Chapter 72

Camille's point of view

I stood in Victoria's office, staring at the meticulously crafted guest list on the desk between us. Names neatly typed in three columns, people whose lives would forever change in exactly two weeks' time. Rose.

"Are you certain about this?" Victoria asked, her voice carrying none of its usual commanding certainty. "Once we take this step, there's no going back."

I traced my finger down the list, stopping

at Richard and Margaret Lewis. The parents who had raised me, then forgotten me when Rose's manipulation had proven more compelling than their love.

"I'm certain," I said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "It's time for everyone to know the truth."

After two years of careful planning, of strategic destruction of watching from the shadows as Rose's empire crumbled piece by methodical piece, the moment had arrived for the final revelation. Camille Lewis wa Victoria studied me, her sharp eyes missing nothing. "And your motivation? Is this

about justice, or is it personal satisfaction?"

The question hung between us, more significant than it might seem. For

two years, Victoria had guided my transformation from broken victim to powerful avenger with one consistent warning: emotion clouds judgment. Strategic revenge required cold calculation, not heated passion. "Both," I admitted, honesty winning over performance for perhaps the first time since my rebirth. "I want justice. But I also want to see their faces when they realize what's happened. Who's been behind their des Something like approval flickered in Victoria's eyes. "At least you're honest about it. That's progress."

I moved to the windows overlooking Manhattan's skyline. Somewhere in that sprawling city, Rose was hiding in her penthouse, her fashion empire destroyed, her reputation in tatters, her fiancé gone, her godfat "Alexander thinks I should reconsider," I said, still facing the window.

Victoria's reflection appeared

he now? And what

Rose power she currently doesn't have. Knowledge of who's been orchestrating her downfall." I turned to face Victoria. "He thinks it's

Rose was dangerous, manipulative, ruthless. Giving her information was giving her a weapon. But something

some victories need to be witnessed to be complete" I said finally. "Some

11

Chapter 72

we'll proceed. The Phoenix Gala, two weeks

returned from the dead," I finished, a

hand paused

identity is revealed, there will be questions. Investigations. Legal

of course. The police would want statements. Lawyers would raise questions about identity fraud, about insurance claims processed after my “death,"

confidently than I felt. "The truth about Rose hiring someone to run me off the road will redirect most of the attention. And you have enough legal influence to handle the rest." Victoria's slight smile acknowledged the truth of this. With her resources and connections, any legal complications

if not

her penetrating gaze. "After the reveal. After the satisfaction of seeing their

question hit harder than I expected. For two years, every thought, every action, every decision had been filtered through the lens of revenge. I had become Camille Kane for the sole purpose of destroying F "I don't

before me. "Two years ago, I found you in that parking garage. Beaten. Bleeding. Those men Rose had hired to 'teach you

her about Stefan. Victoria appearing like some avenging angel, her driver scattering my attacke "I offered

chose transformation," I

victimhood. Strategy over

reminded me. "A way to explain your disappearance while giving us time for your recovery,

search parties. No desperate appeals from my parents. No reward offered for information. Just a tasteful memorial service and life continuing for everyone who should have cared

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