Chapter 1055: Excellence

Chapter 1055: Excellence

Page's expression suddenly changed. She likely hadn't anticipated

Sienna to say such a thing. After all, this was essentially telling Page

that if she kept pressuring Camille for a chance, she would be forcing

her daughter. A loving mother wouldn't push her child into something

they didn't want to do.

But if Page didn't continue in this way, and went along with Camille's

wishes, how would she explain this to Brody?

Page was caught in a dilemma because she genuinely didn't want to do

as Camille suggested. The consequences of complying would be

another round of Brody's scolding, and his previous words still rang in

her ears. The only way to truly benefit the Armstrong family was to

make amends with Camille, but there was also a hidden agenda,

something Page had kept from even Brody.

With tightly pursed lips, Page wore a grave expression. She remained

silent, with her eyes reflecting her inner turmoil.

Her silence took both Camille and Sienna by surprise. Had she

accepted or was she considering a different approach or an excuse?

Sienna exchanged a significant glance with Camille and then said

coolly, "If you don't have anything else to say, you don't need to come

to me next time."

Page's face displayed a slight hint of unease, and she looked up at

Camille. Her expression remained profoundly serious, and she took a

deep breath before speaking, "Cami, I know you don't trust me, and

you don't believe I could change so quickly in such a short time. But

even so, I have to tell you that I genuinely want to mend our

relationship. I always feel that despite all the misunderstandings

between us, we will eventually reconcile. After all, we're mother and

daughter, and there should be no misunderstandings we can't

overcome. The reason I treated you differently from Grace in the past

isn't as you think. It wasn't because you aren't as dear to me as Grace.

It was due to you not growing up by my side, and the pressures I faced

within the Armstrong family. I couldn't control my heart. I don't know

why I've become the way I am now. I've been diligently managing our

home and working to maintain our relationship.”

As Page spoke, she raised her hands and covered her face, her

reaction causing Camille's expression to darken. Page had always

given the impression that she was responsible for the family, leaving

Brody carefree. She'd raised Grace very well, which had contributed to

her excellent reputation in social circles. Many socialite wives even

considered her a role model. Her actions had enhanced Brody's

prestige. Their relationship had always appeared harmonious and

loving.

But Page's words right now indicated an inner struggle, and it raised

questions for Camille. Her mother's explanation made her feel like

Page had been holding onto pent-up feelings.

Camille remained silent, her lips pursed as she lowered her head

without offering a response.

Page's voice lowered even further as she whispered, "Cami, I haven't

told anyone about how I've been living with the Armstrong family all

these years. It's not that I don't love you; it's just that there are certain

things I had no choice in. So, I had no way."

"Are you sure you don't know that your dad already has someone else

outside?" Page smiled bitterly, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she

didn't stop speaking. She continued, "This is a stain on my life, but I

can't do anything about it. I can't wash it away. It's like it's engraved on

me, and I can't get rid of it. The only way is to constantly remind myself

to do my best, to be perfect, so this stain won't be exposed, so it will

forever remain hidden in the dark.”

Because they were in a public place, Page kept her voice hushed.

Even though she was telling Camille all this, she still didn't want the

Armstrong family’s matters to leak out. If it got out, she'd be the subject

of ridicule, and at the moment, she wasn't planning to completely sever

ties with Brody.

As for why she suddenly became so honest with Camille, only Page

knew the reason.

Her words surprised and shocked Camille. It was genuinely astonishing

because she had never considered such a situation. Even though she

knew Brody had strong male chauvinism, she never thought he'd do

something like this.

Camille remained silent for a long time, her mind in turmoil. Brody was

getting older, and with a child at home, even if he didn't like Page, she

was still his daughter. How could he have someone else on the side?

Besides, Brody's health had been deteriorating since the company's

problems arose. Did he have the time to spare for someone else?

Camille had many doubts and questions welling up within her.

However, considering Page's prideful and self-respecting personality,

she couldn't just casually talk about something like this, could she?

If it wasn't true, but a fabrication, then what was Page's motive? Was

she trying to make Camille feel sorry for her?

Camille pursed her lips, thinking the possibility was quite slim.

As she remained unsure of what to say, Sienna’s voice joined in.

Sienna looked at Page with an incredulous expression and asked,

"Mrs. Armstrong, why are you telling us this? Aren't you afraid I'll

spread it around? It'll be embarrassing for you and the Armstrong

family, after all. It's not a glorious matter. So, why say it in public?"

Page remained emotionless, offering only a bitter smile. She then said,

"You won't understand. This matter isn't just mine, nor is it solely about

the Armstrong family. You can choose not to consider Cami as a part of

the Armstrong family, but who in Hance City doesn't know that she's an

Armstrong?"

Now, Sienna fell silent. Page's words were undeniably accurate.

Camille was indeed a part of the Armstrong family. Even if her

relationship with the Armstrongs was strained, she was still perceived

as an Armstrong by outsiders. If this matter came to light, Camille

would undoubtedly be subject to gossip. Moreover, due to Camille's

connection with Ayan, it would likely become a topic of public

discussion.

Sienna stayed quiet, glancing at Camille out of the corner of her eye.

She wasn't sure what was going through Camille's mind, so she

refrained from saying too much.

Page's gaze returned to Camille. Her expression didn't reveal much,

and she spoke softly, "Originally, I had no intention of letting you or

Grace know about this. It's a matter for us as parents, and it's best not

to involve you."

Camille calmly inquired, "If you had no intention of letting me know, why

are you telling me now?"

Page didn't avoid the question. She kept her eyes on Camille and

replied in a hushed tone, "I don't want your misunderstanding of me to

deepen. Many times, I had no choice. I had to do what I did. But in the

end, I realized that it had little impact, and instead, they pushed my

daughter away. Both you and Grace have grown more distant from me.

I've come to understand how badly my one-sided approach has failed. I

believed that certain forms of education would make you excel and

strengthen us, but I was wrong. I've learned that, Cami. Can you give

me one more chance?"

When Page mentioned Grace, her emotions couldn't be contained.

Since the previous incident, Grace had cut ties with the family and

hadn't contacted her since. This situation was unprecedented.

Now, everything seemed to be slipping out of Page's expectations and

control. She genuinely didn't know what to do. She struggled to keep

her voice low and asked Camille, "Do you doubt my words? But, Cami,

I don't need to deceive you with something like this. Of course, I won't

deny that I had personal motives when I reached out to you and

Grace."

When Camille heard the term "personal motives," it didn't seem to

surprise her. For her, if Page hadn't had any personal motives, it

wouldn't align with Page's personality and Camille's understanding of

her. Somehow, Camille also felt a sense of relief.