Chapter 79
Cameron shook her head lightly, her gaze drifting toward the window as if she were lost in thought. “No, I came to speak with you, Ms. Stovall. I know this may seem out of place, but I feel it’s important.”
Her words immediately piqued my curiosity, and I paused mid-action, turning to face her fully. “What is it? Is something going on with Ashton?” I asked, my voice betraying my concern.
She sighed, placing her bag down on the nearby chair before looking directly at me. “It’s about the press conference that Nick arranged,” she began, her tone serious. “You may not realize this yet, but things could spiral out of control very quickly if it’s not handled properly.”
I frowned, leaning back against the counter. “What are you talking about? Nick’s announcement should be straightforward. It’s just him addressing the rumors, nothing more.”
Cameron shook her head, her expression tight. “It’s more complicated than that. I’ve seen how Ashton’s temper flares, and I don’t think he’s going to take this lightly. The media will be relentless, and if they get hold of the wrong narrative, it could affect both of you—and your relationship with him. Especially with John.”
The mention of John caused a cold shiver to run down my spine. It was the last thing I wanted to think about, but I knew I couldn’t ignore it. John’s reach and power were immense, and if he saw this as an opportunity to exert control over me, it would be disastrous.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. “So, what should I do?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper as I tried to absorb the weight of what Cameron was saying.
She gave me a reassuring, though slightly strained, smile. “You need to talk to Ashton. Get him to understand the gravity of the situation. If you don’t take control now, things might slip out of your hands.” She paused, then added, “And you should also be prepared. John’s involvement could get messy. I can help you with that if you need it.”
I looked at Cameron, grateful yet worried. “Thank you, Ms. Anderson. I didn’t expect this to become such a big issue.”
Cameron placed a gentle hand on mine. “You don’t need to thank me. I’m just doing what anyone in my position would. Ashton may be your husband, but he’s also in the thick of this, and sometimes we all need to step back and look at the bigger picture.”
As she finished speaking, I felt the weight of her words sink in. The tension from the upcoming press conference wasn’t just about reputation anymore—it was about control, about power struggles, and about whether I could protect everything I had worked so hard for, including my relationship with Ashton.
The door to the tea room creaked open, and Mrs. Eriksen appeared, her face bright with a warm smile as she placed a tray of fruit and snacks on the table. But even her presence, calming as it was, couldn’t quite shake the anxiety gnawing at me.
Ashton’s words from earlier echoed in my mind: “I don’t know what to think anymore.” And I knew, deep down, that if I didn’t act fast, if I didn’t clear things up with him and get him on the same page, everything could unravel—not just with the press, but with us.
I gave Cameron a determined nod. “I’ll speak to Ashton. I’ll handle it, somehow.”
She nodded in return, her face softening with approval. “Good. Just be careful, Scarlett. Sometimes, it’s not just about the truth—it’s about how the world perceives it.”
I understood what she meant. The truth could be easily twisted. But I wouldn’t let it destroy everything I had. Not without a fight.