Chapter 1040: Value

Chapter 1040: Value

After the old Simpson spoke, he got up. He looked at Camille and said,

"Cami, walk me back to my room."

Camille nodded and immediately went over to assist the old Simpson.

Her gaze swept briefly over Brody and Page before accompanying the

old Simpson to his room.

As Camille and the old Simpson left, the atmosphere in the hall became

even quieter.

Ayan walked over to a nearby sofa, sat down with his legs crossed, and

leaned back in the armchair. He cast a cold, indifferent gaze at Brody

and Page, saying, "After all the commotion, what have you really

gained from it? Are the benefits you've gained even remotely

proportional to the trouble you've stirred?"

Ayan's questioning made Talia and Fletcher's expressions turn less

amiable. They gazed indifferently at the now-still Brody and Page.

Although they had become in-laws, they didn't usually interact much. Of

course, except when there was a need. Brody would occasionally seek

Fletcher's help, and Fletcher would help considering Camille's situation.

However, after multiple instances, Brody began to show a lack of

respect and forgot the disparity in their status, treating Fletcher with a

commanding tone. Eventually, Fletcher began declining Brody's

requests through a secretary.

For Fletcher, it was quite simple to interact with others. It didn't require

matching backgrounds or equal influence, just mutual respect. That

would lead to a good friendship and long-term relationship.

The favors that the Simpson family did for the Armstrong family were all

out of consideration for Camille and the old Armstrong.

So when Ayan questioned Brody, Fletcher and Talia didn't step in to ask

Ayan to tone down his words. What they had done in this situation was

indeed excessive.

Brody's face darkened. He looked at Ayan and said, "I don't know what

you're talking about. How I treat Camille is a matter for the Armstrong

family to handle. Since you two are divorced, there's no need for your

concern. The fact that the Simpson family is publicly refusing me to

bring Camille back is simply a way for you to control her. You're

keeping Camille in your hands just for your own interests. Once she no

longer has any use to you, will you treat her the same way you are

now?"

Brody couldn't believe it.

A family like the Simpson family, of course, prioritizes their interests. If a

person becomes of no benefit to them, would there really be no

difference in how they treat that person?

Brody absolutely didn't believe that. The more the Simpson family

resisted, the more he wanted Camille to return to the Armstrong family.

He even started to think, could Camille's abilities be far greater than

what he had seen? Was that why the Simpson family was unwilling to

let go of her? Was that why they treated Camille so well?

Once these thoughts entered Brody's mind, they became unstoppable.

He looked at Ayan and asked, "Are you exploiting the benefits of

Camille? You have no blood relationship with her, yet you

unconditionally treat her well like this? Don't be ridiculous. The

Simpson family isn't a charity. They wouldn't unconditionally support

someone without reason. You're using Camille, and that's disrespectful

to the Armstrong family."

Brody's questions made Ayan instinctively furrow his brows, and

Fletcher and Talia's expressions soured.

Talia couldn't help saying, “Is all you think about benefits and interests?

If you have such intentions in your heart, naturally you would think this

way about others. You clearly don't like Camille, but why won't you let

her go? You think she's divorced from Ayan, so that gives you another

chance to use her. But have you considered her feelings?"

"Mrs. Simpson, if they've divorced, why won't you let her go? Are you

telling me there's absolutely no ulterior motive behind it?"

Page snorted and her displeasure was evident.

At least her thoughts were in line with Brody's. She also refused to

believe that the Simpson family had no ulterior motive.

But could they be getting all the benefits?

After all, Camille's was an Armstrong.

Page straightened up when she thought about this. Her attitude made

Talia smile. Talia asked, "Is your only concern benefits and interests?

When it comes to selfishness, we do have some. Our selfishness is

that we hope she can live well, that she can completely break free from

her unloving parents. That's our selfishness."

Page and Talia began arguing, and Talia was a person who had never

been in the spotlight. Due to her status, people usually tried to please

her, wanting to establish relationships with her, whether their intentions

were good or not. She always maintained a polite demeanor regardless

of their motives.

But Talia couldn't help herself when it came to Page. This had

happened before when Camille had confronted Page, and it was

happening again now.

She coldly refuted Page for a few statements, leaving Page

speechless.

Fletcher, on the side, chimed in as well, accusing Brody of acting

foolishly and selfishly.

After this situation had continued for a minute or two, Ayan, with a cold

expression, interrupted them, saying, “If your purpose in coming to the

Simpson family has been fulfilled, then please leave. My parents and

grandfather might be more accommodating, but I have a short temper. I

don't think I need to call someone to escort you out, do 1?"

Ayan didn't give Brody and Page any face. Even Fletcher was taken

aback and looked at Ayan, hoping he would preserve a bit of dignity,

not just for anyone but at least for Camille. However, Ayan didn't pay

any attention and continued with his attitude.

In this situation, Brody and Page could no longer stay. Staring down the

threat in Ayan's sharp gaze, they left, and their faces were far from

pleasant.

Before leaving, Brody told Ayan, "This matter isn't over, Mr. Simpson.

The Armstrong family is being manipulated by you. What you're doing

is illegal. You might have the upper hand, but you can't change the

law.”

Ayan reacted like he'd heard a joke, with no hint of fear in his smile. He

said, "Sure, let's see if the law is more on your side or mine."

With that, Brody had nothing more to say. He left with a huff, radiating

anger from his whole body.

They'd come to the Simpson family willingly, but they'd been subjected

to accusations in return. Brody was seething, and he would not forget

this day. He was determined to find a way to get back at them.

This was Brody's most direct thought, but he kept it to himself, hidden

in his heart.

After the two of them left the Simpson family, Fletcher spoke quietly,

"Ayan, you went a bit overboard just now. Even if they were wrong,

they're still Camille's parents. Maintaining a polite and courteous

appearance for Camille's sake should be considered.”

Fletcher was concerned that Camille might feel uncomfortable about

this, so he couldn't help but nag at Ayan.

But Ayan was unwavering and confident. He said, "She won't care

about these superficial formalities, and she won't hold it against me."

Talia also complained, "What on earth is the Armstrong family thinking?

How could they do this? Did someone cast a spell on them or

something?"

Ayan, with his indifferent demeanor, took over the conversation. "It's

probably not a spell but their own selfishness."

"Camille is, in the end, their own daughter. The way they are behaving

is completely unlike biological parents.” Talia voiced her displeasure,

and it hit Ayan's heart like a heavy blow.

He furrowed his brows slightly, lost in thought, repeating these words

over and over in his mind, without paying attention to what Fletcher and

Talia were saying.

Talia, who hadn't heard Ayan respond, looked at him with a perplexed

expression and called his name softly. "Ayan, why aren't you speaking?

What are you thinking?"

Ayan finally snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Talia and

Fletcher. He asked, "Would you treat my sister this way?"

Both of them were stunned and looked at Ayan as if he were crazy.

Talia snorted and said, "We're not step-parents. Why would we treat

our own daughter like that?"