Laura’s POV 135
It turns out that during this period of time, Cameron’s life has been rumored.
Several of the bigger TV stations were taking turns rolling out that conference held publicly by The Sterling Family. At the conference Cameron was dressed in a form-fitting black suit that framed his perfect figure flawlessly.Material © NôvelDrama.Org.
His angular face, cool and indifferent eyes, rational and wise words, as well as the strong aura emanating from his body ….
He is still the old Cameron.
My nose is sore, and I can’t help but move closer to the TV, as if I can get a little closer to him.
But am I still the same person I used to be?
Am I still in his world?
Maybe he and I are destined to be separated in this life, maybe we had some kind of entanglement in our past lives, and in this life I returned a daughter to him, so we don’t owe each other anything.
But I really want to have a lifetime with him can not be unraveled, even if we can not love each other, hate each other can also.
At this time, my cell phone kept vibrating again.
“What is it?” The caller was George again.
His voice was a little hesitant, “You … you’ve seen the news, right?”
“Watching it.”
“About Cameron …”
“I know all about it.” I replied faintly, wanting to laugh, a hooked lip but two lines of tears fell.
George’s end was silent for a long time and didn’t move.
Come to think of it, it was really quite difficult for him to be caught in the middle. He is Cameron’s best friend, my boss, and has business dealings with Rafael. And with all of us in the mix, it wouldn’t be good for him to favor anyone.
“Actually, even I was shocked, I didn’t expect Cameron’s life to be so twisted. But luckily, he finally found his family.” George said softly, “The Sterling Family made a lot of noise this time, all the dignitaries in the family came, except Cameron’s father who was really too sick to get out of bed.”
“Hmm.” I responded softly.
“The Executive Director of The Sterling Family, publicly announced at the conference that Cameron will be joining the Southeast AsiaThe Sterling Family Group as the first heir. He’s taking charge of 50% of the group’s affairs first, and once the business is familiarized, The Sterling Family will be his.”
“…”
“Laura,” he said, “The Sterling Family will be hosting an appreciation banquet in three days.”
“Does it concern me?”
He paused, “It’s relevant; The Sterling Family is making a big deal out of taking Cameron back to Southeast Asia after this appreciation dinner at Jerez State, so almost all the famous people from all walks of life have been invited, and that includes people from show business.”
“Oh, I see.” I said, “Becky got her start in show business from Jerez State, so it’s only right that she invite old friends.”
“But strangely enough,” George whispered, “you have an invitation too, and I have it right now.”
“What?”
I giggled inwardly.
I did have a few commercials and a movie and television production, and although I had built up a certain amount of popularity and was being talked about in the media, in terms of popularity and power, I should be nowhere near the point of attending The Sterling Family’s banquet.
George continued to lower his voice, “Do you think this could be an invitation from Cameron?”
My heart suddenly pounded.
Settling down, I asked him again, “Who else is on the list, do you know?”
He said a few names, these people are all sort of the pillars of The Curry Group media, either the queen of the television or the movie star, and Fryday and I, compared to them, are very much like going to be the sidekick.
I guess because we are highly talked about, we are used to attract the media’s attention? But with The Sterling Family’s power, why would they need to use two small stars that were hyped up as the center of public opinion?
“Never mind, you don’t need to think about it.” George said, “I’ve seen the overall list, no matter whether it’s academia, business or any other circles, there are many newcomers invited, you don’t need to worry too much. Just dress appropriately when you get there, talk less, and keep your behavior low key … Keep in mind that Rafael was also invited, plus that relationship you have with Cameron … Ugh, Laura, you’re in a tough spot! ”
“Yeah.” I smiled awkwardly, “I’ve kind of come to a deep realization of what it means to be a rat in a bellows. Right now I’m that rat, jumping into a big bellows, thinking I can fly up to the sky, but actually it’s good that I didn’t get played to death!”
“Don’t be so pessimistic,” he laughed, “there’s a lot of people going that day, and the press will be busy. Just don’t draw attention to yourself and everything will be fine!”
“Yes, in case I stand out, wouldn’t that be a racket? The media would have to seize this opportunity to dig me and CameronRafael up!”
“You’re an understanding man!” George laughed softly.
I hung up the phone and started looking for a suitable dress.
