Camille paused slightly at Gerona's invitation, smiling as she accepted.
After the car had completely driven away and disappeared from sight, Gerona finally came to his senses. As soon as he returned to the house, he received teasing from his biological daughter.
"When did I invite her to dinner?" Amiya sat on the stairs, propping her chin with one hand, and teased, "How come I didn't know you could fix cars?"
"Don't talk nonsense. I fixed your bicycle when you were little," Gerona returned to his easel, a faint smile unconsciously appearing as he looked at the stroke of color Camille had painted.
That evening, Gerona also shaved his beard and trimmed his hair. Perhaps he was a bit rusty, as he accidentally nicked his chin, requiring a small bandage.
Upon seeing himself in the mirror again, even Xia Qingtian couldn't help but gasp.
It had to be said, a man with excellent features was already very handsome with just a little bit of grooming.
That evening, Mrs. Camille arrived as promised, bringing a bouquet of beautiful flowers.
Seeing Gerona tidied up, Mrs. Camille seemed somewhat surprised as well.
The dinner that day was very pleasant. At the table, Mrs. Camille learned that Gerona's wife had passed away many years ago, and he lived with Amiya, having only recently moved to this small town.
After dinner, Gerona was to see Camille off. Before they left, Camille clearly stated that she was not someone who would settle down.
Perhaps she would have to disappoint Gerona's affection.
Such a rejection left Gerona somewhat taken aback, but he managed a dry smile, maintaining his adult dignity.
After that, chance encounters and reunions that were more stunning than the last led Gerona and Camille to appreciate each other.
Ultimately, they ended up together, with Amiya playing no small part in pushing things along.
Everything that followed seemed to happen quite naturally.
Gerona and Camille grew increasingly intimate, and Amiya also grew fond of Camille, who brought much laughter into their home.
Their life as a trio was lively and fulfilling.
Camille's artistic talent amazed Gerona, and Camille also discovered Amiya's artistic talent in design, encouraging her to study in larger cities and better schools, and not to waste her gift.
Five years flew by, as if an acceleration button had been pressed in front of that mirror.
Every day was so happy, like a line from a poem, like the final chapter of a fairy tale.
Until Gerona decided to propose to Camille.
All of this seemed to have been abruptly put on hold.
On the same day, while Gerona was out buying champagne, guests arrived.
Camille, left alone at home, met the guests' unfriendly demeanor with a cold gaze.
"Mrs. Camille," the other party began, "we meet again."
"It's you?" Camille seemed to recognize the person as well. "I've told you, I have no interest in your organization."
"Mrs. Camille, don't be so quick to refuse us. We are very sincere," the other party said with a smile. "With Mrs. Camille's talent, combined with our organization's strength, we can surely change the entire fashion industry and forge a new fashion empire!"
"I said I'm not interested. Please leave," Camille said, attempting to close the door.
"Amiya Lopez," the other party stated calmly, as if mentioning a trivial matter. "We also admire her talent."
"!" Upon hearing the mention of Amiya, Camille froze.
"Now, Mrs. Camille, are you interested in talking with us?"
Camille then moved aside, opening a path.
Three men entered, with French features and wearing suits, appearing respectable.
Xia Qingtian, watching from the mirror, curled her lip dismissively.
Upon seeing the man's buttons, Xia Qingtian stiffened.
These buttons!
She was far too familiar with them!
Not only had she seen them on Song Junhan's clothes in her past life, but she herself had also acquired one unexpectedly from the Lei family.
She had thought these buttons were unusual back then, but it turned out...
Her gaze shifted slightly. If she still thought these buttons were mere design decorations at this point, she would be utterly foolish.
After the guests were seated, they began to detail the benefits they could offer. Mrs. Camille merely sneered, "That's it?"
Facing Camille's sneer, the leader seemed somewhat surprised but replied with a faint smile, "If Mrs. Camille has any dissatisfaction, we can discuss it further."
"I'm dissatisfied with your repeated harassment. Can I ask you to explode right here?" Mrs. Camille said, propping her chin with one hand, her smile妩媚.
"You!" The other party realized Camille had no intention of discussing further, and their gaze instantly turned cold. "Isn't Mrs. Camille afraid of..."
"What is there to be afraid of?" Mrs. Camille laughed. "Ultimately, I stayed because this man provided me with interesting inspiration."
"However, my latest design is complete, and this place... originally had no value for me to stay." Mrs. Camille said with a cold laugh. "It's surprising you could track Amiya down. Haven't you tracked down my other men? Why not go find them one by one and see if I care about using things and discarding them?"
"!" The other party, who came to seek cooperation with Mrs. Camille, naturally knew her nature.
They were also very familiar with her tendency to draw inspiration from different men and discard them once used.
This woman who played with men, this vixen!
"So, there's nothing to discuss then?" the other party finally turned cold.
They had extended multiple invitations, showing Mrs. Camille ample respect, and this was the result?
This ungrateful slut!
"The door is that way. I won't see you out," Camille took a ladies' cigarette from a platinum cigarette case, lit it, and placed it between her lips, her eyes hazy and alluring, appearing completely indifferent.
"Hmph!" The three then snorted coldly and walked out. Before exiting the door, they glanced back at Mrs. Camille, their eyes filled with a venom that made even Xia Qingtian, watching from the mirror, shiver involuntarily.
After these people left, Camille took a deep puff of her cigarette, her gaze turning somber. She then crushed the cigarette in her hand.
The heat of the cigarette tip was extinguished in her palm, and her eyes welled up with tears from the pain.
Not a single tear fell. Camille simply packed her luggage as quickly as possible.
Now, every extra second she stayed would be a disaster for Gerona and Amiya.
Once upon a time.
There was a moment, just a fleeting moment, when she truly thought she might end her lifelong wandering in this small town.
But now, the dream had ended, and it was time for her to return to her own world.
To that glamorous, extravagant, and indifferent world.