Chapter 21

Camille’s POV

Victoria’s gaze sharpened, finally answering the question I’d left hanging in the air. “Yes. Every lesson, every challenge, every seemingly excessive demand, they all serve that purpose. To make you stronger than Sophia was. More prepared for the dangers wealth and power attract.”

“And to make me capable of the revenge you’ve planned.”

“That too,” she acknowledged without hesitation. “The people who hurt you must pay for what they’ve done. But beyond revenge lies something more important.... your future. What you’ll build after justice is served.”

I considered her words, understanding for the first time that Victoria’s vision extended beyond my usefulness as an instrument of revenge. But was I being shaped again? This time with diamonds and silk instead of cold words and punishment? Or was this different, was Victoria handing me the chisel to carve myself?

“I still shouldn’t have come in here without permission,” I said after a mome