Chapter 150
Chapter 150:
“Victoria, the company needs to—”
“No.” The word came sharp and clear. “If Rose and Herod… learn I’m weakened, they’ll accelerate their plans. I need time… to prepare.”
Camille understood immediately. In business, as in war, any sign of vulnerability would be exploited mercilessly. If word got out that Victoria Kane was hospitalized with cancer, Kane Industries’ stock would plummet, investors would panic, and their enemies would strike.
“Alexander already knows something’s wrong,” Camille said quietly.
Victoria nodded slightly. “Tell him… the truth. No one else. Not even… the board.”
“The Grid,” Victoria said after a moment. “Section B?”
“Online,” Camille assured her. “Everything worked perfectly. No sign of interference.”
Victoria nodded slightly, satisfaction briefly overtaking the pain in her expression. “Good. But they’ll… still move against us. You must be… ready.” Even now, lying in a hospital bed, Victoria’s mind remained fixed on the battle ahead.
“Don’t worry about Rose and Herod,” Camille said. “Alexander and I will handle them. You need to focus on getting better.”
Victoria’s lips curved in what might have been a smile. “Will get better… but recovery takes time. Need you to… lead in my absence.”
Her eyes drifted closed momentarily, then opened with visible effort. “There’s a file… in my personal safe. Combination… Sophia’s birthday. Instructions for… everything. Contingency plans.”
Camille nodded, filing the information away. “I’ll take care of everything until you’re back.”
“I know,” Victoria said, her voice growing fainter as the medication pulled her toward sleep. “That’s why… I chose you.”
A nurse entered quietly, checking Victoria’s vital signs. “She needs to rest now,” she told Camille gently.
Victoria’s hand tightened on Camille’s. “Remember… tell no one,” she murmured, already drifting under the influence of medication.
“I promise,” Camille said softly.
After the nurse left, Camille sat in silence, watching Victoria’s chest rise and fall with each breath.
The formidable woman who had transformed her from a broken victim into a force to be reckoned with now looked strangely vulnerable against the sterile white sheets.
Her phone vibrated. Alexander, again. She glanced at the screen. Need to talk. Urgent. Something’s happening with Kane Industries stock.
Camille looked from the phone to Victoria’s sleeping face. The battle was still raging, and now she would have to lead it temporarily. Rose and Herod were making their move, just as Victoria had predicted.
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