Chapter 904: Making Amends

Chapter 904: Making Amends

Ayan rolled down the car window and, despite his usual habit of not

smoking in a moving car, lit a cigarette. His tone was indifferent as he

asked, "Did Preston ask you to come back?"

He was direct, without any hint of delicacy.

Eileen looked at him through the drifting smoke, her heart still

quickening at the sight of his handsome face. That feeling, which had

persisted from the past to the present despite all that had happened,

remained unchanged.

Eileen pressed her lips together, speaking softly, "Yes."

He asked, "Did he have any specific plans for you to come back?"

"He didn't say. He just asked me to return to Hance first."

Ayan glanced at Eileen from the corner of his eye, clearly skeptical of

her words.

Eileen hurriedly explained, "Ayan, I'm telling the truth. Preston only

asked me to come back. As for any plans he might have, he didn't

mention them."

Ayan's voice remained dispassionate as he said, "I didn't say anything.

You don't need to get so worked up."

Eileen's expression stiffened for a moment. She had thought she was

well-prepared to face Ayan after being away for so long, but seeing him

again made her realize that she always felt uncertain in his presence.

She always seemed to be one step below him.

Did she really have to resort to those methods to be on equal footing

with him?

A sense of confusion and hesitation crept into Eileen's mind.

She halted the spread of these thoughts and looked at Ayan, saying,

"Ayan, I'm not worked up. I just don't want you to misunderstand me. If

Preston really has any plans for me, I could choose not to tell you.

Since I reached out to you before coming back, you can be sure that I

have no reservations about being open with you.”

Ayan didn't respond to her words, and the natural answer was that he

didn't believe her.

Kian, who had been driving, reached the hotel-a property under the

Simpson Group. Ayan said, "Since you've just returned, take a few

days to rest.”

Ayan instructed Kian to accompany Eileen to her room. Throughout the

process, Ayan remained in the car, maintaining a distance from Eileen.

His behavior made it clear that he wanted to keep some distance.

Eileen wasn't in a hurry. She followed his arrangements.

However, once she returned to her room, Eileen immediately shared

her return to Hance with Preston.

She was attempting to navigate a delicate balance, not wanting to

offend anyone on either side. Her desire was to reap the benefits from

both sides, a goal she had held steadfastly throughout.

Yet, she couldn't help but question whether her ambition would truly

lead to the desired outcome.

After seeing Eileen to her room, Kian left the hotel and got back into the

car.

Kian glanced at Ayan in the rearview mirror, asking, "Mr. Simpson, are

we heading back to Simpson Group now?"

"Yes," Ayan responded in his usual detached tone. After arriving at

Simpson Group, he instructed Kian, "Get the car washed."

Kian nodded and was about to drive to the car wash when Ayan

changed his mind, "Actually, never mind. Get a different car.”

Ayan returned to his office. Instead of diving into work immediately, he

took a shower and changed into spare clothes before tending to his

tasks.

Around three in the afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Bell, accompanied by their

assistant, arrived at Simpson Group.

They had been back for a few days, but their time had been occupied

with other charitable endeavors, delaying their visit to Simpson Group.

The project was ready, and the upcoming opening ceremony would

mark its launch. Mr. Bell stated, "I want this to be lively. I want the

project to become well-known in Hance City. It's not just about the

Modest Temple Hotel; the main theme is charity, in line with our original

intention.”

Ayan nodded in agreement, "Yes, you're right. Please have your

assistant list your requirements, and I'll have Kian announce them in

the group chat. If you need any specific channels for promotion or have

other needs, your assistant can directly communicate with Kian."

Mr. Bell was pleased with Ayan's attention to detail, and he couldn't

help but engage Ayan in a casual conversation beyond the project. He

asked, "Mr. Simpson, what's really going on with Mr. Baxter? Is he truly

the same person as Mr. Walker?"

Ayan chuckled softly, saying, "You're quite direct in your question. It's a

bit difficult for me to answer that.”

Mr. Bell had his assistant step outside before he continued, "We're

alone here. Give me an honest answer. Is the museum incident related

to him? As the initiator of this charitable project, I must ensure that

there are no unforeseen complications. We don't want any tarnish on

this project.”

His emotions grew slightly agitated as he spoke.

Mrs. Bell, who had remained silent, chimed in, "Mr. Simpson, we've

known each other for a long time, and we have a basic understanding

of each other. We know you might be caught in the middle and can't

say too much, but can you at least tell us if there's any connection?

That way, we can plan ahead and make preparations.”

Mrs. Bell's eyes were filled with earnestness as she spoke, hoping that

Ayan would provide some clarity.

Ayan responded, "Rest assured, your project involves the Simpson

Group as well. I am, after all, the main person in charge of this project. I

can assure you that there won't be any issues. What I can tell you is

limited, though, as there are certain things I can't disclose."

He wouldn't resort to backhanded tactics to tarnish Preston's

reputation. Preston wasn't worthy of his descent to such tactics.

Ayan's assurance eased Mr. and Mrs. Bell's concerns, and they

refrained from pressing further. They felt reassured with his statement.

Mrs. Bell then suggested, "We've been back for a few days. If you're

available tonight, how about the four of us have dinner together, with

Cami?"

Ayan nodded, "Sure, you can contact Cami. She'll be delighted to hear

about it."

"Okay, that's settled.”

After the plan was confirmed, Mrs. Bell immediately messaged Camille.

Mrs. Bell hadn't been in touch with Camille since her return due to her

busy schedule.

Receiving Mrs. Bell's message, Camille was genuinely delighted, just

as Ayan had predicted. She readily agreed to the dinner invitation.

Despite the significant age difference between Mrs. Bell and herself,

they got along surprisingly well and had a lot to talk about.

With the dinner plans in place, Ayan took the initiative to ask, "Since

you've been in Hance for some time now, and this project is nearing

completion, there might be new collaborations in the future. How about,

for tonight, I introduce you to a new friend-someone I've grown up

with?"

“That sounds great. Let's do it tonight. But let me be clear, I insist on

treating you for this meal.”

"Whether it's you or me treating doesn't matter. What's important is that

everyone enjoys the meal and has a good time," Ayan said with a faint,

understated smile.

After bidding farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Bell, Ayan contacted Rex directly.

While Mr. and Mrs. Bell had met Rex before, their interactions had been

limited, and this dinner would be a proper introduction.

Concerned that Camille might be bored, Ayan reminded Rex to bring

Sienna along.

As Sienna, the accompanying guest, was mentioned, she immediately

voiced her discontent. She used the opportunity to complain to Camille,

saying that it made her feel like she was being used as a tool.

Sienna exclaimed, "Mr. Simpson seems to favor you too much, don't

you think?"

Camille, listening to Sienna’s voice filled with frustration even over the

phone, couldn't help but laugh. She asked, "Should I scold him for you

tonight?"

"Come on, Cami! Are you really enjoying this? I can practically hear the

joy in your laughter. You're finding pleasure in my suffering.”

Sienna's impeccable acting skills could be felt even through the phone.

Camille patiently endured, waiting for Sienna’s performance to play out.

Once Sienna finished, Camille asked nonchalantly, “So, how would you

like me to make it up to you?"

"Fine. In a couple of days, I have to accompany my mother-in-law

shopping and meeting her friends. You should bring your mother-in-law

and join us!"

"Ha, isn't this returning the favor with vengeance? I helped you out

once, and now you're trying to drag me into this mess?" Camille

responded with a dismissive snort. She wasn't very eager to attend a

gathering of wealthy wives.