Chapter 7 - The Cornered Rat
Camille knew she was backed into a corner. She had to do something, anything, to save herself. And the only weapon she had left in her hands was attack. Her gaze landed on Evelyn. “It’s her!” Camille shouted, her finger stabbing straight toward Evelyn. “She’s the one behind all of this! She’s a spy! Someone planted her here to ruin me! She’s the one who contacted that man who called! She’s the one who set everything up to destroy me!”
Murmurs rose everywhere. Evelyn stood frozen in shock. “Ma’am,” Evelyn said, her voice gentle but steady. “I’ve only been working here for 3 days. I don’t know anything about Boston. I don’t know anything about that phone call. I didn’t even know who you were until I walked into this estate.”
Camille clenched her jaw. “She’s lying! She’s lying to all of you! Don’t believe her!” But Evelyn didn’t flinch. She simply stood there, back straight, chin lifted, eyes forward.
Gabriel stood between the two women. One side was chaos; the other was stillness. “Enough,” Gabriel said, his voice strong enough to silence the entire hall. Gabriel turned to Camille. “You won’t blame anyone else. Now you’ll answer my question. Boston. Victoria. What’s the truth?” Gabriel lifted a hand in a signal. At once, heavy footsteps sounded from every direction. The security men slammed every door shut. “No one leaves,” Gabriel said. “Not until I say so.”
Camille looked around in desperation. There was no way out. Gabriel walked toward her. He stopped less than a single step away. “Tell me,” Gabriel said. “Who is Victoria? What happened in Boston?”
“I—” Camille stammered.
“Speak,” Gabriel pressed, his voice dropping into something that sounded like a lion’s growl. “Right now.” Camille felt her knees go weak. She’d spent 5 years becoming Camille Ashford, the perfect woman. And now it was all about to shatter. Nana Teresa stood like a judge, waiting for the accused to confess her crimes.
“Please,” Camille whispered. “Not here. Not in front of everyone.”
May you like
“Here,” Gabriel said. “In front of everyone. Right now.”
Camille collapsed. Her knees struck the marble. “All right,” Camille whispered. “I’ll talk. I’ll tell you everything.”