On the day of the appreciation banquet, the whole venue was full of clothes and jewelry, and I purposely picked a plain brown dress with a high neckline to wrap myself up tightly. In addition to two earrings, there is nothing to dress up, hair simply disk a little, put on some light makeup, this appearance in a group of noblewomen and celebrities singer and movie queen in the middle of, really does not count for anything.
Even when Fryday saw me, she exclaimed and teased, “Yo, is this our future big movie queen Laura? Coming to the banquet like this, hehe, I didn’t see it at first, I thought it was the assistant I fired!”
I had no intention of fighting with her, George had said that the more low-key I could keep this situation today, the better.
So I asked the emcee to put me in the center to enter the venue, and walked with two more colleagues on the left and right, and didn’t stay on the red carpet for more than a few seconds before turning around and entering the ballroom. The first wave of stars killed the reporters’ flash, and the next wave was a few famous scholars and experts who are rarely seen on TV, so the reporters were waiting for me, and I, who walked in the middle, naturally became a fish out of water.
However, just when I was not pursued by the reporter today and complacent, I found that it is really a narrow road between the enemy …
I was able to escape the reporters, but not my own mom.
My mom, Mellisa, was at the party, alongside my brother, Carter.
At that moment I froze in place, I do not know whether to turn and run away, or should be generous to go up to say hello. My relationship with them seemed more awkward and complicated than that with Cameron or Rafael.
The word affection is an extremely warm and precious word in this world, but when it comes to me, I have never experienced it.
Mom spotted me and came this way with Carter. I couldn’t hide anymore, so I just stood there, barely pulling a smile out of my face.
“Mom,” I whispered, glancing at Carter and squeezing out those two words with difficulty, “brother.”
“Not bad, recognizing you as a brother!” Carter narrowed his eyes, grimacing.
He looked good, still tall and handsome, not like a fresh out of jail, and I’m sure he couldn’t have suffered much in jail just with how much my mom loved him.
But what about me?
Did I deserve to be kidnapped by him? And almost got shot to death by him?
Thinking of my mom came to plead with me after the incident, letting me not prosecute Carter, thinking of her bias, thinking of the shot Rafael took for me, thinking of the price I paid for this … This series of things is like a domino that pushes down, one after another, weighing on me breathlessly.
Thinking of these, my mood is inevitably ups and downs.
“Heh, why don’t you recognize it?” I looked at Carter, “If there was someone who ever wanted you dead, I’m afraid you’d recognize that person in ashes, right?”
Carter’s eyes darkened, the corners of his lips still slightly hooked in a kind of chilling smile.
“Laura,” my mom looked at me, “are you still counting on this?”
“Shouldn’t I be counting on it?” I was incredulous, “Mom, do you think I should be generous? The one who kidnapped me is my own brother anyway! We’re all family behind closed doors, why should we care so much?”
“You … “Mom paused, her face not looking good.
Then she said coldly, “Anyway, Carter has been punished, and he’s been in the slammer this whole time! He’s been in jail, it’s a stain on his life that he can’t erase, isn’t that enough? What more do you want Laura, he is your brother after all!”
“After all, he is a brother …” I sneered, “Heh, so I deserve to be kidnapped by you guys with affection?”
“Whatever you think!” Carter laughed sorrowfully, “Anyway, a girl is too big to stay in the family, we treat you as a family and you turn your elbows out!”
I glared at him, not wanting to make more of a fuss. He had the good sense to leave as well and went around with his champagne in hand to make a toast. Mom and I stood face-to-face, and for a while I couldn’t leave or stay.
After a long moment, I said, “I saw some friends and went over to say hello.”
“Laura,” Mom called out to me.
A complicated look came over her face. Her hand rose, probably to touch my head, but it stopped in mid-air, hesitated, and then dropped.
Just as she had hesitated, she resolutely put me down.
My heart went cold.
“Laura, wait, I have something I want to tell you.”
“What else?” I looked at her faintly.
“I heard you’re getting married, congratulations in advance.”
I laughed softly, “You’re so misinformed, haven’t you heard that my wedding date has been delayed?”
She frowned, her gaze dripping with skepticism. “You’re not marrying that Mr. Rafael?”
“I think he and I need a little more time to get to know each other.”
“Well, it’s good to get to know each other better. Marriage is a big deal.” I was surprised by her reaction.
I thought she would take the opportunity to make a few snide remarks, drag out those past events between Cameron and me, or inquire about what’s going on here, and continue to educate me in the meantime.
