Chapter 1434

"A woman?!" Maria exclaimed, startled.

"What woman? Has Cameron found someone new? Hold on, didn't you say your brother-in-law loves your sister so much he vowed never to find another? It's been years. Why is he suddenly looking for a new woman?"

Fabian, already irritated, snapped, "I don't know. Maybe she's a colleague, or maybe she's just asking a favor. I didn't see them together!" His fluster stemmed from Cameron's avoidance; the unanswered calls and texts were ominous. Hadn't Cameron said everything was going well? His confusion deepened, amplified by his daughter's earlier behavior. "Perhaps it's a good thing you didn't meet him," Maria offered.

"What do you mean?" Fabian demanded impatiently.

He thought, What an idiot! How can it be a good thing? If I lose this bid, I won't get any major project investments! He'd boasted about this project's potential profits, attracting investors. Failure meant no investments, a broken capital chain, unrepaid debts, and bankruptcy. The thought was unbearable.

"I have a question," Maria said softly, settling beside him. "Is Cameron simply avoiding you, or is he avoiding everyone?"

"You don't know how bad his temper is. He obviously doesn't want to see anyone," he scoffed. He was both afraid and resentful. Cameron, at the pinnacle of success, couldn't help his own family? His pride in honesty seemed misplaced; a little help would have made Fabian rich and powerful, eliminating his reliance on investors.

"Exactly!" Maria agreed. "It means he's not deliberately avoiding you; it's just one of his moods. Didn't he agree to give you this project last time?"

"Y-Yes!" Fabian admitted, feeling a pang of guilt. He wasn't entirely sure.

"See?" Maria pressed on, ignoring his hesitation. "Cameron's always been rigid. He's not adaptable, but he keeps his word. Since he promised the project, don't worry. He'll deliver. Maybe he's avoiding you because the bidding is imminent. He doesn't want to appear suspicious. Think about it: you're his brother-in-law. If you're seen together and you win, people will gossip. He's avoiding contact to mitigate that risk."

Fabian's frown eased. Her explanation resonated. Anger yielded to relief, and he smiled.

"I never thought my wife was so insightful. You're such a good wife. I'm so lucky!"

"Hey!" she playfully shoved him. "Have I ever not been a good wife? You just don't appreciate me! And I understand your brother-in-law too well. It's not surprising if he's looking for another woman after all these years. He's still handsome, high-ranking, and desirable. With Tasia…it's not impossible he wants a son."

"Listen to yourself..." Fabian sighed, uninterested in her speculation.

"I just called you a good wife, don't make me take it back! If Cameron finds a new woman, will he still keep me in mind?"