Novel Sweet
47
47
A woman in a pink miniskirt approached Camila with a smirk of disdain on her face. Camila’s brows furrowed, a sense of wariness in her heart.
“I didn’t expect to see you here,” the woman said as she reached Camila, glancing at the man beside her with malicious intent. “Boyfriend?”
“Don’t know him,” Camila replied coolly.
“So, now you do?” The man extended his hand, smiling.
“Sorry, I’m working, and I’m not interested in acting,” Camila said, not taking his hand.
“How ungrateful!” The man, his hand still hanging in the air, left in a huff, embarrassed and angry.
Tabitha, who is this?” someone asked.
S
Tabitha curled her lips into a sneer. “Her? She’s my half–sister,” she said, looking at Camila. “Is your mom still running that shop?”
Everyone looked over, their eyes filled with mockery.
Tabitha’s family owned a chain of grocery stores throughout the state. Even though online shopping had caused the closure of several stores in recent years, they remained significant players in the industry. Tabitha was often affectionately called the “Grocery Princess.”
Camila, wanting nothing to do with her, turned to leave but was stopped by Tabitha. “What’s going on. Can’t even exchange a few words with
your sister?”
“What’s there to talk about? How your mom became the other woman?” Camila retorted.
Furious, Tabitha grabbed and tore off the jacket draped over Camila. “It’s those who aren’t loved who are the home wreckers!”
Camila just smiled and picked up Connor’s jacket, dusting it off.
DA
The bartender tapped on the counter, displeased. “Ms. Camila is Ms. Rita’s guest. Show respect.”
“Ah… so she’s some CEO’s secretary,” Tabitha said with a meaningful laugh. NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
“No wonder she doesn’t want to act. Sticking with the CEO must be lucrative.”
“Exactly. Why bother showing face in the entertainment world to earn a hard living when you can have it easy?”
“I know a few friends who might be interested in you.”
Their words grew more direct and offensive, barely stopping short of accusing her of being kept by her CEO like a sugar baby.
Camila watched them with a cold laugh, her eyes revealing nothing but disdain. Just as she was about to speak, someone took her by the arm. Camila turned and saw Rita, who had arrived unnoticed.
“Who’s interested in Camila?” Rita’s eyes swept over them, her smile tinged with a chill.
Suddenly, everyone fell silent, leaving only the bar music playing. It was no secret in the circles that Rita was Ray’s granddaughter. Offending her was akin to provoking the Passos family, a powerful clan with global influence and stakes in the entertainment industry. “Why are you so quiet? I thought you all had a lot to say. Camila is my friend, my cousin’s assistant. Since when did it become your place to judge?”
“Ms. Rita, it’s a misunderstanding,” Tabitha said, forcing a smile.
“Misunderstanding?” Rita’s gaze pinned Tabitha, sending shivers down her spine.
“Camila is my sister. We were just chatting, right?” Tabitha looked desperately at Camila.
“I don’t have a sister, Camila straightened her dress and smiled.
Immediately, the crowd around Tabitha stepped back, leaving her isolated. Tabitha’s face flushed with embarrassment, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her skirt.
Rita chuckled lightly. “Since Camila doesn’t know you, you’re not welcome here, and the Passos family doesn’t welcome you either.”