But I didn’t expect …
I feel a little sour in my heart, after all, mom is a mom, she still cares about me as a daughter, right? She is actually just like all the mothers in the whole world, she is worried and anxious about her daughter’s marriage, right?
“Laura,” she suddenly held my hand. Her fingertips were cold despite the fine furs she was wearing.
“I know in your heart you resent me. You blame me for favoring your brother, don’t you?” There were a few moments of pity in her gaze, “But what do you want me to do? It’s true that it’s Carter’s fault for kidnapping you, but have you ever thought about the fact that you’re his sister after all, and what’s in it for him if he kidnaps you? Besides, he hasn’t gotten to the point of losing his heart!”
I was furious when I heard this, “He hasn’t lost his heart? Heh, you’re not going to tell me that he’s a grown man and he’s still being instigated, are you?”
Mom looked at me sharply, her lips twitching slightly.
Something didn’t sit right with me at that moment, but the emotion passed by.
After a while she regained her composure and said to me softly, “Laura, you really shouldn’t be mouthing off about helping outsiders. In the future you’ll learn that a relative is a relative, and even if they are wrong, they are still the people in this world who are connected to you by blood, and our blood is thicker than water.”
I didn’t want to argue with her any further and found an excuse to leave.
Hiding in a corner by myself, I brought a plate full of food and ordered two large drinks from the waiter. Everyone else was busy socializing by pushing their glasses, but I was the only one busy filling my belly.
What can I do to relieve my worries? Food!
However, I was still very distracted.
Not far away, I saw my mom taking Carter to socialize with someone. Mom still has the style of a strong woman, even though she has been up and down so many times, her kind of temperament is more and more solid, standing in the crowd, still so dazzling.
On the other hand, Becky took Cameron and introduced him to some elders, probably the elders of The Sterling Family. Their hands and feet, their words and actions were all so noble and calm. Cameron, in particular, had more of a mature manliness about him, and wherever he went, he was the center of attention surrounded by celebrities.
I smiled.
I was more like an outsider, or I was on the wrong path from the beginning, I didn’t belong to their world at all.
Soon Becky took the stage, standing in front of the microphone with grace and beauty. She waved her hand and the room instantly quieted down. With a decent smile on her face, she thanked everyone in a gurgling voice for attending the party on her busy schedule.
“Also on behalf of the entire family, I’d like to extend a huge thank you to The Lynch Family for raising my brother these past few decades.”
She invited Mellisa to the stage and gave her a deep bow in front of the crowd.
“Thank you Mrs. Mellisa!” Becky said, “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t know where to find my brother. And thank you Mr. Cameron, if it wasn’t for your The Lynch Family’s dedication to nurturing him over the years, Cameron wouldn’t have been so good …”
“I spent the best years of my life at Jerez State,” she said emotionally, “I dedicated my youth here, and I always believed that Jerez State would not treat me poorly … Sure enough I was I found my long lost family here. I am grateful to Jerez State, and The Lynch Family is even more of a benefactor to The Sterling Family … So on behalf of The Sterling Family, I promise that we will maintain a long term cooperation with The Lynch Group in the future, and I ask you to bear witness to us. We ask that you bear witness to the fact that nothing I have said is untrue! We, The Sterling Family, will spare no effort to support The Lynch Group no matter what!”
There was silence on the stage, and then I don’t know who led the applause, one after another, until the whole ballroom was drowned in applause.
People were talking to each other, while Becky and Mellisa hugged each other on stage, and a few more shareholders of The Sterling Family walked up to thank them, the atmosphere was peaceful, but I was on edge.
What would Cameron face in this family?
Even if it is the biological son of this family, but for so many years no news, those shareholders are not easy to wait until The Sterling Family old man is about to die, is trying to seize the power, suddenly appeared out of thin air such an heir … they endure this breath?
If they can’t bear it, won’t their target of revenge be Cameron?
I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat … This recognition of kinship, could it be a conspiracy?
Just as I was thinking, Cameron walked onto the stage with faith, and all eyes were on him. He smiled slightly, imposing, sharp gaze around the crowd, inadvertently in my place to stay a little more …
The moment I locked eyes with him, I blushed violently and my breathing seemed to have stopped.
Those few seconds seemed like centuries.
Then he slowly averted his gaze and greeted everyone in a low, magnetic voice.
And at the same time, he looked at me again, his eyes seemed to have a different meaning …