Chapter 281
Chapter 281:
“I’ll go over everything again,” he promised. “Triple-check every detail.”
“Thank you.” She paused. “I love you, you know.”
The simple statement caught him off guard. “I love you too. Are you okay?”
“Yes. Just… be careful. I’ll see you soon.”
After they hung up, Alexander stood motionless for a moment, Camille’s words echoing in his mind. The fear in her voice had been subtle but unmistakable. Not fear for herself, but for him. For everyone she loved.
With renewed determination, Alexander turned to the hotel’s head of security. “I want to see the complete staff list. Everyone who will be in this building tonight. From the head chef to the parking attendants.”
“Yes, sir. Right away.”
As the man hurried off, Alexander’s phone buzzed with a text from Stefan: “Rose always has a backup plan. Always.”
Alexander texted back: “So do I.”
But even as he returned to reviewing security protocols, a nagging doubt crept into his mind. What if it wasn’t enough? What if Rose had found a way around all their precautions?
What if Camille’s nightmare was a warning?
Two hours later, Camille stood in her apartment, staring at the gown laid out on her bed. The deep blue silk seemed to shimmer even in the dim light of her bedroom. A gown fit for the hostess of the most prestigious charity event of the year.
So why did looking at it fill her with dread?
Victoria sat in the armchair by the window, watching Camille with concern. “We can still cancel,” she said quietly. “No one would blame us, given the circumstances.”
“No,” Camille turned away from the dress. “The hospital needs this funding. And I won’t let Rose take this away from us too.”
Victoria didn’t look convinced. “Security reports just came in. Alexander has transformed the Grand Plaza into a military zone. But even he admits there are vulnerabilities—staff changes, deliveries, a hundred small details that could be exploited.”
LⱯtєѕτ cнαρτєrs ιn g𝒶l𝑛ovєlѕ.𝒸𝑜𝑚
“Stefan is helping,” Camille reminded her. “He knows how Rose thinks. What she might try.”
“Stefan lost to Rose once before,” Victoria pointed out. “When he chose her over you. His judgment isn’t infallible.”
Camille sank onto the edge of the bed, smoothing the silk of the gown with her fingertips. “I had another nightmare last night.”
Victoria’s expression softened. “About the gala?”
“Yes.” Camille looked up, meeting Victoria’s gaze. “It felt so real. So… inevitable. Like watching a movie where you know the ending but can’t change it.”
“Dreams aren’t prophecies,” Victoria said firmly. “They’re just our fears taking shape in our sleep.”
“I know. But this feeling won’t go away.” Camille pressed a hand to her chest. “It’s like a weight right here. A certainty that something terrible is coming.”
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.
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