"Nathalie, can we chat for a moment?" This was the first time Cameron had spoken to Nathalie with such a gentle tone.

Nathalie wasn't having any of it. "That won't be necessary," she replied, her voice cold and unyielding.

Trying to look sincere, Cameron said, "I just want to apologize."

Nathalie's gaze was icy, cutting right through him. She saw through his facade. "Cameron, you're not here to genuinely apologize. You're just hoping I'll forgive you to help reduce your mom's sentence or maybe even get her off the hook." Cameron didn't flinch despite being called out. Instead, he seemed relieved, as if he was sure that the kind-hearted Nathalie would help him out.

"Nathalie, my mom was your mother-in-law once. She took care of you. Can't you forgive her because of that connection? Please?"

But Cameron never really understood Nathalie.

In her past life, she might have been someone who lacked principles, and constantly backed down. She experienced heartbreak as a result of kindness and concession, leading to the death of her beloved daughter. In this life, she'd turned proactive and was ready to fight her own battles.

She looked at Cameron, almost gleeful. "Cameron, I wouldn't mind if your mother dropped off the face of the earth. Why would I help her dodge her crimes?"

Cameron turned as white as a sheet. He understood why she hated him, but he couldn't wrap his head around why she despised his mom so much.

"I'm the one who hurt you. Why do you take it out on my mom?"

Nathalie's eyes welled up with tears. "You really think your mom's a saint? She's just a bully of a mother-in-law."

Cameron's mind flashed back to all the times Kristina had subtly and not-so-subtly insulted Nathalie. Kristina always looked down on Nathalie for marrying Cameron without bringing in anything and for not adding any prestige to the family.

But every family had its drama, right? Cameron thought Nathalie's grudge against his mom was just narrow-mindedness.

"I barely recognize you." Cameron shook his head as if Nathalie was a stranger now.

That comment hit a nerve with Nathan, who immediately told Cameron to leave. "Cameron,

whatever Nathalie has become net

none of your disgusting family's business. Get lost. Nathalie doesn't want to see you."

Cameron wasn't ready to give up. "Mr. Nathan, if you help my mom stay out of prison, I'll make sure you climb the ladder of success. Why do you throw away your future for a woman?" en

Nathan's face turned to stone.

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everything I want without your help." Property © of .

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Cameron was stuck, feeling frustrated and helpless.

Nathan's words cut deep. "Cameron, even your dad wants nothing to do with you. Ever wonder why no one likes you?"

Those words hit Cameron hard.

Nathan kept going. "Luckily, Nathalie ditched a loser like you, and now she's thriving."

Nathalie couldn't help but smile, nudging Nathan away. "Nathan, stop wasting your breath. Why bother with this jerk?"

To Nathalie, Cameron was like some monster. Just the mention of him made her feel sick.

With no one to turn to, Cameron was feeling down and ended up at a bar to drown his sorrows.

The bar was almost empty because it was a weekday. The owner recognized Cameron and decided to chat him up.