Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Giovani walked into the hospital room and headed straight to Camila. He gently took the red roses from her arms and casually placed them on the table beside her.
“You must be hungry. Grandma made this herself–give it a try. He set the insulated food container on the dining table.
Michael, who had been completely ignored, felt annoyed.
He looked Giovani up and down, secretly impressed by the man’s strong presence. However, his pride wouldn’t allow him to back down, so he straightened his posture, puffed out his chest, and tried to exude his own commanding aura.
Giovani paid him no attention. Instead, he carefully unpacked the dishes from the container and arranged them neatly before taking a seat by the window.
Camila was indeed hungry, but with Michael here, she felt anxious and uneasy. She didn’t have the appetite to eat at all.
Her pale face carried a trace of panic as she asked, “Michael, why are you here?”
Michael had thought that bringing her flowers while she was sick would earn him gratitude.
Yet not only was she ungrateful, but she also looked at him as if he were a ghost. From her tone, it was clear that she had no desire to see him at all.
His pride took a hit, and his irritation grew. “What? I can’t visit you without a reason?”
Camila lowered her gaze. If there were no reason, she wouldn’t even be worth Michael’s time.
Besides, every time they met in the past, she had to endure his sharp words and mockery.
With such treatment, how could she ever look forward to his visits?
What worried her more was Michael’s close ties with the Jackson family. If he found her, it was only a matter of time before they did too.
That family of lunatics was determined to use her in a political marriage with Mr. Campbell from Northeville just to gain a foothold in the Eastville project.
For Hazel and Lucy’s sake, she had initially planned to compromise.
But ever since last night, when she realized that her needlework could fetch an astronomical price, she no longer wanted to sacrifice herself.
The key was to stay hidden from the Jackson family. If they found her, she’d be dragged back.
As long as she had enough time, she could make money through her needlework. Once she secured Hazel and Lucy’s future, she would have nothing left to fear.
When that day came, she wouldn’t mind going to war with the Jackson family.
Absentmindedly, she picked up a spoon and stirred the soup before her, but it tasted bland–she couldn’t taste anything at
all.
Michael, seeing her unwelcoming attitude, frowned deeply.
People always flattered him–when had he ever been so blatantly disliked?
Feeling utterly vexed, he reached for a cigarette.
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Chapter 76
But before he could light it, a deep voice interrupted him. “Don’t smoke.”
Giovani’s gaze carried an undeniable authority. Michael felt an inexplicable sense of guilt, but his pride wouldn’t let him back down. “What’s it to you if I smoke?”
Giovani remained unbothered, replying calmly, “This is a hospital room.”
Michael clenched his teeth and reluctantly shoved the cigarette and lighter back into his pocket. “Camila didn’t say anything, but you sure like to meddle.”
As he spoke, his eyes darted toward Camila.
She hesitated for a moment before saying softly, “I… don’t like the smell of smoke.”
Michael’s expression darkened. “Really, Camila? Who the hell is this guy that you’re defending him? I’ve known you for over eight years, and I had no idea you even knew someone like him,”
Camila found Michael’s reaction absurd. She hadn’t even said much, yet he was getting angry.
Seeing her silence, Michael felt his head buzz with frustration.
He had come with good intentions, yet not only was he unwelcome, but she was also siding with some random guy.
Fuming, he turned to leave.
Camila panicked. “Michael!”
He stopped at the door but didn’t turn around.
Hearing the urgency in her voice, however, satisfied his ego, and his mood lightened considerably.
“Can you not tell the Jackson family that I’m here?” she asked, her tone carrying a hint of pleading.
Michael wasn’t an unreasonable person. He already knew Camila had been wronged–there was no way he’d make things worse for her.
His tone softened. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell them.”
After a pause, he added, “I won’t tell Owen or William either.”
Camila finally let out a breath of relief. “Thank you.”
Her gratitude instantly dissipated Michael’s anger.
His voice lightened. “Just focus on getting better. I… I’ll come visit when I have time.”
With that, he left.
The room fell silent.
Camila’s mood lifted, and she finally felt hungry again.
As she ate, Giovani remained by the window, engrossed in his book.
Sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow around him. It outlined his tall, slender figure, highlighting his poised and refined demeanor.
His fingers gently held the edge of the page, occasionally turning it as he read.
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The gold–rimmed glasses perched on his nose reflected a faint shimmer in the light, accentuating his deep, thoughtful gaze.
Camila glanced up and saw this scene. A wave of warmth surged through her heart.
She had met all kinds of people in her life, but few had truly treated her well.
She had once believed Owen, her childhood friend, genuinely cared for her. But reality had dealt her a harsh slap in the face.
The wealthy looked down on her background.
The Jackson family did. William did. Michael did. So did countless others.
Over time, she had come to view the rich as cold and ruthless–until she met Giovani.
He was different from anyone she had ever encountered in high society. Composed, reserved, and impeccably well- mannered, he was like the noble gentlemen from those grand aristocratic families in period dramas–graceful, cultured, and steeped in heritage.
Sensing her gaze, Giovani looked up from his book.
Caught off guard by his deep eyes, Camila momentarily forgot to breathe.
Giovani, unfazed by her flustered expression, asked in a low, gentle voice, “Do you like the food?”
Snapping back to reality, a faint blush crept up her cheeks. “Lindsey’s cooking is wonderful.”
After speaking, she bit her lip, suddenly remembering how she had drunk two whole bottles of his wine last night.
She had no idea how much they were worth, but considering he drove a Rolls–Royce, anything he owned had to be expensive.
And she had finished both bottles without leaving him a drop.
The thought made her face burn with embarrassment.
She couldn’t even recall if she had done anything foolish while drunk. She liked to think she had decent self–control, so her drinking behavior should be fine… right?
With that in mind, she looked at Giovani earnestly. “Mr. Campbell, how much were those two bottles of wine from last night? I’ll pay you back.”
Giovani watched her with amusement, the corners of his lips subtly curving upward. “150 thousand dollars per bottle,” he said.
Camila’s eyes widened. “So… I drank 300 thousand dollars in one night? That’s an entire house!”
Her face turned completely red.
“I… I’ll pay you back,” she stammered.
Giovani closed his book and looked at her, finding her embarrassed expression rather amusing.
“And how exactly do you plan to do that?” he asked.
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Chapter 77
