She watched Adam Jones's face turn inexplicably ugly with a smile, her heart filled with immeasurable joy.
Just then, her phone began to ring—an unexpected call flashing on Elly Campbell's screen.
"James Campbell?"
Elly's brows furrowed in distaste, her eyes instantly showing an unmistakable hint of disgust and rejection.
Her father, who would never reach out to her without cause, was undoubtedly not bearing good news with this sudden call.
Answering the phone with an expressionless face, she said, "CEO Campbell, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
The cool tone and formality of her address caught the person on the other end off guard for a few seconds, "Elly, you've been back in the country for several days now—is there any chance you have time to have a meal with Dad?"
This request, which would seem perfectly normal to anyone else, elicited a trace of mockery in Elly's eyes.
Although she had no interest in dining with James Campbell, curiosity led her to accept the offer.
"Alright, where?"
"South Garden Hotel."
"Hmm, got it."
Not giving James Campbell the chance to say more, she hung up and turned her gaze to Adam Jones, who still hadn't left, and said, "President Jones, please excuse me."
Adam Jones looked at her, and as he caught her guarded look, his lips curved slightly and he said, "Turns out it's my father-in-law inviting us to dinner; you don't mind if I come along, do you, wife?"
Despite phrasing it as a question to Elly, he didn't give her a chance to refuse. He had already opened the car door and settled himself comfortably in the passenger seat.
Elly's face turned an ashen color with anger, "Adam Jones, can you be any more shameless?"
"I can."
Adam's natural response came as he lazily let his gaze fall on Elly's flushed cheeks and said, "If you keep refusing me, I'll be happy to show you just how generous I can be."
Elly was so angry she could barely speak, glaring at him through clenched teeth for a long moment before finally opting to compromise; after all, making a scene in a busy hospital would do her no favors.
Adam Jones, having not seen each other for four years, appeared not to have changed in any other way, but his skin had apparently thickened enough to manufacture bulletproof vests for the Ministry of Defense.
Starting the car, she didn't want to waste any more words with Adam Jones and drove straight to the South Garden Hotel.
Seeing that Elly didn't continue to insist on him getting out of the car, the corners of Adam's mouth curled up contentedly.
In four years, he had never felt as at ease as he did at this moment.
South Garden Hotel—
Elly didn't know why James Campbell would formally invite her to such a place, especially since their father-daughter relationship was far from good.
After four years without a meeting, the term 'estranged' was an even more appropriate description of their relationship.
Adam took it upon himself to park the car for her, which she didn't mind given the free valet service. She tossed him the keys and went straight inside without waiting for him.
"Miss Campbell, this way please, CEO Campbell is already waiting for you."
The waiter guided Elly to a quiet spot near the corner of the restaurant.
There was a girl of similar age sitting next to James Campbell, and Elly's pupils narrowed thoughtfully.
Who was this girl? Surely she wasn't another of James Campbell's mistresses?
The mistresses were getting younger and younger; James Campbell was quite the achiever.
Elly's eyes brimmed with undisguised contempt as she walked directly to James Campbell and sat down.
"CEO Campbell, speak up, what do you want?"
Elly's attitude was consistently cold from start to finish.
James Campbell's face registered discomfort, but he did harbor some fear of Elly. Even after not seeing her for four years, that fear had not lessened.