Chapter 212

Victoria Kane sat in her favorite armchair by the window of her estate’s study, afternoon sunlight streaming across the financial documents spread on her lap. Three days out of the hospital, she still moved carefully, her body reminding her with every breath how close the stress had brought her to complete collapse. The cancer treatments had weakened her physically, but her mind remained sharp as a blade.

Camille watched from the doorway, relief and worry warring in her chest. Victoria looked fragile in the oversized chair, her usually commanding presence diminished by the loose cardigan draped over her shoulders and the reading glasses perched on her nose. But her eyes burned with the same intellectual fire that had built Kane Industries from nothing.

“You should be resting,” Camille said softly, entering the study with a cup of herbal tea.

“I’ve been resting for three days. My body might be weak, but my brain is fine.” Victoria accepted the tea gratefully, her ha