Chapter 384

Chapter 384:

“Second, twenty percent of annual profits will be dedicated to environmental remediation in areas where your ships operate.” Another nod, more hesitant.

“Third, the company will create a scholarship foundation for children of maritime workers, with particular emphasis on education for girls in developing regions.”

Stefan’s frown deepened, not in disagreement but in confusion. He clearly couldn’t understand why these conditions mattered to her.

“And finally,” Camille said, meeting his gaze directly, “your family estate, the property that has been in Rodriguez hands for four generations, will be returned to you, with the provision that the groundskeeper and household staff who lost their positions be offered their jobs back at increased wages.”

Stefan’s mask finally cracked. Something that might have been tears brightened his eyes before he blinked them away.

“Why?” he asked again, softer this time. A question not for the CEO of Kane Industries, but for the woman he had once betrayed.

The room fell silent. Everyone sensed the undercurrents flowing beneath the business discussion. Camille felt Alexander’s hand find hers beneath the table, a small gesture of support.

“Because I choose to,” she answered simply.

Stefan held her gaze for a long moment, then nodded once. “I accept the conditions.”

“All of them?” she pressed.

“Yes. All of them.”

The lawyers took over then, reviewing details, explaining terms, pointing out places requiring signatures. The formality of it created a welcome buffer, allowing Camille to retreat behind professionalism again.

When Stefan signed the final page an hour later, his hand trembled slightly. Was it weakness from his injury, Camille wondered, or emotion? Perhaps both.

“The board will announce the arrangement tomorrow morning,” she said, closing the meeting. “I suggest your PR team prepares a statement.”

The Rodriguez team gathered their papers, still looking stunned at their unexpected victory. Stefan lingered as others filed out, clearly wanting to speak privately, but Alexander stayed firmly at Camille’s side.

“I don’t know how to thank you,” Stefan said finally.

“Don’t thank me,” Camille replied. “Just honor the agreement.”

Stefan nodded, his eyes moving between her and Alexander. “I will. You have my word.”

An odd heaviness hung in the air as he left, not the bitterness of their past, but something different. The weight of a chapter truly ending, perhaps.

When the door closed behind him, Alexander finally spoke. “That was quite a performance.”

“It wasn’t a performance.”

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