Chapter 381
Chapter 381:
“That’s precisely why,” Victoria cut in. “I’ve been given time I didn’t expect to have. I don’t intend to spend it in board meetings and conference calls.” She reached across the desk and turned several pages in the document. “Keep reading.”
Camille’s eyes widened further as she scanned the text. “You’re naming me as your successor. And your heir.” She looked up again, momentarily speechless. “Everything? The company, your estate, all of it?”
“Yes.” Victoria’s tone allowed no argument. “You’ve proven yourself worthy of it, in every way that matters. The board will resist, of course. They’ll say you’re too young, too inexperienced.” A thin smile crossed her face. “They once said the same about me.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Camille whispered.
“Say you’ll accept,” Victoria’s voice softened slightly. “Say you’ll take what I built and make it your own, as you were meant to.”
Camille stood and walked to the window, needing space to process the magnitude of what Victoria was offering. When she turned back, her face showed not just gratitude but understanding.
“This isn’t just about me, is it?” she asked. “It’s about what you want for yourself.”
Victoria felt a flicker of surprise at being so transparently read. “Perhaps.”
Camille smiled. “What will you do? With these years you’ve been given?”
For the first time in their conversation, Victoria smiled fully. “Whatever I want. Travel, perhaps. See the places I’ve only visited for business. Read books that aren’t financial reports.” She looked again at Sophia’s photograph. “Make peace with old ghosts.”
“You’ve earned it,” Camille said simply.
Victoria studied the young woman before her—once broken, now rebuilt into something stronger than before. Her greatest project, in many ways. And her greatest gift to the world.
“I built this company to prove something,” Victoria said, more to herself than to Camille. “To prove I was strong enough, smart enough, ruthless enough. I no longer need that proof.”
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She pressed a button on her desk, and her assistant entered with a tray of tea. The ritual of pouring gave Victoria a moment to collect herself. When they each held a cup, she raised hers in a small toast.
“To unexpected time,” she said.
“And making it count,” Camille added.
They drank in companionable silence. Outside, the afternoon light began to shift toward evening, painting Manhattan’s skyline in shades of gold.
“The press will speculate wildly, of course,” Victoria said finally. “About my health, about why I’m stepping down.”
“Let them,” Camille replied. “We know the truth.”
Victoria nodded, satisfied with the answer. “The announcement goes out tomorrow. Frederick has prepared statements for both of us.” She paused. “Are you ready for this?”
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