When Cameron got a call from Ashley asking for a meet-up, he wasn''t the least bit surprised. The betting agreement between the first and second divisions of the Stewart family had everyone''s future and fortunes hanging in the bnce, so naturally, Ashley couldn''t just sit this one out.


    On the phone, Ashley''s voice was practically dripping with desperation. "Cameron, you''ve got to help us this time. We can''t afford to lose."


    Cameron hesitated for a moment. For some reason, he kept picturing Nathalie''s innocent face in his mind. If he didn''t step up for Nathalie, who would?


    "Who else have you reached out to besides me?" Cameron asked.


    Ashley replied, "The Rond family and the McCoy family. Cameron, you have to be there tonight."


    Cameron gave a casual, "Alright."


    At the Rusty Anchor Bar, Cameron found Benjamin from the Rond family and Jaime from the McCoy family already there. True to form, Ashley was runningte, even though she was the one asking for a favor.


    Benjamin and Jaime waved him over with enthusiasm. "Cameron, over here."


    As Cameron joined them, Benjamin, eager to dive into the discussion, poured him


    a drink. "Cameron, what''s your take on this Stewart family feud?"


    Cameron replied in aid-back manner, "Let''s just see how it all ys out."


    Jaime and Benjamin were baffled by Cameron''s nonchnt attitude. Jaime didn''t hold back, "Ashley''s been our friend since forever, like family. We''ve all had each other''s backs over the years. If we don''t support her now, it wouldn''t sit right."


    Cameron asked, "Have you thought about what we stand to lose or gain by backing her?"


    Benjamin shrugged it off. "What''s there to lose? Lincoln''s been out of the picture for over two decades and just woke up. He probably doesn''t even know the business scene in the Capitnd is taking wild bets. Honestly, he''s just full of himself and doesn''t have a handle on reality. The first branch is definitely going to win."


    Jaime nodded, "Yeah, Benjamin''s spot on. That''s why the McCoy family is backing the first branch. If Ashley pulls through, she won''t overlook us."


    Cameron pressed further, "Are you that sure the second branch doesn''t stand a chance?"


    Benjamin dismissed it, "Lincoln''s just a sickly guy, hardly a threat. Nathalie? She''s just a girl who can make a few dresses. In business, she''s still green. Why worry about her?"


    Suddenly, a slow p echoed through the bar.


    They all turned towards the sound and saw a young woman seated with her back to them in a booth. Her silhouette was all grace and elegance, with her long hair flowing down her back, giving off an air of sophistication.


    Seated beside her were two


    incredibly handsome young men. The guy on the left had gentle features and a yful smile that suggested a mix of mischief and self-assuredness. The one on the right had a stern face that seemed tésuggest ack of development, as if he were a bit slow.


    "Who''s that?” Benjamin stood up, curiosity piqued.


    When Nathalie turned around, her face, made striking by exquisite makeup, was breathtakingly beautiful almost intimidatingly so Anyone who caught her gaze would be drawn into her eyes, which seemed innocent yet carried an undercurrent of sadness and cleverness.


    "A gamble with one family is a gamble with a few. Do you dare to ce a bet with me?" Nathalie smirked, her eyebrows arching with a touch of mocking disdain.