Chapter 3: The Deadly Mistake

CAMILLA

I had never been trapped like this in my entire life.

Not in the courtroom. Not while creating a mind-blowing strategy for an impossible case. Not even when everything seemed to be working against me.

But now, I was trapped between the loyalty I owed two people who meant so much to me.

Something about this entire situation made me deeply uneasy.

I had just hung up on Desmond’s call. I’m still stuck with bringing out a better explanation for my actions.

I just hope Desmond would forgive me for hanging up his call.

"Relax, Camilla. Nothing will go wrong,” I whispered to myself, forcing a small smile.

The moment the elevator doors opened, my boldness returned.

The same boldness I possessed in a courtroom when I took on an impossible case and walked out victorious.

This was no different. I would succeed; I knew I would.

I stopped in front of Suite 2001. The door stood out from the other three on the floor. There was no doubt it was a private suite, probably reserved for the hotel’s owner.

I took a deep breath, scanned the key card, and pushed the door open.

A thick, clean scent immediately hit me, intoxicating enough to make me swallow.

The room was completely dark. A wave of fear swept through me.

I turned and carefully closed the door behind me.

Instantly, the lights came on.

"You're five minutes late, Counselor Flores.”

A familiar, deep voice cut through the silence.

My entire body froze, and I quickly spun around.

Everything inside me shattered.

Sebastian was sitting on a single sofa, one arm resting casually on the armrest, the other on his thigh, his posture carrying the effortless authority of a king on his throne.

His sharp gaze was fixed on me. He looked like he had been expecting me all along.

And then there was that tiny smirk.

The kind a villain wore when his opponent had willingly walked straight into his territory.

At this moment, I couldn’t feel my legs.

They felt glued to the floor, while my heart hammered violently against my ribs.

Why did Lyra lie to me? She told me he was asleep. Had he already woken up?

No. There’s no way he knew about the plan. Maybe I could still play dumb.

Because damn it, I’m screwed.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I think I checked into the wrong room,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.

One of his brows lifted. His face remained completely unreadable.

I could feel tears threatening my eyes as I desperately searched for another excuse.

"You know, Counselor Flores,” he said calmly, reaching for a glass of water on the table, “this world is terribly unfair to soft-hearted people.”

My breath hitched. My fingers tightened around my phone.

At this point, I wished I could disappear like one of those witches in the magical movies I used to watch.

He swirled the water inside the glass, watching it for a moment before looking back at me.

"Don't you think so?”

Fear crawled down my spine. Damn it. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

I have to say something, anything that could protect my career, my reputation, and my love life.

"Mr. Castillo, what are you talking about?” I forced out a nervous laugh. “I was bored at home, so I decided to check into the hotel. I didn’t know this room was occupied. Oh my goodness, I’ve been so stressed lately. I act rashly sometimes.” I tapped my forehead, pretending embarrassment.

Sebastian stared at me for several seconds, then a small smile flashed on his face.

"I used to admire your intelligence, Counselor Flores.” He slowly rose from the sofa.

My heart raced.

"A twenty-five-year-old lawyer who has worked at the firm for two years and won four hundred and ninety-nine cases without a single loss.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets.

"Impressive." He took a step toward me, making my heart race even more.

"But even intelligent people can easily be fooled.”

My heart sank. What the hell is he talking about?

There was one thing I knew about Sebastian. He is so manipulative. He knew how to twist situations, turn people against each other, and make everything work in his favor.

And now, he was trying to do the same thing to me. The thought alone pulled out a quiet chuckle.

"Mr. Castillo, as you mentioned, I’m an intelligent lawyer. I’m not someone who could be easily manipulated.” I met his gaze. “And guess what?”

I scoffed. “You’re the one trying to trick me.”

He gave a quiet, humorless smile and walked back to the sofa, sitting down with the same calm dominance.

"You came here for a reason, Counselor. We both know that, but you are being tricked."

My stomach twisted.

My chest tightened. He knew. Somehow, he knew.

But how much?

I chuckled softly and shook my head, trying to hold on to whatever control I still had.

"You really expect me to believe a man I barely know over a friend who’s practically my sister?”

He nodded, as though he had expected exactly that answer.

"Fine." He leaned back. “I’ll show you.”

His voice remained frighteningly calm.

"If I’m wrong, I’ll sign whatever divorce terms you bring me.” His gaze hardened. “If I’m right… you stay on her case.”

I blinked, totally baffled. Something about his terms didn’t make sense.

If he was telling the truth, shouldn’t he be asking me to drop Lyra?

Why was he insisting that I remain her lawyer?

"Mr. Castillo, why are you still asking me to stay on your wife’s case?” I asked carefully.

He looked at the glass of water for a long moment before answering.

"Because I asked you to. As for why… you’ll know when I decide you’re ready.”

I rolled my eyes, already not surprised at his response. I had watched that same calm arrogance on the news too many times.

But still, something about the way he looked at me made me deeply uncomfortable.

Was he telling the truth? Am I really being tricked by Lyra?

"Fine, Mr. Castillo.” I steadied myself.

"I would love to know what you’re trying to show me.”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips. He stood and walked toward the door.

I followed him, my heart racing with every step. But a disturbing thought wouldn’t leave my mind.

What if Sebastian was scheming against Lyra too?

What if this entire thing was a trap?

I just hoped Lyra wouldn’t fall into it.

He stopped in front of a suite marked 1011.

Then he turned toward me.

I frowned. What now?

"You're standing too far away, Counselor Flores,” he said calmly.

I rolled my eyes and stepped closer.

But before I could reach the door, a familiar voice came from inside, stopping me mid-step.

"Fuck, Lyra. Why are you always so tight, baby girl?”

Everything inside me froze as my blood ran cold.

Desmond?

That's Desmond’s voice.