Chapter 1039: Pawn

Chapter 1039: Pawn

Ayan's stance and attitude were crystal clear. His words left the old

Simpson, Fletcher, and Talia in silent agreement. It was like a

resounding slap to Brody and Page's faces. Although Ayan's status and

influence far surpassed theirs in the business world, for Brody, Ayan

was still his junior, and being scolded by his junior in front of the old

Simpson and his parents was humiliating.

Brody, with a stern expression, turned to Ayan and snorted, "Ayan, with

your attitude, I will never allow Camille to remarry you. Since you are

divorced, there is no relationship left. So today, I hope you can assure

me in front of your grandfather and parents that you won't bother

Camille anymore. Don't cause a scene that tarnishes our reputation.”

Ayan couldn't help but laugh. He genuinely chuckled. Laughter played

across his features, and his deep eyes sparkled with amusement. He

calmly raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you suggesting I should stay

away from Camille and hand her over to your family, the Armstrongs?"

"Naturally. After all, you're divorced now. Regarding the child, we don't

want to compete, as it's a boy. We understand that you won't let go. But

Camille belongs to the Armstrong family. We are her parents. Now that

you are divorced, she should come back with us. Ayan, isn't it better to

part on good terms? Let's not make this ugly!" Brody said righteously.

His goal was clear-to take Camille back with them.

To an outsider unaware of the situation, he might even seem like a

caring father, but Camille, as a party to the situation, couldn't help but

wonder if she had missed something. Why were Brody and Page so

insistent on taking her back?

Of course, she knew that their motivations were primarily driven by their

self-interest, especially with the Wesley family still present in Hance

City.

A cynical smile played at Camille's lips. She couldn't help but chuckle

and then spoke calmly, “So, am I a minor child or a pet? Why do you

never consider my opinion? Do you think that even though I'm an adult

and a mother, I should still obediently follow your arrangements?"

Camille's expression towards Brody and Page turned icy, with a hint of

clear disdain in her eyes. Her demeanor was cold and aloof.

However, Brody retorted directly, “You belong to the Armstrong family,

so you should naturally follow the Armstrong family's arrangements.”

"But have you ever treated me as a member of the Armstrong family?"

"Camille, can you please be sensible? The adults are talking right now.

If you have something to say, wait until we get home. Tell Ayan now, in

front of the old Simpson, to stop bothering you. You're already divorced,

continuing to be together will only invite ridicule,” Page promptly

interrupted Camille, not allowing her to continue.

Ayan raised a hand to pull Camille behind him, shielding her from

Brody and Page's gaze. His deep, slightly narrowed eyes radiated a

chilling indifference, and he said coldly, “Is it Camille who needs to

clarify things with me or do you want her to do it? Going to such lengths

for the Wesley family, what are your intentions? This is the Simpson

family, not your Armstrong family. Do you think today's events can

replay themselves here?"

Brody, with a cold expression, retorted, "I don't know what you're talking

about, Ayan. With your grandfather present, is this your attitude?"

Brody knew he couldn't argue with Ayan and didn't want to continue the

conversation. He quickly turned to the old Simpson, who had been

silent on the side.

He said to the old Simpson, "Mr. Simpson, you saw it too. Ayan's

attitude. How can I trust him with Camille when we've already

divorced? Why hold on for so long? While we may not match up to the

Simpson family, we won't let ourselves be bullied!"

The old Simpson raised his head and looked at Brody, his cloudy eyes

tinged with indifference. He asked coldly, “Why should I hand Cami

over to your family, the Armstrongs?"

Brody and Page were momentarily stunned by the old Simpson's

words, but Brody quickly thought that it meant the old Simpson was

willing to agree. So, he responded, "She belongs to the Armstrong

family. Naturally, she should come back with us. We can't keep living

here at the Simpson family. It wouldn't sound good, and it would seem

like we're taking advantage.”

Brody believed that the righteous he explained, the more likely the old

Simpson would agree. However, in the room, except for Brody and

Page, Camille, Ayan, Fletcher, and Talia didn't believe that the old

Simpson genuinely intended for Camille to return with the Armstrong

family. Thus, they remained silent and didn't speak a word.

Camille, too, stood her ground, glancing at the old Simpson, unworried,

because she had unconditional trust in him, no matter the

circumstances.

The next moment, the old Simpson's voice rang out. He locked eyes

with Brody, his voice devoid of warmth and tinged with a hint of

questioning, "A member of the Armstrong family? Honestly ask

yourself, have you ever treated her as a member of the Armstrong

family? Think about how your entire Armstrong family treated her.

You've certainly benefited from having Cami around.”

The old Simpson slammed his hand on the table, his emotions running

high. Brody turned blushed.

Fletcher walked over to the old Simpson's side and lightly patted his

shoulder, saying, "Dad, you should watch your temper and speak

calmly.”

The old Simpson took a deep breath, but his expression remained

unrelenting. He glared at Brody, stating, "Have you and Page ever

fulfilled your duties as parents to Cami? Whether she faced public

scrutiny or risked her life giving birth, you were never there. If you were

qualified parents, you would have done everything to protect and

cherish your daughter. But you didn't. So why do you expect her to

blindly follow your demands?"

The old Simpson was truly furious, his face filled with anger. His fists

clenched, ready to step in and defend Camille against Brody and Page

at any moment.

Brody's face was equally sour, but he remained silent, whether out of

shame or reflection, with his head lowered in silence.

Page, however, looked displeased. Her face tensed slightly, her voice

laced with a hint of defiance as she said, "Mr. Simpson, you shouldn't

speak like this. Camille is a part of the Armstrong family. How can you

say we haven't treated her as family? It seems like you, the Simpson

family, are trying to buy her off with these favors. That's not right; you're

undermining our relationship with Camille."

"True relationships cannot be undermined. If it's just a superficial bond,

it will eventually crumble, with or without undermining. If your intention

in coming to the Simpson family is to seek permission from my

grandfather or my parents to take Camille away, then I advise you to

reconsider. Even if I agree, they won't,” Ayan spoke coldly, and his

words were met with silence from the old Simpson and Fletcher,

indicating their agreement.

Brody faced the old Simpson, then Fletcher, but none of them spoke.

Brody was uncertain how to respond to this situation.

The atmosphere gradually quieted, and the old Simpson's voice, slow

and deliberate, continued, "If your intention is still to marry Camille off

to someone else as per your wishes in the future, then you need not

return to the Simpson family. We don't welcome it. Camille is an

independent individual, not a pawn for your whims."