Chapter 1163: Complaint

Chapter 1163: Complaint

Camille spoke each word with utmost clarity, her bright and captivating

eyes fixed on Preston. Her lips curved with a somewhat mocking smile,

a smile devoid of any playful intent, reflecting sincere feelings and

thoughts.

Preston, initially caught off guard by Camille's words, froze. His

handsome face stiffened, and an expression of disbelief surfaced.

Opening his mouth, Preston asked, "Cami, what do you mean by that?"

“Isn't my meaning clear enough? I said you've never been honest with

me. You've never spoken a truthful word to me, Preston. You can deny

it, but it's a fact, at least in my heart,” Camille asserted, straightforward

and unapologetic. If Preston continued to feign ignorance, Camille

would likely become even more direct.

Facing Camille's blunt accusation, Preston found himself momentarily

speechless. He didn't feel that way, and he couldn't understand why

Camille harbored such thoughts.

Furrowing his brow tightly, Preston's face became cold and serious.

Looking at Camille, he said, "Cami, I don't know why you would think

this about me. I don't know what I did to cause this misunderstanding,

or if someone has been influencing you to perceive our relationship this

way."

Camille responded calmly, “No one else is involved. These are my

thoughts alone. I don't understand why you always think third parties

are affecting our relationship. I believe relationships, whether romantic

or friendly, are the business of those involved. We shouldn't drag

innocent people into it. Why do you always assume that I can be

swayed by others, that someone might manipulate our friendship?

Preston, why do you lack confidence in yourself, or do you think I'm

someone without a mind of my own?"

Each of Camille's words was sharper than before, making Preston's

thoughts sluggish. He seemed unaccustomed to this version of Camille.

Frowning deeply, Preston, with a somber expression, looked at Camille.

He struggled to articulate, "Cami, I don't think that way, and I've never

thought that way."

“Then tell me why. Why do you always think someone else interferes in

our friendship? Did I give you a false impression, or did I do something

to cause this misunderstanding?"

"I didn't misunderstand. I'm just worried, afraid that such a thing might

happen.”

"Worrying about something that hasn't happened isn't like you, Preston.

What are you really thinking? After all, as I've said, you've never been

honest with me." Camille took a silent deep breath, her hands, resting

on her knees, unconsciously clenched. Her voice was calm and

composed, "So, I don't think there's a need to continue this

conversation. When you're ready to be honest with me, we can meet

and talk again.”

Camille concluded and naturally moved to leave. Seeing this, Preston

immediately stood up to stop her.

He said, "Cami, I don't know what your definition of honesty is. Just tell

me, explain it to me, and I'll do as you say, alright?"

Camille countered, "Wouldn't that make it difficult for you? After all,

friendship should be voluntary. If you're not doing it willingly but out of

compulsion because I'm leaving, wouldn't I be too selfish?"

Camille's demeanor remained consistently indifferent, and her words

carried a touch of ultimate mockery. Preston, increasingly curious about

her reactions today, couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking.

What was wrong with her?

Their gazes collided, and Camille's attitude remained unchanged.

Preston fell into a brief silence, perhaps evaluating something in his

mind.

After a few seconds, Preston spoke slowly, “Cami, it's not that you're

forcing me. I just want to know where I fell short, why you think I'm not

sincere and hiding something from you. I want to change that.”

“Let me ask the same question as at the beginning: How much do you

know about the gossip reporter's exposé online?"

Her eyes stared unwaveringly at Preston, not a single blink. This

intense gaze made Preston's expression subtly uneasy, but he

maintained a calm facade.

Without any pause or hesitation, Preston responded immediately,

"Cami, I really don't know that gossip reporter, and I have no idea what

you're talking about. If someone is intentionally smearing you, and you

think it's related to me, I can investigate and clear my name. Is that

alright with you?"

"Can you help me find out?"

"Of course, as long as you want to know, I can help you get to the

bottom of it. Is that okay?" Preston asked in a tone that sought to

please, as if he feared Camille would get angry and leave.

But was that his true sentiment?

Camille didn't know the answer, and she had no time to speculate on

Preston's thoughts. Her current focus was elsewhere. Since Preston

was willing to help her investigate, she wanted to see what he could

uncover.

Camille agreed briefly to Preston's proposal. If he wanted to assist, she

would let him.

Preston readily agreed, assuring Camille, "Cami, rest assured, I'll

handle this matter perfectly for you. Can you give me another chance to

be friends? Let's not let the bond we've built over the years be

damaged by other things."

Camille, unfazed, locked eyes with Preston, saying, "Sure, but you

might have misunderstood me. I've never wanted perfection; I want

authenticity.”

"l understand," he said in a soft tone.

Taking the initiative, she picked up her coffee cup and handed it to

Preston, saying, "Preston, I hope you can give me a satisfactory

answer, a satisfying response to our friendship."

Preston also raised his coffee cup, clinking it with Camille's. The two

didn't continue discussing the previous topic. Preston proactively

changed the subject, sharing some recent developments at Armstrong

Corp, including Brody's high regard for him and the growing tension

between Brody and Page. Whenever they met, they argued, and the

atmosphere was always charged.

Camille responded with indifference, as she wasn't interested in Brody

and Page's affairs.

Observing her reaction, Preston couldn't help but ask, "Cami, are you

harboring resentment against them?"

Camille furrowed her brows, meeting Preston's gaze. She chuckled

lightly and asked, "Resent them? What do you mean by resentment?

Anger or dissatisfaction?"