CHAPTER 24

The tension in the boardroom was palpable as Daisy straightened her posture, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Board members, this meeting is adjourned. Leave us," she said curtly, her tone brooking no argument.

A few hesistant murmurs filled the room, but the board members obeyed, gathering their documents and leaving one by one. The last of the them closed the door, behind him, leaving Cameilla, Zayden and Daisy in the room.

The moment the door clicked shut, Daisy’s composed demeanor shattered. She leaned forward, her nails digging into the edge of the table. "Alright, you little pest. What do you think you’re doing? Show me what you have," she snapped.

Cameilla stood firmly, holding Daisy glare without flinching. She calmly unlocked her face, scanned for a moment and pressed play.

The room filled with Daisy's voice, cold and calculating.

“Using substandard materials will cut costs significantly and help us maximise profits. These clients are too focused on deadlines to question the quality. By the time they realize anything, it’ll be too late.”

The recording continued playing, detailing Daisy's and her business partners shady construction deal.

Zayden's jaw tightened, his eyes blazing with anger. "So.... Daisy you still do this?" He seethed.

Daisy froze, her eyes draining of colour as the recording echoed in the room. She attempted to regain her composure but the panic in her eyes betrayed. "How dare you record me, little slut."

Camellia remained unfazed. "I overheard your conversation during my visits to the mansion, Daisy. You are too heartless. How can you endanger people's life for your own benefit?" Cameilla said, her voice cold.

Then she continued, her voice dropping low, but the pain in it was unmistakable. "The same way, you burned down my family home without hesitation," the words rolled out before she could stop them.

Daisy's hand clenched into fists. "You don't go around accusing people without evidence, young lady. Now cut the chase. What do you want?"

Cameilla forced back her tears. This wasn't time nor place for this. She'll never ever give the cold witch that satisfaction. "Drop the charges against Zayden. Retract every single accusation. Do that, and this recording disappears. Permanently."

Zayden immediately stepped forward, his voice firm. "No Cameilla. This is concrete evidence. She needs to face the consequences of her actions, even though I'd be going down with her."

Cameilla turned to him, her expression softening. "This isn't about what she deserves. It's about preserving your honour and protecting everything you've built.

Daisy glared at both of them before letting out a bitter laugh. "You think I’m going to trust you? What’s stopping you from using this recording against me later?"

"I could say the same about you," Cameilla retorted, her voice icy. "If you don't drop the charges, this recording goes straight to the press, and then the police won't have choice than to investigate. You, decide how you want this to play out."

Daisy's brow contorted into rage. Why would she tell the board members? Such humiliation! But she knows she was backed in a corner. After a tense moment, she let out a shaky breath. "Fine, I'll clear the charges, but you destroy that recording, right here and right now."

Camellia gave a small, triumphant smile. "Once I see the proof that the charges are dropped, the recording will be erased."

Daisy glare, but pulled out her phone, barking commands to Ben. Within minutes, a notification buzzed on Zayden's phone, confirming that the allegations had been cleared.

"Now," Daisy spat, her eyes narrowing. "Delete it."

Cameilla hesistated for a moment, but then pressed a button, showing Daisy the screen as she deleted it.

"You've made a grave mistake, you little slut," Daisy hissed, venom dripping from her words.

"We will see about that," Cameilla replied, her voice steady.

As they exited the boardroom, Zayden grabbed Camellia’s arm gently. "You shouldn’t have done that," he said, his tone a mixture of frustration and admiration.

"I had to," she replied firmly. "You don't deserve to be dragged through the mud because of her. This fight is between me and her."

For a moment, Zayden looked her affectionately. "You know I'm not exactly a saint too, right? But thank you," he said, his voice barely audible.

They heaved a sigh of relief, but Cameilla relief was short-lived—Nathan and Dan won't like this.

*****

Later that evening, Dan and Nathan, setthed with anger when she broke the news to them.

"You did what?" Nathan growled, slamming a hand on the table.

"I destroyed the evidence," she repeated, meeting their furious gaze.

Dan threw his hands in the air. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done? That was the only solid proof we had against Daisy and her illegal dealings!"

"I know what I did," Cameilla said firmly. "And I stand by it. This was about protecting Zayden and not taking Daisy down. And besides, we still have some evidence against Harrison."

Nathan shook his head, his jaw clenched. "You are more stupid than I thought Cameilla. Have you forgotten he is the chief judge. The court will disregard that as mere speculations —not solid enough."

The room fell silent as their gazes pierced into hers. Did she regret? No. She'll definitely do it again, if she was given another chance.

Dan, ever the calm one, broke the silence. "I can't believe you allowed Zayden's dick to get into your head," he said in a low, dangerous tone.

Cameilla blinked, startled by Dan utterance. "What?"

"I wonder how good he fucked you that made you act without consulting us. Tell me," he added, stepping closer to her, "did you gag your throat with his cock. I can fuck you better. Then maybe you’d actually listen to me."

"What?" Cameilla hand connected with his face. The sound echoed through the room. "Are you insane," she yelled, her voice trembling.

"How dare you?" Dan seethed, raising his hand to retaliate, but Nathan quickly stepped between them.

"Hey guys," he said, holding Dan and pushing him back gently. "Let's this not divide us please. We shouldn't be doing this."

Cameilla ran her hand through her hair, her anger palpable. "You both.... get out," she thundered, gesturing towards the door.

"I will leave, you slut," Dan said, picking up his bag as he left the room, slamming the door shut.

Nathan sighed, stepping closer to her. "Cameilla, don't—"

"It's okay Nathan," she cut him off gently, tears brimming in her eyes. "I just want to be alone."

Nathan hesistated, but nodded, and without another word, he retreated outside.

Cameilla allowed her tears to fall asleep she collapsed onto a nearby couch. She couldn't believe even Dan would see her as nothing other than a sex toy. Her heart twisted in pain as his words echoed in her ears. Was she wrong to destroy the evidence? Was this all a mistake?

She wrapped her hand around herself, trying to shake off her thoughts when her phone buzzed.

It was an email—no subject line, no sender. Frowning, she opened it.

Her stomach dropped.

Attached was a single picture of Catherine sleeping peacefully in her hospital bed.

The message accompanying it was brief:

"Have you seen your sister today? I suggest you

go check on her."

Cameilla's blood ran cold.