Chapter 202
Chapter 202:
Margaret moved forward next, her eyes asking the same silent question. Camille permitted another quick embrace, more formal than the one with her father.
“We’re proud of you,” her mother whispered. “So proud of who you’ve become.”
Victoria watched the exchanges with an unreadable expression before extending her hand to Richard. “Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Lewis. Mrs. Lewis.”
The formality of the gesture underscored the vast gulf between Camille’s old life and her new one. Victoria, elegant, powerful, unyielding, stood in stark contrast to the wealthy but flawed parents who had raised her.
As they stepped outside, Alexander’s hand found the small of her back. “Are you alright?” he asked quietly.
“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly.
Victoria moved ahead of them. “Take her home, Alexander,” she instructed as she reached the car. “She’s had quite enough family drama for one evening.”
As they settled into the car, Alexander took Camille’s hand, his fingers intertwining with hers in silent support.
The car pulled away, carrying her from her past toward her future. In the backseat, Camille sat between two pillars of her new life—Victoria on one side, Alexander on the other. Behind them, the mansion of her childhood grew smaller in the distance, neither fully reconciled nor fully abandoned.
Progress and wounds. Beginnings and endings. The evening had offered both, leaving Camille suspended between what had been and what might yet be.
Hannah Zhao stared at her computer screen, the blue light reflecting off her glasses as she analyzed access logs to the Phoenix Grid’s secure database.
“I found it,” she said as Camille approached with coffee. “The leak in our team.”
Camille set down the cups, suddenly alert. “Show me.”
Hannah displayed a series of highlighted entries. “Someone’s been accessing our secure servers between 2:00 and 3:00 AM three times weekly. Always on the same nights, always looking at Grid specifications, safety protocols, and sequence data.”
“Do you know who?” Camille asked, leaning closer.
Hannah nodded grimly. “I installed a silent tracker last week.” She opened another window showing screenshots. “It’s Walsh.”
“The maintenance technician who installed the modified circuits?” Camille’s eyes narrowed.
“The same. We were watching his physical access, but overlooked his digital footprint.” Hannah pulled up financial records. “He’s still receiving payments from an offshore account.”
“Rose,” Camille said, the name like a curse.
“I’ve prepared termination paperwork,” Hannah continued. “Security can escort him out today.”
Camille didn’t respond immediately, her expression shifting from anger to calculation.
“Don’t fire him,” she said finally.
“What?” Hannah looked up, startled. “But he’s leaking critical information!”
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