His Ex-Wife Is A Billionaire (Evadne and Thaddeus) novel 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.

"I've 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?!

Arnold's breath came in heavy, ragged gasps, his handsome face flushing red.

Camille looked down, forcing herself to harden her heart and turn away, "I heard from my assistant that you came to pick up some clothing? Is 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 very tired and need to rest."

"Not just that, there's another thing." 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 to wear theirs. Give it back to me."

Camille stiffened, her heart pierced by a sharp icicle of pain.

"Alright."

Her voice barely a whisper, she reached into her jacket pocket and slowly drew out the badge she kept close to her heart. Clutching it tightly in her palm, then she turned around.

And there was Arnold, looking intensely at her, extending his hand.

Camille placed the badge in his palm, her lips pale with tension. As she attempted to retract her hand, his strong grasp suddenly enveloped hers, pulling her forcefully.

Caught off guard, she stumbled into his embrace.

Arnold, without hesitation, wrapped his arms around her waist and sealed her lips with a fervent kiss, deepening it with every second, his desire for possession swirling between them.

Camille's senses blurred, her body tingling with a current of electricity as she embraced him, lost in the moment.

After what felt like an eternity, Arnold reluctantly broke the kiss, his fingers gently tracing her jaw, a crooked smile playing on his lips, "You turned white just now, were you scared? Scared that I'd really leave, that I'd really take it back. Am I right?"

"I'm not, where do you get that confidence from?" Camille's eyes brimmed with tears, her voice choked with emotion.

"Is that stubbornness also something you picked up from your mentor?"

Arnold sighed with a mix of adoration and helplessness, holding her close 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 the world."

In that moment, all hesitations and fears were shattered by his unwavering choice.

“Camille, be my girl, will ya?”

Arnold’s eyes gleamed 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, piece by piece. Please, give me this chance.”

Fancy words of love were never Arnold's strong suit. These few lines, hard-won from his heart's depths, were his limit.

Finally, Camille could no longer hold back the tumultuous emotions within her. Tears streamed down her face as she gave a slight nod.

In that moment, Arnold felt as if the whole world burst into a kaleidoscope of colors, fireworks exploding in brilliant splendor.

Her shout pierced the sweet bubble they were in, causing Camille to hurriedly push Arnold away, her face aflame with embarrassment.

Thaddeus squeezed Evadne's trembling, excited hand, “Calm down, you’ve scared Ms. Evert.”

“I can’t calm down! I’ve got a sister-in-law! I’ve got another sister-in-law!” Evadne beamed, playfully punching his chest.

Arnold, unfazed, confidently took Camille's hand and brought her over.

“Evadne, let me introduce you once again.”

He turned to his beloved, his voice filled with tender affection, “This lady right here, is Mrs. Camille Ashbourne.”

“I am not,” Camille murmured shyly, her face growing even redder.

“Nice to meet you, Camille,” Evadne grinned from ear to ear.

“Hello, Mrs. Ashbourne.” Thaddeus followed suit, the epitome of emotional intelligence, “And congratulations, Arnold. Evadne and I look forward to taking part in your wedding party.”

“Haha, you rascal,” Arnold gave out a praising smile.

Now, Arnold truly saw his brother-in-law in a new light - and he liked what he saw.

“Ms. Ashbourne, please, don’t tease me,” Camille pleaded, too bashful to even lift her head.

“Camille, I knew it, you were bound to be my sister-in-law. No escape.”

Evadne clapped her hands in delight, “Ah, Cassius has found someone, and now you too. I must tell Emeric tonight. The news will surely cheer him and do wonders for his health.”

“I’ll go tell dad myself. It's the respectful thing to do, the right way to honor Camille,” Arnold held Camille's hand tightly, his voice solemn.

Camille felt her eyes moisten again, overwhelmed by the moment. People often admired her talents, but she knew her reputation for being difficult wasn't the best, and few truly respected her.

Apart from Evadne, Arnold was the second person to give her both love and respect.

She never knew she could be cherished like this. To be adored, it turned out, brought such a blissful feeling.

"Come on, since you're already here, let’s swing by my place!" Evadne was barely able to contain her excitement as she tried to usher Camille toward her home.

"Evadne, let's hold off on that for today."

Arnold was aware that he had only just started to win Camille's heart. He knew he had to tread carefully, to advance step by step. If he rushed things, Camille might feel overwhelmed, "Camille and I came over because she has something important to discuss with you, face to face."