My Ex-husband Begs Me Back
Chapter 933: The Stakes

Chapter 933: The Stakes

Quintus shook his head, "I don't know. Mr. Walker didn't tell me. Hespoke to Cora alone, so I don't know what they talked about.”

Ayan remained silent, his dark eyes staring at Quintus with a faint hintof disbelief, clearly not fully convinced by Quintus's words.

Quintus grew anxious, “I really don't know, Mr. Simpson. It's been thislong, and I have no reason to lie to you."

"Did Preston anticipate that my people would catch you right from thestart?" Ayan didn't respond to Quintus's words but instead asked hisown question.

Quintus fell silent instantly, and Ayan understood the truth. Hisconjecture was accurate.

Ayan scoffed lightly, saying, "So everything now was anticipated byPreston. How can you make me believe you? If Preston could foreseethat you'd be caught by my people, then he surely predicted that Iwould use your parents to threaten you. So, Quintus, do you think Ishould trust you?"

Ayan had complete control over the situation, and his cold demeanorshowed that he wasn't interested in being manipulated by Quintus’swords.

His silence amplified the quietness in the spacious villa's hall. Thisstillness felt like successive heavy hammer blows on the heart,inducing anxiety and uncertainty.

Quintus's silence confirmed Ayan's suspicions. He said indifferently,"Do you think I can't do anything to your parents, or does Prestonbelieve I won't? Otherwise, how could you dare challenge mypatience?"

Ayan's words turned Quintus pale. He hurriedly pleaded, "Mr. Simpson,I admit that he did anticipate that I would be caught by your people rightfrom the start. He told me that you wouldn't have any evidence to holdme. If I didn't appear within a day, he would report to the police, andyou'd eventually release me. As for Cora's situation, he truly didn't tellme. Mr. Simpson, I'm being honest. I haven't lied to you. I won't use myparents as the stakes. I swear!!!"

“Your oath means nothing to me. As for whether you've hidden ordeceived me, time will provide the answer. And reporting to the police?Ha, if Preston has that ability, let the authorities replace you. Let's see ifthey can locate you."

Ayan didn't regard Preston highly at all. Preston's words were justmeant to manipulate Quintus and Sean, people lacking in intelligence.However, Ayan was certain Quintus hadn't lied. After all, Preston wasmeticulous, and he probably expected that Quintus wouldn't be able tokeep a secret. If they really used methods, Quintus would eventuallyconfess. Therefore, it was better not to let Quintus know and to onlyinform Cora.

Ayan rose from the sofa, looking down at Quintus from a superiorvantage point. He said calmly, "You'd better pray your words are true. IfI replace out you're lying, Quintus, I can't promise I won't spread rumorsabout your affairs in Hance to your parents.”

"Mr. Simpson, Mr. Simpson, please don't tell my parents, I beg you."Quintus yelled hysterically, but Ayan didn't respond. He just glanced athim deeply and walked out.

Leaving the villa and getting into his car, Ayan immediately dialedKian's phone.

Once Kian answered, Ayan got straight to the point, "Keep investigatingwhere Cora went. Go to Flento City yourself, replace Zoie, and tell him I'mabout to initiate my plan.”

Since Preston wanted Cora to go to Flento City, he probably thoughtthat once she was there, he'd have no way to control her.

Sure, if Preston was so confident, then let's see if he could spare timeto meet Cora.

If Preston himself was preoccupied, how could he have time to dealwith Cora?

Kian readily agreed to Ayan's instructions. Even though it was late atnight, he immediately searched for the fastest available flight.

Then Kian added, "Mr. Simpson, if we advance the plan, won't it meana complete falling out with Preston?"

"Wasn't it already a falling out from the start?" Ayan never cared aboutthis. Preston wasn't important to him, so he didn't need to consider it.But Kian continued, "And Mrs. Simpson? Will she agree with the plan?It might lead to repercussions for you."

Ayan's expression stiffened instantly. He didn't speak, just remainedsilent, his expression far from pleasant.

Kian whispered, "Mr. Simpson, Mrs. Simpson is friends with Preston.Our plan could ruin Preston's reputation. Perhaps Mrs. Simpson won'tapprove and might blame you?"

Ayan's face hardened, and he said calmly, “You go to Flento first, replaceZoie, and tell her to cooperate at any time. As for the other matters, I'llhandle them.”

"Understood." Kian didn't want to say more. After all, if they hadconflicts or disputes, his job could be affected, especially when Ayanwas in a bad mood. He had to be careful not to make a misstep andrisk getting fired.

Ending the call, Kian immediately set up multiple searches for Cora andtook the late-night flight to Flento City.

After making the call, Ayan himself drove back to Franklin Bay.

By now, it was almost 11 p. m.

Upon returning, Ayan didn't rush upstairs. Instead, he sat on the sofa inthe living room and lit a cigarette. He didn't turn on the lights either. Thenight lamp in the hallway cast faint light onto him. He sat there with histall figure emitting an inward coldness and detachment.

Ayan also couldn't help but think about the question Kian had raised. Ifhis plan were advanced, Preston's situation would naturally worsen.Could Camille accept this?

Or would she criticize him for being too harsh on Preston?

Ayan squinted his eyes, and a chill emanated from his gaze. He stayedlike this for a long time, until the cigarette in his hand had burned out.Then he got up, discarded the cigarette butt into the ashtray, andheaded upstairs.

Master bedroom.

Ever since Ayan's car had returned to the villa, Camille had heard thesounds. However, she hadn't gone downstairs because Ayan hadn'tcome up, and she didn't want to intrude if he had something on hismind.

Tonight, his every word and action had shown her that he waspreoccupied. So she didn't want to disturb him and chose to pretendshe knew nothing.

Only when he pushed open the bedroom door and entered did Camillefinally turn her gaze towards him.

Seeing that Camille was still awake, Ayan was somewhat surprised."Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Camille put down her phone and met his eyes. She said, "I was waitingfor you!"

Ayan walked to the bedside. Since he hadn't taken a shower yet, hedidn't sit down. Instead, he brought over a nearby stool and sat on it.His warm gaze held a gentle warmth as he looked at Camille.

Their gazes met, and neither of them spoke. The atmosphere graduallyquieted down.

Camille blinked her eyes and looked at Ayan with confusion. "What'swrong?"

Ayan shook his head slightly, not speaking.

Camille furrowed her brows in puzzlement. "Did something happen?Where did you go tonight?"

Camille was worried. His reaction was so unusual, something very rarefor him.

He didn't answer her question immediately. Instead, his expressionsoftened a bit, and he asked in a low voice, "What's your currentopinion of Preston?"

Camille's brows furrowed even more tightly. She looked at Ayan withconfusion. "What do you mean by “opinion“?"

"As a friend."

His question was direct.

Camille didn't respond but asked, "Are you planning something againsthim? Are you worried that I'll have objections?"