A Lie Called Vivienne

Christian’s expression changed instantly. He stood up angrily.

“Vivienne Marcello, where are your manners?”

Camille laughed.

Actually laughed.

“Which manners do you expect from a girl who grew up away from her family without anyone to teach her?”

Her eyes swept over him, almost as though she were looking at a room full of idiots.

Bella quickly stepped forward and touched Christian’s arm.

“Honey, don’t mind her. She’s young and probably doesn’t mean it.”

“Nope. I meant it.”

Camille’s answer came without the slightest hesitation.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to know where I’m staying.”

Before anyone could respond, her eyes shifted toward a maid standing quietly in the corner.

The maid noticed her gaze and immediately approached.

“Take me to my room.”

There was no question in Camille’s voice. She spoke as though she had been running the household for years.

The maid hurried to obey.

Just like that, Camille turned around and left the room, leaving the three people behind completely bewildered by her behavior.

……

Despite the late hour, Camille remained wide awake in bed.

The thought of completing her mission kept her mind active.

Her fingers reached for the phone on her nightstand.

She unlocked it and searched for the Rodriguez family.

Her phone contained no unnecessary contacts. There were no friends, classmates, or casual acquaintances.

Only family members and agents from the Shadow Organisation.

In their world, there were no friends.

Only colleagues.

Information about the Rodriguez family immediately appeared on the screen.

Camille scrolled through it silently.

After a few minutes, her expression remained unchanged.

The information was basic.

Too basic.

It gave her names, businesses, social connections, and a few other details, but none of it revealed what she really needed to know.

The Rodriguez family was powerful.

Entering their circle would not be easy.

But Camille had never been afraid of difficult missions.

She placed the phone back on the nightstand and closed her eyes.

This was only the beginning.

……

The next morning, Camille was still asleep when she heard movement outside her room.

Her heightened hearing picked up every sound.

Footsteps.

Murmured voices.

The opening and closing of drawers.

Then the door opened.

A group of people entered her room.

Camille didn't wake up.

She simply remained still, listening.

Bella's voice soon reached her ears.

“Put those dresses over there. And make sure that when she wakes up, she's informed about the importance of tonight's event.”

Several people immediately began moving around the room.

Camille finally saw no reason to continue pretending.

She sat upright.

The sudden movement startled everyone.

Bella turned toward her, irritation flashing across her face before she quickly disguised it.

“Vivienne, dear,” she said, forcing warmth into her voice. “Your father has arranged a welcome banquet for you tonight. He has invited important people from all walks of life.”

She paused.

“You should prepare yourself properly. We don't want you embarrassing our family.”

Her words sounded maternal.

But the reproach underneath them was impossible to miss.

Camille stared at her.

“Our family?”

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

“You really have no shame.”

Bella's expression stiffened.

“Have you forgotten that you're only a mistress who slept her way into the position you're in?”

The room instantly fell silent.

The makeup artists exchanged uncomfortable glances.

Bella's face flushed.

“What are you talking about, Vivienne?” she demanded. “I married your father after your mother died. You can't slander me by calling me a mistress.”

Camille slowly climbed out of bed.

She looked at Bella with an almost amused expression.

“You can keep lying to yourself, Bella.”

She walked closer.

“People have eyes. Stella is only a year younger than me.”

Bella's expression changed.

Camille continued calmly.

“That means my father was already involved with you while he was still with my mother.”

She shrugged.

“So spare me the innocent-wife act.”

Without waiting for a response, Camille turned and walked toward the bathroom.

Bella remained frozen in place.

By the time Camille stepped out of the bathroom, Bella was gone.

The makeup team, however, was still waiting.

The woman leading them stepped forward.

“Miss Vivienne, we were instructed to prepare you for tonight's banquet.”

Camille didn't answer.

She simply walked over to the vanity and sat down.

The makeup team immediately got to work.

For the next hour, the room remained unusually quiet.

Camille rarely wore makeup.

As an agent, there had been little reason for it unless a mission required her to change her appearance.

But when she finally looked into the mirror, even she was slightly surprised.

Her hair had been styled into elegant waves, swept neatly away from her face.

The makeup was graceful and sophisticated, emphasizing her features without making her look unnatural.

Mira, the lead makeup artist, stared at her reflection and sighed.

“Miss Vivienne, you're really beautiful.”

The other makeup artists nodded in agreement.

Camille almost smiled.

Almost.

Instead, she gave them a cool look.

“Thank you for your work.”

Mira smiled and brought several gowns forward.

“Miss Vivienne, which dress would you like to wear?”

Camille's eyes moved across the selection.

One dress after another.

Black.

Silver.

White.

Then her gaze stopped.

Red.

She pointed toward it.

“That one.”

Mira immediately removed the dress from the rack.

She hesitated when she saw it properly.

It was bold and dramatic, designed to make its wearer impossible to ignore.

Mira glanced at Camille through the mirror.

“Miss, this dress is quite overwhelming.”

Camille's lips curved into a confident smile.

“And that's exactly how I want it.”