Chapter 169
Chapter 169:
For the first time since Victoria had found her in that parking garage eighteen months ago, Camille allowed herself to imagine a future defined not by what she was running from, but by what she was running toward. Not revenge, but creation. Not power, but purpose. Not isolation, but connection.
“Four hours wasn’t enough,” she said softly.
Alexander’s arms tightened around her. “No,” he agreed. “But it’s a start.”
As the yacht turned back toward Manhattan, the city skyline appearing once more in the distance, Camille felt something settling inside her—not an ending, but a beginning.
The Kane Industries conference center buzzed with tension as stockholders filed into the auditorium. Camille watched from the wings, studying the anxious faces of investors and board members gathering for the emergency meeting. Hannah Zhao approached with a tablet.
“Everything’s running perfectly. All Grid systems are nominal.”
“And the independent assessment?” Camille asked.
“Just arrived.” Hannah handed her a sealed envelope. “The Grid exceeds safety parameters by significant margins.”
Camille nodded, scanning the room again. “Is Herod here?”
“Fifth row center, moving toward the front.”
She spotted him, confident and poised, as he greeted several board members. The stage manager appeared, signaling they were ready.
Camille straightened Victoria’s midnight blue jacket, tailored to fit her perfectly. Wearing it felt like carrying a piece of Victoria’s strength.
“He wants you to lose your temper,” Hannah reminded her. “To appear emotional, unstable.”
“I know exactly what he wants,” Camille replied. “And he won’t get it.” She stepped onto the stage, heels clicking against the polished floor as she moved to the podium.
Lᴉtєst ϲhαptєrs in g𝓪lnov𝑒l𝑆.𝗰o𝓂
“Good morning,” she began, her voice steady. “Thank you for attending this emergency meeting. As interim CEO during Victoria Kane’s recovery, I felt it necessary to address certain rumors regarding the Phoenix Grid project.” She paused, finding Herod’s face in the crowd. “Before we begin, Ms. Kane’s doctors report excellent progress in her recovery from exhaustion. She expects to return to full duties within two weeks.”
A murmur ran through the audience. Victoria’s collapse had already affected their stock price, dropping it three percent.
“The Phoenix Grid represents Kane Industries’ commitment to revolutionizing urban power distribution,” Camille continued, displaying performance metrics. “Power efficiency has exceeded projections by twelve percent. Maintenance costs…”
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