Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 234

Chapter 234

Camden almost crushed his prized vintage baseball cards in his fists.

He couldn’t believe his eyes and kept double-checking.

He thought, ‘Why is Hudson here of all places?’

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Hudson glanced up at him, forcing Camden to bite back the greeting that was on the tip of his tongue.

Still on edge, Camden turned his head without thinking, and his hand shook so hard he almost dropped his cards again.

He thought, ‘Wait, is that Victor Quinn, the backbone of the nation, the nuclear physics legend?’

Victor chuckled and called out, “Camden.”

Camden immediately caught on and kept quiet. Thankfully, he often ran into Levi, the director of Kinetic University Tech Research Institute, at events. Otherwise, his heart really couldn’t have taken this string of shocks.

Even so, Camden couldn’t wrap his head around it. Why were these heavy-hitters all huddled around a beat- up card table, nursing long-neck beers and passing a bowl of mixed nuts?

He thought, ‘This is totally mind-blowing.

Conrad walked over, putting on his best scholarly air, with Celia following close behind.

He’d noticed Victor and others ages ago, but after last time, he wasn’t even on speaking terms with Victor anymore, so he didn’t bother with any greetings.

As Conrad glanced at Hudson, he was already cooking up a plan in his head.

Camden called out, “Conrad.”

Victor said, “No need for greetings.” He took a sip of his water, looking completely unfazed, and let out a cold

snort.

He never forgot a grudge.

Victor thought, ‘Don’t let that kind of scum pollute my eyes.

Henry, the security chief, immediately stepped forward, blocking Conrad and Celia from getting any closer to the big shots, keeping them at arm’s length.

Hudson, who hadn’t said a word until now, suddenly beckoned Stella over. His usually stern and commanding face actually showed a rare hint of a smile.

Hudson was the most unapproachable big shot in the military. His team got the VIP treatment wherever they went, except with Hudson himself. Not only was it impossible to cozy up to him, but Conrad had hit a wall

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Chapter 234

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Stella sauntered over, looking completely nonchalant. Even with all these big shots watching, she stayed cool and collected.

Hudson introduced, “This is a friend of mine. She had a bit of a situation today, so Camden, I need you to give a fair and truthful assessment.”

Camden replied, “Yes, sir.”

He bowed so low that he was nearly doubled over, not daring to act out of turn, the baseball cards still in his hands.

The crowd of onlookers was stunned.

They thought, ‘That can’t be right, can it?

‘Is that really Camden himself?

‘Isn’t he the guy who used to roast everyone on those treasure appraisal shows on TV?

‘Why is he suddenly acting like a total pushover?’

Celia watched Stella stroll over, totally chill and acting like she couldn’t care less. Celia couldn’t help but clench her fists; jealousy crawled through her heart like a swarm of tiny bugs.

She didn’t even know who Hudson was, but if someone as high and mighty as Camden was bowing his head, then this guy had to be a real big shot.

Celia fumed inwardly, ‘Why does Stella get to be called over, while I’m stuck here, blocked from even getting close?

‘This is so unfair.’

Celia said, “We’ve still got paintings and signed prints to check over there.”

She deliberately raised her voice, making sure the big shots at the table heard her.

But Hudson completely ignored her. He looked up at Stella with a calm expression and said, “Go ahead.”

Now that Hudson was overseeing things, Camden shook off all his usual slackness and got super serious. “Where are the paintings and signed prints? Where are they?” he asked.

Not far away, Linda waved anxiously. She said, “Over here, Mr. Cooper!”

She’d wanted to get closer and see what was happening, but before she could even take a few steps, a group of stern-faced, upright men blocked her way.

She didn’t even have the privilege to get near those big shots.

Linda watched as Camden bowed and scraped to a bunch of old men at the table. Only then did it dawn on

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her: these old guys, dressed so shabbily their clothes looked patched and worn, were anything but ordinary.

A bunch of people had the same idea.

But before anyone could even try to get close, the security guards who’d been hanging back in the shadows suddenly stepped out into the sunlight and locked down the area, making sure these old guys were totally off- limits.

The crowd of onlookers was all left speechless.

They thought, ‘Holy crap, these really are the big shots.

Camden slipped on his glasses and leaned over the Vigil of the Gilded Scarecrow spread on the table, examining it inch by inch, terrified he might miss even the tiniest flaw.

The crowd of gawkers, who’d been waiting forever, all held their breath, eyes locked on Camden, dying to hear his verdict.

After a while, Camden took off his glasses and instinctively glanced at the nearby table.

Landen peered over with a mocking tone. He said, “So? It’s a fake, right?”

He let out a cold snort.

Camden fiddled with his fingers, a conflicted look in his eyes as he glanced up at Stella. He opened his mouth, but the words just wouldn’t come out.

On the other side, Sophia said softly, “Mr. Cooper, don’t hold back. Just say it.”

Linda couldn’t help but chime in, “Yeah, seriously! We all trust you, Mr. Cooper. Don’t keep her in suspense!”

Stella replied, “Go ahead.”

Her voice was cool and unreadable, impossible to tell what she was feeling.

Camden said, “In my professional opinion, this painting is…”

Everyone leaned in, holding their breath, afraid to even blink.

Camden added, “It’s the real deal!”

Everyone exploded: shouts and gasps filled the airl

Allan’s hand jerked, and peanuts went flying everywhere, scattering all across the table,

He thought, ‘Impossible.

Meanwhile, the other old guys just shot each other a look, casually refilled each other’s coffee, totally unfazed, as if this were just another ordinary day for them.

Landen glared angrily. He snapped, “Are you serious? No way. This is totally a fake. We were—”

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