Overprotected By My Tsundere CEO-Chapter 694 - 435: As a CEO, I Don’t Like Being Refused
The exhibition center had a room set aside specifically for the media.
Crystal Hughes was sitting with a group of media people, her petite figure not appearing insignificant, but rather striking because of her representation of the state media and her capable, attractive image.
Camilo Nogueira entered the venue, and the first thing he saw was Crystal Hughes, seated upright and conspicuous on a chair.
She was dressed formally, meticulously groomed, with her hair neatly tied up, her expression poised without any additional emotion, as professional as everyone else present.
His gaze paused. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
— He had never seen what Crystal Hughes looked like in her work mode before.
Even though he had gathered some video materials and watched segments of her interviews, witnessing her growth year by year from youthful to mature, those never gave him such a clear and tangible feeling.
The interview was very official, with formal questions and equally formal answers; everyone was meticulous, professional, and serious.
Crystal Hughes undoubtedly integrated well into this.
She asked several questions, mainly about military drones. She had done her homework thoroughly, asking pointed questions; when her eyes met Camilo Nogueira’s, she remained calm and composed, without any hint of the deliberate avoidance she sometimes showed in private, neither humble nor arrogant.
After half an hour, the interview concluded.
The media began to leave one by one.
Crystal Hughes stood up, and while packing up her notebook, a cameraman passing by was shoved, lost his grip, and the camera slipped off his shoulder, causing him to stumble sideways, directly shoving Crystal Hughes to the ground, and the camera landed directly on her back.
"Watch out."
Someone shouted, but it was already too late.
Off guard, Crystal Hughes had no time to react; after a sharp pain in her back, she started falling to the side, quickly freeing her hands to buffer the impact as she hit the ground.
Tables and chairs around her were pushed apart, and the legs of the chairs made a screeching "creak—" sound against the floor.
"Miss Hughes."
"Are you okay?"
...
Someone called out to her, someone inquired.
An assistant nearby was discussing the subsequent schedule, Camilo Nogueira had already reached the door, but upon hearing the commotion, he turned his head and saw Crystal Hughes on the ground, his previously calm and gentle eyes changed instantly.
Crystal Hughes was on the ground, her brow slightly furrowed, one arm supporting her to get up, a noticeable scratch on her elbow. She was wearing a white shirt and a short skirt, which didn’t quite reach her knees, and she knelt on the ground with her two slender and straight long legs exposed, the hem of her skirt barely covering half her thighs.
Her companion bent over to help her up but inadvertently touched her grazed elbow, causing her to wince in pain, her face visibly going pale, making her colleague quickly release his hold in concern.
"Where are you hurt?"
"Can you stand up?"
"Is it serious?"
...
People gathered around, questioning.
Crystal Hughes exhaled a breath, said softly "It’s okay," hiding all the expressions of pain, then smiled kindly at them as she supported herself on the chair behind her to stand up.
The photographer who knocked her over was very nervous, repeatedly apologizing to her and asking about her injuries. Crystal Hughes was mindful of Andrew Hughes, not wanting to waste time, waved her hand and said "It’s not serious," and showed neither complaint nor a dark expression, allowing the guilty photographer to leave first.
Seeing that she was really fine, just a minor scratch, the people watching didn’t say much more and dispersed.
"Are you really okay?"
Her colleague packed up the equipment, frowned slightly, and looked doubtfully at Crystal Hughes.
Crystal Hughes took a careful breath, just about to walk, but as soon as she stepped forward, a pain shot through her knee, causing her to stagger and fall sideways.
A hand caught her, and half of her body fell into the man’s embrace, surrounded by a strangely familiar scent, making her startle.
"Miss Hughes."
Camilo Nogueira’s courteous voice drifted down from above, landing in Crystal Hughes’s ear, making her feel a bit dazed.
Her body tensed, Crystal Hughes swiftly pulled away, glanced up quickly, avoiding eye contact with the man, and softly said, "Sorry."
"Hughes." Her young colleague quickly came forward, worriedly calling Crystal Hughes, "It’s better to take you to a nearby clinic to have a look, at least get your injuries treated."
Then he looked up and nodded towards Camilo Nogueira, which served as a greeting.
However—
The one who responded wasn’t the yet-to-speak Crystal Hughes, but the gentle Camilo Nogueira, "There’s no need."
?
The colleague blinked, slightly stunned.
Camilo Nogueira gave him a mild glance, his gaze fell on Crystal Hughes, "I’ve already had my assistant buy them."
Colleague: ?
This CEO is so kind?
Crystal Hughes stood still, gently moved her knee, confirmed it wasn’t a bone injury, then looked at Camilo Nogueira, and in a very unfamiliar and cold tone, declined, "No need for trouble."
"What to do," Camilo Nogueira suddenly raised his hand, loosened his tie, gazing down at Crystal Hughes, and in her astonished eyes, slowly said, "We, domineering CEOs, don’t quite like being refused."
Crystal Hughes: ???
Colleague: ???
So this is your ’domineering CEO’ façade?
Camilo Nogueira remained composed, looked steadily at the colleague, and calmly spoke, "Sorry, I’m pursuing my ex-girlfriend, may I trouble you—"
And stopped.
The hidden meaning was self-evident.
"Ah!" The colleague reacted after three seconds, finally coming to his senses, licking the corner of his lips, and quickly said, "Cough, uh, Hughes, you should get your injury treated here, I’ve just remembered something at the station and have to leave first! Let’s stay in touch by phone!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he left with his equipment, disappearing without a trace.
"Camilo Nogueira, have I not made myself clear to you—"
"No." Camilo Nogueira interrupted her calmly, and in the moment Crystal Hughes was stunned, he squinted slightly, his voice lowering a little, "Explain the reason for the breakup first."
