Chapter 125

Chapter 125:

As she reached for mugs in the cabinet, a movement in the garden caught her eye. Camille froze, staring out the window. Nothing but shifting shadows from the trees. Yet something felt… wrong. The hairs on her arms stood up.

She moved away from the window, suddenly aware of how exposed she was in the lit kitchen. Victoria’s training kicked in automatically. Assess the threat. Minimize vulnerability. Create advantage.

The kettle began to whistle. Camille switched it off and backed toward the pantry. Just as her fingers found the light switch, the kitchen door swung open.

“Security sweep is clear.”

Camille nearly collapsed with relief at the sound of Alexander’s voice. He stood in the doorway, his expression shifting from alert to concerned when he saw her face.

“What happened?” He crossed to her in three quick strides.

“Nothing. I thought I saw something in the garden. Just shadows.” Camille tried to smile. “The nightmares have me jumpy.”

Alexander didn’t look convinced. He moved to the window, scanning the grounds with practiced eyes. “Security has been doubled since yesterday. Victoria’s orders.”

“Why?” Camille asked, resuming her preparation of hot chocolate. “What aren’t you two telling me?”

Alexander hesitated, then joined her at the counter. “Victoria found something. She wanted to wait until the Grid corrections were complete before telling you.”

“Tell me what?” The nightmare’s lingering dread intensified. “Alexander, no more secrets.”

He nodded, taking the mug she offered. “Herod Preston has been buying Kane Industries stock through shell companies. Just over five percent so far.”

Camille stilled. “A takeover attempt?”

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“Unlikely to succeed. Victoria owns sixty percent, and I recently purchased ten percent myself.” Alexander held her gaze. “But it suggests Herod’s plans extend beyond sabotaging the Grid.”

The kitchen suddenly felt too small, too exposed. Camille wrapped her hands around her mug, seeking warmth.

“The nightmares started the same day Victoria discovered this,” she said quietly. “I didn’t know about it, but somehow I… sensed it.”

Alexander didn’t dismiss this as superstition, as most would have. “Your subconscious picks up cues your conscious mind misses. Victoria’s been tenser. Security protocols changed. Small signals.”

They moved to the breakfast nook, sitting across from each other in the dimly lit kitchen. Outside, the night pressed against the windows like a living thing.

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