbell family. The only option we have is to make a strategic move and cooperate with them. A marriage alliance is the best way forward.”
Harry clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white. A deep sense of guilt washed over him as he thought of Camila Meanwhile, Belinda began quietly sobbing. “Harry, we don’t want this either, but with the family business and so many employees to support, we don’t have another choice.”
She wiped away her tears, voice breaking. “Do you think your father and I feel good about this? I haven’t been able to sleep for days, just thinking about Camila having to go through all of this.”
She sniffled and continued, “I’m her mother, and my love for her is no less than yours. Yes, the Campbell family heir has a bad reputation, but his family background is solid. The rumors might not even be true–maybe he’s not as cruel as people say.”
Harry remained silent. He understood his parents‘ concerns. When it came to family interests, personal happiness seemed almost irrelevant.
Arthur, Belinda, and Harry all fell silent, the atmosphere in the room growing awkward.
Then, Agnes, with a soft sniffle, spoke up, “Mom, Dad, I’m willing to marry the Campbell family heir in place of Camila. At her words, all three turned to look at her.
Agnes’s eyes were red, and tears were brimming in her eyes. She looked devastated, but she forced a smile. “If it’ll help the Jackson family business, I’m willing to do anything.
“I’ve never been your biological daughter. When Camila returned to the family, I should have left, but I was too young and loved you all too much to leave.
“Now that I’m older, I want to contribute to the family, and I’m willing to marry for the good of the Jackson family.”
She spoke with such maturity that the tears she had been holding back finally fell. Her voice grew hoarse as she continued, “Mom, Dad, after I marry, will you still accept me?”
Belinda’s tears began to flow freely. She pulled Agnes into her arms, sobbing, “Silly girl, what are you saying? In my heart, you’ll always be my own daughter. How could I bear to send you to marry someone so unstable? We won’t go through with this…”
Seeing the tender moment between mother and daughter, Arthur sighed deeply, moved by the scene.
He turned to Harry. “Agnes is so thoughtful, so kind. We’ve raised her with so much care for over twenty years. Can you really stand by and let her make this sacrifice?”
Agnes turned her head and softly said, “Dad, I’m fine. If it helps our family, I’ll do whatever’s needed.” She sniffled, wiped her nose, and forced another smile.
The more she said this, the more reluctant Harry felt. He shut his eyes tightly and, with a heavy heart, murmured, “Camila… can endure more than you.”
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