Levi gently patted Jacqueline on the back. "Honey, this really isn''t your fault. You don''t have to feel so guilty about it. If anyone''s to me, it''s me! didn''t protect you or Cam well enough."


    Cameron, for a moment, had no idea what to say, and the same went for Lance.


    Lance said, "Mom, Dad, now''s not the time to argue about whose fault it is. The important thing is, Cameron is still here, safe and sound."


    Cameron bit her lip in silence, not knowing what to say.


    Hearing that, Jacqueline slowlyposed herself and stopped crying eventually. "You''re right. The fact that Cam is still alive and healthy is the greatest blessing to our family."


    With reddened eyes, she turned to Cameron. "Cam, I''m really happy you agreed to meet us. Thank you. Oh, and I got you a little something."


    Just as she was about to retrieve the gift, Cameron asked, "Didn''t you already give me the family''s crest broochst night?"


    Jacqueline paused, then smiled. "I did. Butpared to the gifts from your dad and your brothers, it felt a little in, so I got you something else."


    Levi chuckled and said, "You have no idea. Your mom wants to give you the best of everything in the world."


    Cameron looked down, unable to find the right words to describe her feelings. She could already feel how deeply her parents cared about her.


    She thought, ''Brad had been right. Just by being their biological daughter, I didn''t have to do anything to earn their love.''


    Although Cameron felt their love for her, she didn''t know how to return that love. She couldn''t help but wonder, ''Is this affection just a passing thing, or would it reallyst?''


    No one could say for sure.


    "Cam." Seeing Cameron stay silent, Jacqueline asked, "Are you pressured by the things I did? I just... I just want to make it up to you, that''s all."


    She spoke so carefully, as though afraid that one wrong move would push Cameron away.


    Watching from the side, Lance found it almost surreal. Jacqueline had always been graceful andposed. He''d never seen her this nervous or lower herself like this for anyone.


    Levi added, "Cam, if you have anything on your mind, just tell us. We''re your family, so you don''t have to hold back."


    Surely, Levi could tell Cameron was uneasy, and he understood why. This was their first real meeting in 18 years, and at her age, she was still just a kid.


    Finally, Cameron spoke up softly. "I... I''m just not used to it." She''d gotten used to being treated coldly by her adoptive parents, so this sudden affection really was hard for her to handle.


    As soon as she said that, her parents let out a sigh of relief. They''d been so worried that they''d mess things up and make Cameron dislike them.


    Lance said, "Cameron, once you return to the Yates family, you''ll get used to it, little by little."


    Lance was certain their parents would probably shower Cameron with everything they could once Cameron moved back in to make it up to her.


    Cameron nced at Lance but stayed quiet. She could feel just how much her parents cared about her. But when it came to moving back and staying with the Yates family, she honestly wasn''t sure.


    The entire time, Jacqueline kept a close eye on Cameron''s expression. Seeing no response, she figured Cameron was still a little hesitant. But tha okay, as this was already a huge step forward. At least they''d finally met.


    Jacqueline quickly shifted the mood with a gentle smile. "It''s already lunchtime. Let''s order something and talk while we eat. Cam, is there anything


    you''re in the mood for?"


    Lance added, "This hotel''s great, they have all kinds of dishes."


    "Cam, here''s the menu." Levi smiled and handed the menu to Cameron.


    Cameron nced at it, then slid it back to Jacqueline. "You can go ahead and


    order." She figured it was better to let the elders choose.


    Jacqueline looked slightly nervous, as she didn''t know what type of food Cameron liked.


    "I''m not a picky eater," Cameron said.


    Jacqueline''s face lit up. "Cam, do you eat spicy food?"


    Cameron nodded. "I do."


    Jacqueline smiled again. "What kind of dishes do you usually like?"


    Cameron thought for a moment. "Honestly, I really don''t mind anything. You can just order anything you want."


    Jacqueline was rendered speechless. After all, it can be tough ordering food for a group of people sometimes.


    So, Levi took the menu, read out the names of a few dishes, and asked Cameron, "How about these?"


    Cameron nodded. "Yeah, I''m good."


    At her response, Jacqueline and Levi quietly breathed a breath of relief. Lance took the menu next and added a few more dishes to the list.


    Then Jacqueline turned back to Cameron with a warm smile. "Cam, school''s starting soon, isn''t it?"


    Cameron nodded. "Yeah."


    Jacqueline asked, "What major did you pick? Can you tell me about it?"


    "Pharmacology," Cameron replied.


    Levi asked, "Pharmacology? Are you nning to work in that field?"


