Chapter 181
Chapter 181:
“The board won’t see it that way,” Camille warned.
“The board will see it however I tell them to see it,” Victoria replied with steel in her voice. “I still hold controlling interest.” She stood, moving to the window. “The question isn’t what the board thinks. It’s what you two think. Is this relationship real? Or is it merely a distraction, a moment of weakness during a stressful time?”
Camille looked at Alexander, finding his eyes already on her, warm and certain.
“It’s real,” Alexander said, his gaze never leaving Camille’s face.
“Yes,” Camille agreed quietly. “It’s real.”
Victoria nodded, as if confirming something she had already known. “Then fight for it. Together.” She turned back to face them. “Tonight, you will attend the Hamilton Foundation Gala. Together. Arriving openly as a couple. No shame, no apologies.”
Camille felt her heartbeat quicken. The Hamilton Gala was guaranteed to attract press and attention.
“Before that,” Victoria continued, “you will hold a press conference. Together. You will confirm your relationship, explain that while it is relatively new, it is genuine. You will address the financial allegations directly, announcing that both companies will provide evidence of their falsity within twenty-four hours.”
The strategy was bold, unexpected, and classic Victoria Kane. Instead of hiding, they would meet the attack head-on, turning vulnerability into strength.
“What about Rose and Herod?” Camille asked. “They won’t stop with this.”
“No, they won’t,” Victoria agreed. “But by taking control of this narrative, you buy time to identify their next move. And you deny them what they truly want: to see you fractured, separated, weakened.”
She gathered her papers. “The board meeting begins in thirty minutes. I will handle them. You two prepare for the press conference at four o’clock. That gives the evening news cycle time to pick it up before the gala.”
As she moved toward the door, Victoria paused. “One more thing. This relationship—while I don’t object to its existence—I expect it to strengthen both of you, not distract you. Rose and Herod targeted it because they believed it would divide your focus, create vulnerability. Prove them wrong.”
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With that, she left, the door closing firmly behind her.
For a moment, Camille and Alexander sat in silence. Then Alexander reached for Camille’s hand.
“She’s right,” he said simply.
“About which part?”
“All of it. Especially proving Rose and Herod wrong.” His fingers tightened around hers. “They want to use what we have against us. So instead, we use it as strength.”
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