Chapter 513
Chapter 513:
“You thought Stefan was like you,” Camille said, her voice cold with disappointment. “You thought he would use any situation to try to win me back, because that’s what you would do.”
Security guards appeared in the doorway, summoned by Camille’s call. “Ma’am? Is there a problem?”
“Mr. Pierce is leaving,” Camille said firmly. “Please escort him from the building and revoke his access credentials.”
As the security guards moved toward Alexander, he looked desperately at Camille. “Please. I came here to tell you that your father showed me false documents. I came here to warn you that someone is still trying to destroy Victoria.”
“By punching Stefan? By attacking the people trying to help us find the truth?” Camille’s voice carried more sadness than anger. “Alexander, you’ve lost the ability to distinguish between helping and hurting.”
The security guards took Alexander’s arms gently but firmly. As they led him toward the door, he called back over his shoulder: “Camille, please. Someone is manipulating all of us. The Guardian isn’t who I thought he was. You’re all in danger.”
“The only danger we’re in is from you,” Camille replied. “Stay away from us, Alexander. Stay away from me.”
After Alexander was escorted from the building, the conference room fell into stunned silence. Hannah was still holding a bag of ice against Stefan’s swollen jaw, her fingers gentle as she adjusted the cold compress.
“I’m sorry,” Stefan said quietly. “I’m sorry he hurt you by involving you in our history.”
“He didn’t hurt me,” Hannah replied. “But he hurt you, and that makes me angry.”
Camille watched their interaction with a mixture of sadness and hope. Sadness for what her marriage had become, but hope for what she saw developing between Stefan and Hannah.
“You care about him,” Camille said to Hannah. It wasn’t a question.
𝖀𝗉𝖉𝖆𝗍𝖊𝗌 𝗈𝗇ɩү 𝓰⍺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀ꞏⅽ𝗈𝗆
Hannah looked up, her cheeks flushing pink. “Yes. I do.”
“And you?” Camille asked Stefan. “How do you feel about Hannah?”
Stefan met Hannah’s eyes, his expression vulnerable despite his bruised jaw. “I feel like maybe I’m learning what healthy love looks like. Love that doesn’t require grand gestures or dramatic sacrifices. Love that grows from respect and shared purpose.”
Hannah smiled, her hand still gentle against his face. “I feel the same way.”
Camille felt tears prick her eyes, but they weren’t tears of sadness. For the first time in months, she was witnessing something pure and hopeful growing from the wreckage of recent events.
“Alexander was right about one thing,” Camille said quietly. “We are all in danger. But not from each other. From whoever has been manipulating him, whoever wants to destroy Victoria and anyone who protects her.”
Stefan nodded, wincing slightly at the movement. “Tomorrow, we trace those offshore accounts. We find out who’s really behind this.”
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