    Cameron nodded. "Yeah."


    Levi and Jacqueline exchanged a quick nce. Cameron didn''t seem like much of a talker-or maybe she just didn''t feel ready to open up yet. Either way, a brief, awkward pause filled the air.


    Lance broke the silence. "Mom, Dad, aren''t you going to tell Cameron more about our family?"


    Levi looked at him. "You didn''t tell her?"


    Lance said, "I just gave her a quick rundown."


    Jacqueline smiled. "Let me tell you then, Cam." With that, she started chatting away.


    The Yates family moved to the ind 18 years ago, back when it was nothing more than a stretch of emptynd. Over time, they transformed it into a thriving little city.


    Now, the ind had everything one would expect-schools, hospitals, amusement parks, shops, and supermarkets.


    Today, it was home to hundreds of thousands of people, and nearly everyone worked for the Yates family.


    Cameron nodded. "Got it."


    10:09 Thu, 12 Jun 0


    Cameron''s face didn''t show much, leaving Levi and Jacqueline unsure


    of


    what she was really thinking.


    Just then, there was a knock at the door. The waiter came in and began cing the dishes on the table individually.


    As soon as everything was set, Leyi and Jacqueline warmly helped fill Cameron''s te, piling it high with food.


    Cameron said, "That''s way too much. I can''t eat all this, and it''ll just go to waste.”


    Levi said, "It''s alright, don''t worry about it."


    Jacqueline smiled warmly. "Cam, is there anything else you want to eat?"


    Cameron replied, "This is enough."


    Lance jumped in, ncing at their parents. "Mom, Dad, we''ve got time. I know you want to make it up to Cameron, but let''s take it slow."


    Jacquelineughed. "Alright, we''ll take it slow."


    By the end of the meal, Cameron could truly feel how much Levi and Jacqueline cared about her.


    After lunch, Lance got right to the point. "Cameron, is your decision still the same? Why don''t youe home with us? Yates Manor is your home."


    As soon as he spoke, Levi and Jacqueline looked at her, nervous and wondering, ''Would Cam say yes?''


    They''d wanted to ask her for a long time, but were afraid she''d be put off, so they never brought it up. They didn''t expect Lance to be so in tune with them and asked the question on their behalf.


    Cameron looked up at Lance, then nced at Levi and Jacqueline. Both were watching her closely, full of hope.


    Cameron was quiet for a moment, then said, "Can you give me a day to think about it?"


    "All right, all right," Jacqueline said quickly. "Cam, I really want you toe back


    with me, but I''m not in a rush. We''ll respect your choice."


    Levi said, "Cam, don''t stress yourself out over this."


    Lance said, "Cameron, we''ll be waiting for your answer,"


    After the meal, Levi and Jacqueline hoped to spend more time with Cameron, but


    Lance stepped in and ended the meet-up. With that, Cameron said her goodbyes and left.


    Levi and Jacqueline watched as Cameron got into the taxi. Jacqueline''s eyes


    were teary, and she almost ran after Cameron for a moment, but she held


    back.


    Lance repeated, "Mom, Dad, Cameron said she needs a day to think about it. Don''t worry, a day will fly by."


    So, Levi and Jacqueline stayed at the hotel. That way, if Cameron agreed to return with them, they could take her home immediately.


    Cameron sat in the back of the taxi, watching the city streets slide by in reverse


    as her mind raced. She honestly didn''t even know how to put her feelings into words right now.


    There was something warm and familiar about her parents; she could feel how much they cared about her too. Maybe going back wouldn''t be so bad after all.


    ''But how long could a rtionshipst without a real emotional foundation?'' she wondered.


    Just as she was wavering, a WhatsApp message from Elijah popped up. [Cameron, you didn''te to work today?]


    He''d waited in thepany lobby again that morning, hoping to catch a glimpse


    of Bradley dropping her off.


    But when it got close to clock in time and there was still no sign of either of them,


    he figured maybe she''de in early.


    But even at lunch, Elijah kept scanning the cafeteria, but Cameron was nowhere


    to be found. At this point, he couldn''t hold back anymore and finally


    sent her a message.


    Cameron replied: [Yeah, something came up, so I didn''t go to work. I probably won''t be in for the next few days too.]


    Elijah: [You''re noting in for the next few days? Is something up? Need any


    help?]


    Cameron looked at Elijah''s message and smiled. He was still the same-quiet on


    the surface, but always kind underneath.


    Cameron: [Elijah, I don''t think this is something you can


    Elijah: [Cameron, would you mind telling me about it?]


    help with.]


