CHAPTER 23

The next morning, the sun rose over the city, casting its warm glow across the towering skyscrapers and quiet streets. But for Zayden and Camellia, the night’s events and indulgence lingered heavily on their mind.

Cameilla stirred on the bed. Despite the ache and exhaustion from the steamy sex, the comfort of sleep eluded her as flashes of Harrison's cold eyes haunted her thoughts. Zayden sat on the couch nearby, staring out of the window quietly, his gaze distant as he wrestled with the next line of action.

Camellia approached him. Standing behind him, her hands trailed his bare chest down.

Zayden smiled, placing a gentle kiss on the hand. "You should get some rest," he said gently, his voice breaking the stillness.

Camellia shook her head. “I can’t. Every time I close my eyes, I see him. I feel like... he’s still watching me.”

Guiding her hand, she allowed him to sit between his legs, her ass directly on his cock. The closeness made his cock twitch. He wrapped his hands around her waist protectively. "You’re safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Cameilla offered a small, weary smile, though the worry didn't leave her eyes. "I don't know how to thank you enough, Zayden. Even after pushing you away with my words, you are still here with me. Thank you."

Zayden pulled her close to himself, her rounded breasts pressing on his chest. "I'll always be here, Cam. No matter what. And I know you don't mean those words."

Cameilla gave a grateful smile, and Zayden placed a kiss on her lips.

*******

"Where have you been?" Charlotte demanded sharply, immediately Zayden stepped into the mansion. Charlotte was standing in the doorway of the living room, her arms crossed over her swollen belly, her expression, a mixt of anger and frustration.

"I was out handling something important," Zayden replied, his tone firm. He walked past her and sank onto a couch.

"Handling something important?" Charlotte scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "You've been gone all night, Zayden. Do you even care about me? About our baby? You've been so busy with running around with God knows who, while I'm here alone, carrying your child."

Zayden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Charlotte, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to neglect you or make you feel this way. I know I’ve been distracted, but I promise—"

"Promise?" Charlotte cut him off. "You were with her, weren't you? That slut Cameilla. You've been protecting her, haven't you? Running to her aid like some knight in a shinning armor."

"Charlotte, stop it," Zayden said firmly, his voice taking on a warning edge. "Don't push this. When I was trying to salvage our marriage, you don't even care about me. But now, that I'm done and I found someone else, you want to start pretending like you care."

Charlotte was quiet, her expression darkened with anger simmering beneath.

But Zayden continued, his frustration spilling over. "Why did you even agree to marry me? I guess because of the name "Blackwood" right? I was your second option since the one you love, won't love you back. Even when I knew you loved Alessandro, I still tried to make you love me because I loved you so much. "But now....." his tone got colder. "I'm done. And don't you dare interfere in my relationship.

Without another word, he stood up and retreated into the bedroom, leaving Charlotte standing there, her chest rising and falling with fury.

******

By afternoon, the wheels of Daisy's scheme were in motion. Ben skilled in manipulation and deception, forged documents and altered financial records, ensuring they painted a damning picture of Zayden. Emails were fabricated, bank statements adjusted, and whispers spread among the staff.

It didn't take long for the news to reach the board of directors. Meeting were hastily arranged.

*****

Later that evening, Zayden sat in his study, when his phone buzzed on the table. Picking it up, he frowned at the unfamiliar number.

"Hello?"

"Mr Blackwood, this is Sera from the cooperate compliance team. I'm afraid we need to discuss an urgent matter regarding the company's finances. There has been an irregularities linked to your account."

Zayden stomach dropped. "Irregularities? What are you talking about?"

“We’ve received documentation that suggests you’ve been embezzling funds. The board has called an emergency meeting tomorrow to address the matter.”

"What?" Zayden's voice rose. "That's absurd. I do no such thing."

"I suggest you prepare your defense, Mr Blackwood. That's a serious accusation."

The line went dead, leaving Zayden staring at his phone in disbelief.

*****

The next morning, the atmosphere in the boardroom was tense, a storm of murmurs and disapproval circling the long table as Zayden sat at the center of it all, his composure tested. Daisy, seated at the head as chairman, held the room in the palm of her hand, her every move calculated for maximum effect.

She rose, holding a remote in one hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, as much as I wished that this meeting was purely professional, certain..... allegations have surfaced that we can't simply ignore. Not only has there been evidence of embelzzlement from Mr Zayden, but I regret to inform you there are..... personal that might also compromise his integrity."

Daisy pressed the button, and the screen flicker to life. "The embelzzlement evidence and other forgery accounts that Zayden knew nothing about, and a series of photos appeared —images of Zayden and Cameilla locked in a heated kiss. Gasps erupted from the board members, their whispers laced with shock and judgement.

Zayden jaw tightened. "This is irrelevant. My personal life has no bearing on my ability to lead."

Daisy's expression was a perfect picture of feigned concern. "We all agree that personal life should remain personal," she said sweetly "but when it compromises the image of this company, it becomes everyone’s concern. Surely you understand that, Zayden."

The murmurs grew louder, majority of the board members nodding in agreement. Zayden scanned the room, realising that the pictures had done their job—his credibility was hanging by a thread.

Meanwhile across the city, Cameilla stared at her phone screen in horror as the news displayed the very photos Daisy has revealed. Her heart raced anger bubbling in her chest. Without hesitation, she stormed out, and hailed a taxi, her destination clear.

By the time Camellia arrived at the company, her determination burned brighter than her fear. She pushed past the receptionist and ignored the protests of security, making her way to the boardroom. She didn’t knock. She didn’t wait. She burst through the doors, all eyes snapping to her in stunned silence.

Zayden rose immediately, his expression, a mix of shock and concern. "Camellia—"

"I need to speak to Daisy," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension in the room. Her gaze locked into Daisy who leaned in her chair, her lips curling into a smirk.

"I don't think so," Daisy said coldly. "Whatever you have to say can wait. Zayden, get her out of here, before I call the security."

Camellia didn’t flinch. She took a step forward, her eyes never leaving Daisy’s. “I’m not going anywhere. If you won’t speak to me in private, I’ll say what I need to right here, in front of everyone.”

Daisy smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "You're making a fool of yourself, Cameilla. Leave now, before you embarrass yourself further."

Camellia raised an eyebrow, her expression calm but steely. "Very well then," she said, pulling out her phone and holding it for everyone to see. "I guess, I'm going to have to play the recording here, in front of everyone."