Chapter 761: Probe

"Misleading is only temporary. What I want is to create a rift between

Austin and Preston. We can't let everyone work with Preston and

silently strengthen his power, right?" Ayan knew that he would

eventually have to fight Preston, but he didn't know how.

Suddenly, he thought of something and immediately instructed Kian,

"All of the company's projects must be carefully inspected for any

violations. You personally need to follow up on this."

Kian nodded, "Don’t worry. We've always been very careful about this."

"Just being careful isn't enough. You need to be extra cautious and

ensure that there are no such situations,” Ayan said.

“I understand,” Kian replied.

Ayan looked out the window with a cold expression before suddenly

asking, "I'm going to visit the prison tomorrow. Make sure everything is

prepared in advance."

"Okay, I got it," Kian said.

Kian drove Ayan back to Maple Leaves Mansion before leaving himself

after receiving a reminder from Ayan about being watched by Austin's

people since they were both in Hance City now.

Ayan was right; someone was watching him although not too closely

yet as there were people stationed outside his apartment building all

day long. To avoid any mishaps caused by himself or others’ mistakes

due to these circumstances made him worried so Kian packed some

clothes and checked into Simpson Group's hotel while reporting this

news back to Ayan who was having dinner with Camille at the time.

Camille had ordered takeout food for them both which she found

amusing when she noticed that Mr. Simpson hadn't eaten much yet

despite it being late already: "You haven't eaten yet?"

"I did eat but I'm not full,” replied Ayan defensively when Camille teased

him about it: "How come Mr. Simpson can't even afford a proper meal

now?"

"Are you making fun of me?!" asked an indignant-sounding Simpson

who then added jokingly: "So you want me go throw out the trash

later?" referring specifically towards their takeout leftovers which

needed discarding soon anyway.

Camille laughed at his reaction before teasing him further: “You only

ate two bites! How could you complain? It's unfair!"

“I don't care, you already ate it, so you have to do something.”

"So bossy?" His handsome face was full of laughter as his deep eyes

stared straight at Camille. He then reached out and gently pinched her

cheek, speaking softly. “I've been pursuing you for so long now. Is there

anything you want to say to me?"

He suddenly became serious, causing Camille to be momentarily

stunned.

Camille lightly pursed her lips and stared at him somewhat dazedly.

"What's wrong? Is it hard to answer?" he asked.

She lightly bit her lip and replied in a soft voice, "You pursued me?"

It wasn't any different from usual - he was just more clingy than before

and treated her better. Was that considered pursuing? The word

“Camille’ left Ayan speechless.

He furrowed his brows slightly and asked uncertainly, “So you haven't

felt my pursuit of you recently?"

Camille wanted to laugh but tried hard not to show it. She quickly

responded with uncertainty in her voice: "It's not like that exactly... I

just...”

She didn't know how else she could explain herself; no matter what she

said would probably be unsatisfactory since this man was too sensitive.

If she answered incorrectly again, he would probably draw a heavy line

on their relationship in his mind once more.

Ayan relentlessly pressed on with questions: "Just what is it then?

Hmm?"

Camille lowered her gaze unable to meet his eyes directly anymore;

she regretted answering the way she did earlier because if not for that

they wouldn't be having this conversation right now.

After hesitating for half a minute or so, Camille finally stuttered out: “I'm

not saying I haven't felt anything at all... It's just that the feeling isn't

very obvious because I'm also unsure about what true pursuit really

entails... So maybe I lack experience? Could you tell me about it

instead?"

His eyes narrowed slightly as they took on a dangerous glint.

In an instant Camille shut up completely.

The two of them looked at each other silently as the atmosphere grew

quiet around them.

After almost half a minute passed by Ayan put down his utensils; the

food in front of him had lost its taste already.

Thinking he might be upset now Camilla prepared herself mentally

before opening up again hoping things could get better between them

soon but instead heard him speak with low tone voice filled with

apologies: "I'm sorry for not making your feel pursued enough by me...

Starting tomorrow let's start over again shall we?"

Ayan meant every word seriously which made him seem scary rather

than reassuring since these were actual actions being taken rather than

empty promises spoken aloud only without any follow throughs

His pursuit was to send and pick her up in the morning and evening,

have lunch together when they had time, even if he was busy, he would

make sure someone delivered lunch to her. He knew Camille didn't like

flowers, so he replaced them with fruits and other ways to show his

pursuit of her.

But that's all a story for later.

The two of them did not have any rifts because of this incident. On the

contrary, Ayan told Camille: "If you think there is anything I'm doing

wrong, just tell me directly. If you don't say it, I won't know. Okay?"

Camille blinked lightly and nodded in agreement.

They continued eating their meal. After finishing their food, Ayan

cleaned up the trash and left with it.

Camille was actually a little uneasy about it all. After almost an hour

had passed she sent him a message asking: "You're not really angry

are you?"

Ayan replied almost instantly saying: “Nope! Don't overthink things."

"That's good then."

Only then did Camille feel at ease again.

Their current relationship status is actually quite simple and down-to-

earth; there isn't much superficiality between them - only ordinary

companionship towards each other.

That night passed without dreams; the next morning Ayan personally

drove Camille to work at the museum as promised - showing her his

pursuit for her.

After dropping off Camille at the museum he drove off to meet Kian at

their company office.

Ayan cancelled all his morning appointments today as he mainly went

over to see Elijah on prison grounds.

Kian had already arranged everything last night; with Simpson Group

backing him up as well as being such an influential figure in Hance City

made everything easy-peasy regardless of whether it was black or

white operations involved.

To avoid Preston from noticing anything suspicious Kian took a detour

before arriving at the prison gates.

Elijah had already been escorted by guards into one of their meeting

rooms where upon seeing Ayan recognized him immediately but looked

away shyly due to feeling weak after being locked up for so long.

Ayan sat down on one of chairs across from Elijah before getting

straight into business by asking: "Sean is your son right?"

Although phrased like a question what came out from his mouth

sounded more like stating facts instead which caused Elijah's

expression turn grave while waves churned within his eyes akin to calm

seas suddenly turning stormy unable settle down even after some time

has passed since its occurrence .

With Elijah’s reaction along with Sean's response that day confirmed

everything for Ayan regarding their relationship status .

Ayan's face was cold and indifferent, his handsome features showing a

hint of aloofness. He spoke in a calm tone, “What is your relationship

with Preston?"

Elijah remained silent, not responding in any way.

Ayan continued, "Actually, it doesn't matter to me if you don't answer

because I can get the answer from Sean just as easily."

"Sean is with you?" Elijah finally gave in because as a father he

couldn't ignore his child's whereabouts.

Ayan's face remained cold and unresponsive. He didn't directly answer

Elijah's question but instead Elijah himself immediately denied Ayan's

statement. He said, "That's impossible! Sean can't be with you! Are you

trying to test me on purpose?"

Ayan chuckled lightly. “Do you think I'm so bored that I would come to

the prison just to test this question on you?"