Chapter 113

Victoria Kane sat propped against white hospital pillows, her silver hair swept back

from her face in a neat chignon. Even in a hospital gown, connected to monitors that beeped rhythmically in the background, she maintained an air of command. The room, the hospital's finest pr Her lawyer, Frederick Winters, a man who had

served the Kane family for thirty years, sat in an armchair beside the bed. His silver-

rimmed glasses caught the afternoon light as he arranged documents with practiced precision.

"You're certain about this?" he asked, his voice low and measured. "The board will have questions."

Victoria's mouth thinned. "The board's questions

are not my concern, Frederick. My decision is final."

The door opened, and Camille entered, dressed in a tailored navy suit that Victoria recognized as one she had selected for her. Their eyes met, an understanding passing between them. Victoria g "Good, you're here. We can begin."

Camille glanced at Frederick, then back to Victoria. "Begin what?"

"Updating my will," Victoria answered matter-of-factly. "Please, sit."

Camille lowered herself into the chair, her movements careful, as if the ground beneath her might suddenly give way. For the past two days, she had been splitting her time between

the hospital and Kane Industries, maintaining the fiction that Victoria was simply working remotely while recovering from exhaustion. Only Alexander knew the truth, that Victoria was fighting for

"Is this rea

necessary right now?" Camille asked quietly. "The doctors said you should rest before tomorrow's procedure."

Victoria waved away her concern.

"I don't leave matters of importance to chance, Camille. You know that."

Frederick cleared his throat. "Ms. Kane has asked me to prepare a new version of her last will and testament, along with updated instructions

regarding the control of Kane Industries in the event of her... incapacitation."

Camille's fingers tightened on the armrests. "You're going to be

fine. The doctors said the procedure has an excellent success rate."

"Of course,"

Victoria said, though something in her eyes suggested she was less certain

than her words implied. "But prudence dictates preparation, regardless of probability."

She turned to Frederick. "Proceed."

Frederick adjusted his glasses. "The primary change concerns the disposition of Ms. Kane's personal estate and her controlling interest in Kane Industries. Previously, these assets were divided He glanced at Victoria, who nodded for him to continue.

the new will,

property, financial assets, real estate holdings, and her sixty percent controlling interest in Kane Industr Camille felt the air leave her lungs in

searching her face for

interrupted, her tone brooking no argument. She

folder. She opened it with unsteady fingers, scanning pages dense with legal terminology. Numbers jumped out at her, figures with so

"Yes," Victoria confirmed simply.

must be others, board members

you for decades, charitable foundations,

A shadow crossed her face at the mention of her daughter. "As for the board, they serve at

Camille's, unwavering. "You are my heir, Camille. The daughter of my choice, if not my blood. I have watched you transform from a

Someone

Victoria had found her in that hotel parking garage, beaten and left for dead

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Chapter 113

her and Victoria that transcended mentor

are a few

Ms. Kane's death. Instructions for the continuation of the Phoenix Grid project. And specific directives regarding certain individuals Ms. Kane

in a cold

meant Rose and Herod. Even facing surgery, Victoria was thinking ten moves ahead, planning counters to attacks

to survive the surgery. You're going to recover. We can discuss succession plans after you're back

gesture of physical affection.

the blue veins visible beneath the

she said softly. "Look at

her eyes

life preparing for every possibility," Victoria continued. "It's why I've survived this long in a world eager to see women like me fail. Tomorrow may go perfectly according to plan- I certainly

will not leave anything to chance. Not my company. Not my legacy. And especially not your

squeezed Camille's hand once before

with the signatures, Frederick?" Frederick

pen, her hand steady as she marked the documents. The scratch of the

finished, she handed

signature is required as witness and acknowledging recipient." Camille hesitated, the pen heavy in her hand. Signing felt

"This changes nothing

her thoughts. "It simply ensures that no matter what happens, you will be protected. Kane Industries

Camille took a

name. The letters

Camille Kane-st unfamiliar

given her, along with a

an empire.

omewhat now, potentially,

Frederick collected

briefcase. "I'll file these

"Thank you, Frederick. That will be

jacket. "If I may say so, Ms. Kane... it's been an honor serving you these many years." Something passed between them- thirty years of history distilled into a single look. Then Frederick bowed slightly and left the room, the door closing softly

painting the city

countered.

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