Chapter 292

Chapter 292:

Camille tried to focus on Victoria’s words, but her attention kept returning to the ballroom doors, the kitchen entrance, the service corridors. Where had the mysterious server gone? What was she planning?

And then, as Victoria concluded her speech to thunderous applause, Camille saw her. Not the server this time. A woman in a green evening gown, her dark hair pulled back in an elegant twist, standing near the exit. For a split second, their eyes met across the crowded room.

Rose.

Despite the distance, despite the subtle changes to her appearance, Camille knew her sister instantly. The recognition hit her like a physical blow.

Rose smiled, a small, knowing smile, then turned and disappeared through the exit.

Camille stood, heart pounding. “Alexander!” she called, but he was already moving toward the exit, security personnel following.

Victoria returned to the table, flushed with the success of her speech but clearly exhausted. “What’s wrong?” she asked, seeing Camille’s face.

“Rose is here,” Camille said quietly, not wanting to cause panic. “I just saw her.”

Victoria’s expression hardened. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Victoria reached for her clutch purse, removing a small phone. “I had hoped we wouldn’t need this,” she said, pressing a single button. “But I came prepared.” Within moments, additional security personnel entered the ballroom, positioning themselves near all exits and around their table. The head of Victoria’s private security team approached.

“The building is being locked down, Ms. Kane,” he said quietly. “No one leaves until we find her.”

Camille looked around at the guests, still enjoying their drinks and conversation as the orchestra began playing for dancing. “We can’t cause a panic.”

“We won’t,” Victoria assured her. “The security teams will handle this discreetly.” But Camille couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Rose wouldn’t show herself without a reason. Without a plan.

“She wanted me to see her,” Camille realized aloud. “She wanted me to know she was here.”

“Why?” Victoria asked.

Before Camille could answer, Alexander returned, his expression grim.

“She’s gone,” he reported. “Security footage shows her leaving the building two minutes ago. But that’s not all.” He lowered his voice further. “The missing server was found unconscious in a storage closet. Her uniform is gone.”

Camille scanned the crowd, looking for any staff member who seemed out of place. “She has someone else inside.”

“We’re checking everyone now,” Alexander assured her.

Victoria touched Camille’s arm. “We should leave. It’s not safe.”

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