CHAPTER 4 — Camille’s War Begins
Camille Rourke did not accept humiliation.
She redirected it.
Strategically.
By morning, Hartwell House was already in motion.
Lawyers were called.
Media contacts activated.
Narratives shaped.
Because Camille understood something very important:
Power did not lose.
It only repositioned.
At 8:12 a.m., she entered Julian’s office without knocking.
“You’re being manipulated,” she said immediately.
Julian didn’t look up.
“By whom?”
Camille stepped closer.
“That maid.”
That word landed differently now.
Julian’s pen stopped moving.
Camille continued.
“She saw an opportunity. A child. A broken story. And now you’re emotionally compromised.”
Julian finally looked at her.
And for the first time—
There was something cold behind his eyes.
Not anger.
Clarity.
“Leave Mara alone,” he said.
Camille laughed once.
“You’re protecting staff now?”
Julian stood.
“No,” he said.
“I’m protecting something I don’t yet understand.”
Camille stared at him.
Then her expression shifted.
Not sadness.
Calculation.
“You’re forgetting something,” she said quietly.
Julian raised an eyebrow.
Camille leaned in slightly.
“You and I are engaged.”
A pause.
“And engagements between families like ours don’t end because of… confusion.”
Julian didn’t respond.
But something in him had already moved away from her.
Camille noticed.
And smiled.
Not warmly.
Strategically.
“Fine,” she said softly.
“If you won’t remove them…”
May you like
A pause.
“I will.”
