Chapter 272
Chapter 272:
After Victoria left, Alexander pulled Camille into his arms. “Are you sure about this? Really sure?”
She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. “Yes. I’m tired of waiting for Rose to attack. Tired of wondering where she’ll strike next.” She looked up at him, her eyes clear. “It’s time to end this. On my terms, not hers.”
Alexander brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll keep you safe. No matter what.”
“I know.” Camille’s voice was firm, confident. “That’s why I’m not afraid. We face her together.”
He kissed her gently. “Together.”
As Alexander left to begin working on the security plans, Camille returned to the window. The city stretched before her, glittering in the afternoon sun. From this height, the people below looked tiny, fragile. Once, she had felt that way—small and breakable in a world too big and harsh. Now, she stood tall, unafraid.
Victoria’s voice came through on the intercom. “Camille, can you come to my office? The security team is here.”
“On my way,” she replied.
Camille took one last look at the view from her window. She thought of how far she had come from that night in the parking garage. How much she had built from the ashes of her old life. The Phoenix Grid. Her position at Kane Industries. Her relationship with Alexander. Her reconciliation with her parents. Rose had tried to take everything from her, again and again. But each time, Camille had emerged stronger.
“Not this time, Rose,” she whispered to herself. “This time, I’m ready for you.”
She straightened her shoulders and headed to Victoria’s office, where Alexander waited with the security team. They had a gala to prepare for. And this time, Camille would be the one setting the trap, not walking into one.
The door closed behind her with a soft click of finality. The hunt was about to begin.
Rose paced the tiny motel room, her expensive boots wearing a path into the cheap carpet. The walls seemed to close in on her, yellowed from decades of cigarette smoke, spotted with water stains. How had it come to this? She, Rose Lewis, hiding in this filthy place while her sister lived in luxury.
The TV blared the noon news. Rose turned up the volume as the words “Kane Industries” filled the room. “The annual Phoenix Foundation charity gala will proceed as planned Friday night, despite recent security concerns,” the reporter announced. “Camille Kane released a statement today confirming that the event, which raises funds for the Children’s Hospital, will not be postponed.”
The camera cut to Camille standing at a podium, looking confident and polished. “We refuse to let fear dictate our actions,” she said, her voice strong. “The children who benefit from this gala need our support now more than ever.”
Rose hurled her coffee mug at the TV screen. It shattered, the coffee splashing across Camille’s face.
“Liar!” Rose screamed. “Fake! Thief!”
Her whole body trembled with rage. Once again, Camille was playing the hero—the perfect daughter, the generous benefactor—the role that should have been Rose’s.
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