Chapter 270
Chapter 270:
Camille sank into her chair, trying to process this news. “Is Preston dead?”
“No. But it’s close. He’s in intensive care, heavily guarded.” Alexander sat on the edge of her desk. “The FBI thinks Rose shot him to keep him from talking. He was about to tell them everything—about her involvement in the bombings.”
“Yes.”
Camille stared at her hands, noticing they were perfectly steady despite the storm inside her. Three years ago, news of Rose’s latest violence would have shaken her. Now, it just confirmed what she already knew: her sister was dangerous, desperate, and would stop at nothing.
“So Rose is on the run,” Camille said. “With the FBI hunting her.”
“Yes. But that makes her more dangerous, not less.” Alexander reached for Camille’s hand. “She has nothing left to lose now.”
Before Camille could respond, the door opened again. Victoria Kane swept in, her face pale but determined. Despite her recent surgery, she moved with purpose, though Camille noticed she leaned slightly on her cane.
“You’ve told her?” Victoria asked Alexander.
“Just now,” he confirmed.
Victoria turned to Camille. “We need to postpone the charity gala.”
“What? No.” Camille stood. “Everything is ready. The donors are confirmed. The hospital is counting on us.”
“Rose is out there,” Victoria said sharply. “She’s armed. She’s desperate. And she wants to destroy you.”
“She’s always wanted to destroy me,” Camille replied, her voice steady. “That hasn’t changed.”
“What’s changed is that she’s shot a man three times and is now running from the FBI,” Victoria countered. “She’s crossed a line, Camille. She’s proven she’s willing to kill.”
The three of them fell silent, the weight of Victoria’s words hanging in the air. Camille moved back to the window, looking out at the city she’d helped rebuild after Rose’s attacks. Her city now.
“I won’t hide,” she said finally. “I won’t cancel the gala because I’m afraid of Rose.”
Victoria sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. “This isn’t about fear. It’s about common sense. Basic safety.”
“It’s about sending a message,” Camille insisted, turning to face her mentor. “If we cancel the gala, Rose wins. She’ll know she can disrupt our lives, make us run and hide, anytime she wants.”
“Better disrupted than dead,” Victoria said bluntly.
Alexander watched them both, his face thoughtful. “What if we went ahead with the gala, but with increased security? My team plus Kane Industries security. The FBI might even provide protection if we tell them Rose might appear.”
Victoria shook her head. “Too risky. Rose knows this event is important to Camille. She’ll see it as the perfect opportunity to strike.”
“Good,” Camille said, surprising them both. “Let her come.”
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