His Ex Wife is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus)

Chapter 678

As Arnold spoke, his muscular arms wrapped around her slender waist, pulling her closer with an increasingly tight grip that seemed to fear her slipping away again.

Camille felt a ticklish warmth spread through her, her voice soft; she was playfully complaining yet more of saying in a coquettish way, “You do realize you’re like a thief, don’t you? Quite perceptive of yourself.”

“Camille.”

He called her name again, his voice laced with an addictive quality that brought a rosy hue to her pale cheeks, “Actually, you’re a thief too. A thief who stole my heart.”

Camille had heard her mentor occasionally mention her family. He said she had an older brother who, despite his dashing good looks, spoke the most cheesy pick–up lines that were oddly endearing.

Now, she could see her mentor hadn’t been exaggerating.

Seeing her silent, Arnold grew anxious and turned her to face him, “Are you still mad at me?”

Arnold Ashbourne.”

The way Camille suddenly used his full name made him even more nervous, his Adam’s apple bobbing uncontrollably.

“I’m the illegitimate daughter of the Evert family; my background isn’t something to be proud of. The Evert family hassle me so frequently, it’s a wonder I find any peace. Someone like me isn’t a good match to you. Being with me, you’ll never have a day’s

rest.”

As she spoke, a pain throbbed in her chest, as if she were being forced to carve off a piece of her heart, “You deserve…better. Perhaps out of sympathy or pity, you felt the need to protect me. But once the intensity fades, you’ll see. Love is just a fleeting illusion that brings nothing but trouble. With your privileged background, even if you don’t seek out nobility, you could find a lady from a reputable, well–read family. My life is full of blemishes. And what you see today is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Camille, a top fashion designer, used her flawlessly cool demeanor and her dazzling creations to mask her intense inner turmoil and insecurity.

She felt rootless, like a drifting weed, never able to proudly tell anyone that she was a child of the Evert family.

It wasn’t that she was blind to Arnold’s virtues or his genuine love for her, but the deep–seated sense of unworthiness tore at her heart day and night, forcing her to stay alert.

If one day Arnold changed his mind, stopped liking her, if their love faced opposition from the whole world, she would rather avoid that beginning altogether.

Tve known about your background for a long time.”

Arnold’s eyes reddened with her pushing him away like that, he couldn’t help but spit it out, “But what of it? I still like you; I still look forward to seeing you.”

Camille was taken aback; her defenses cracked at his words, “You’ve been checking up on me?! Arnold, are you letting your detective instincts take over with me?!”

“I just wanted to know more of you!”

Arnold, desperate, gripped her shoulders tightly, “Camille, do you think I’m doing all this for fun? I’m doing it to get closer to you, to reach your heart, to be with you! I know what you’re worried about, but it will never happen. You’re Evadne’s best friend, and she’s told me more than once how much she wants you as her sister–in–law. As for my family, and my father, you have nothing to fear. If they aren’t open–minded, then no one in the world is. My dad accepted Cassius‘ preference for men; he accepted Thaddeus, who once hurt Evadne, so how could he possibly not accept you? Why shouldn’t he?!”

Camille felt a sour tightness in her chest and closed her eyes, shaking her head in denial, pushing him away with her hands on his heaving chest, “Dr. Bright is the second son of the Bright family, and Thaddeus is the CEO of the Abernathy group, both paragons among men. What am I, how can I compare? It’s different. Don’t waste your time on me.”

The stubborn woman! Was she trying to kill him with frustration?!

Anold’s breath came in heavy, ragged gasps, his handsome face flushing red

it because Evadne couldn’t make it, so she asked you to pick up Dr. Bright’s tailored suit? I had my assistant pack it, she’ll give it to you. You should go back. I’m

Arnold’s cold voice came from behind her, “My badge, you still have it, right? I have an important meeting at the courthouse later, and everyone needs

14:42

Chapter 6/3

heart pierced by a sharp

“Alright”

barely a whisper, she reached into her jacket pocket and slowly drew out the badge she kept

there was Amold, looking intensely at her, extending his hand.

attempted to retract her hand, his

stumbled

hesitation, wrapped his arms around her waist and sealed her lips with a fervent

body tingling with a current of electricity as she

Arnold reluctantly broke the kiss, his fingers gently tracing her jaw, a crooked smile playing on his lips. “You turned white just

that confidence from?” Camille’s eyes brimmed with tears,

that stubbornness also something you picked up

again, “What’s the use of the whole world being right if I don’t like it? I only love you. What I love is the best thing in

hesitations and fears

my girl, will ya?

with a sincerity as bright as the stars, “From now on, let me love you, cherish you, take care of you. All that you’ve lost, all that you’ve never had, let me find it for you,

were never Amold’s strong suit. These few lines, hard–won from

hold back the tumultuous emotions within her. Tears

world burst into a kaleidoscope of colors, fireworks exploding in brilliant

back of her neck and

was swamped with work handovers from Cassius, which was why she couldn’t make it to the Elmsworth rendezvous with Camille. Instead, she sent Arnold to pick up some clothes.

clothes was secondary, the main agenda was to create an opportunity for him and Camille

day, skimming project proposals, delving into the profiles of corporate executives, and grappling with the group’s financial situation. Although Thaddeus was there to assist, she was

back.

“Ugh, I’m beat.”

man’s embrace, like a beautiful robot short–circuited, “How can there be so much to do? Did Cassius

second thoughts before you’ve even taken the

“Let me give you a heads up from someone who’s been there: this is just the beginning. Once you officially take over, a myriad of tasks will

thoughts? Ha, that word doesn’t exist in Evadne’s life dictionary.”

pouting cutely. “Just watch me. I’m not just going to do it; I’m going to excel. Just like when I took over K Hotel. I said rd outdo you guys at

league of your own, my Evadne shines as the queen

I know you and your father

trying to dodge the suggestion, “If you really gave it to me, wouldn’t that be

14 42

Chapter 678

really piss Mr. Frederic Abernathy off. I couldn’t bear the thought of being responsible for that.”

smile,

he and Camille hit it off? Maybe they went ahead

“Broad daylight, I doubt it. Plus, it’s Arnold’s first love;

does daylight have to do with it? When you men