    Back then, Elijah would''ve never asked so directly. But after seeing Bradley pick


    Cameron up from work yesterday, something about it had unsettled


    him.


    He''d always known she was closest to Bradley, and he didn''t dare dream to be


    her best friend. But it was enough for him if he could be someone she turned to


    when things got hard.


    Cameron: [It''s hard to talk about this over text.]


    Elijah: [Where are you? I''lle find you.]


    Cameron thought about it and figured there was no harm in telling him.


    Cameron: [Noble Vista.]


    Elijah: [I''ll be there soon.]


    Half an hourter, Elijah knocked on Cameron''s door. When Camern went to open


    the door, she was surprised to find him already there. "That was fast."


    "You okay?" he asked, slightly out of breath, a thinyer of sweat on his forehead


    as he looked her over with concern.


    Cameron smiled. "I''m fine. Want to wash your face first?"


    "I''m good-" he started, then paused, remembering that Cameron was a bit of a


    clean freak. He quickly corrected himself. "Actually, yeah. I''ll go wash


    up."


    Cameron handed Elijah a clean towel, then brewed him a cup of coffee.


    Elijah sat down across from her. "So... are you ready to talk about it?"


    Cameron said, "Elijah, I found my birth parents. I skipped work today to meet them at lunch."


    Technically, they were the ones who found her.


    Elijah looked genuinely surprised. "You found your family? That''s amazing.


    Congrats." "Thanks,” Cameron said. “Now I''m just not sure if I should go back to them." "You''re not sure?" Elijah raised a brow. "You don''t want to?"


    "I didn''t before. But after seeing them today... I''m not so sure anymore. They''re actually really kind people," she said.


    A small smile tugged at Elijah''s lips. "So now you''re leaning toward going back?" Chapter 559


    Cameron nodded honestly. "Yeah."


    She had to admit that Levi and Jacqueline gave her a real sense of warmth. She


    could feel how sincere they were and felt the fates household probably had a great atmosphere.


    Maybe just like how it was at Bradley''s ce.


    Elijah took a sip of coffee and said, "Then go back to them, Cameron. Maybe


    you''ll find what you''ve been missing all these years."


    Cameron asked, "You think I should go back to the Yates family too?"


    “Too?” Elijah immediately caught that word.


    “Brad said the same thing. He thinks I should go home to them," she exined.


    Elijah nodded, thinking, ''So, Cameron had already told Brad. Am I thest one to


    know?''


    Without thinking, he asked, "What about Austin and Xander? Did they say the same?"


    Cameron shook her head. "They don''t know about this."


    Hearing that, Elijah finally felt relieved. If Austin and Xander didn''t know about


    this, that had to mean something, right?


    Elijah wondered if that meant he was more important than the two. He knew there


    was no point inparing them this way, but he couldn''t help but dive deeper into


    it.


    With a small smile, Elijah said, “Cameron, I really think you should go back to your


    family. Family is something you just can''t do without."


    Even though Elijah''s parents were hardly ever around, he still loved them.


    "I''ll think about it," Cameron said. “Thanks foring all the way here just to talk."


    "It''s nothing. Honestly, the reason I even took that job at yourpany was so I


    could-" Elijah stopped himself halfway through. He couldn''t let Cameron know he wanted to see her daily.


    He couldn''t say that out loud. She''d probably start avoiding him if she found out


    how he felt.


    Cameron finished his sentence for him, "I know, you''re just here to get some experience."


    Elijah didn''t deny that. Suddenly, a thought urred to him. "Oh, right. How did your family find you? Are you sure they''re really your parents?" Cameron was, after all, the top scorer in this year''s college entrance exam. The


    school had awarded her three million dors and a luxury property worth the same amount.


    It wouldn''t be surprising if someone tried to scam her.


    "I met a girl when I was taking my driving test..." she began, and gave him a


    simple summary of what had happened honestly.


    But to this day, Cameron still hadn''t figured out who that girl really was. All she


    knew was that the girl had two older brothers.


    "Well, since the paternity test was done, I feel more relieved," Elijah said.


    Cameron smiled. "Elijah, do I really look like someone who''s easy to scam?" Elijah said, "Not at all."


    The two of them kept chatting, and before they knew it, hours had passed. Cameron only realized it was already dinnertime when she got a WhatsApp text


    from Bradley.


    Bradley: (Where are you?]


    Cameron: (Noble Vista.]


    Bradley: [Want to grab dinner together?]


    Cameron: [Elijah''s at my ce.]


    Cameron looked at Elijah, asking, "Elijah, you wanna grab dinner together?"