The Devil's Rose

Lucas finally stopped a few metres away from her.

His eyes swept over Camille with undisguised disdain before a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

"Who do you think you are to judge me, Vivienne?" he asked coldly. "You ain't even worthy of carrying my shoes."

Camille stared at him for a moment.

Then she rolled her eyes.

"As if anyone would even be willing to carry the shoes you wear."

Lucas's expression instantly darkened.

Damn.

This girl had far more guts than he'd expected.

Most people became nervous the moment they heard the name Rodriguez. Some would flatter him, while others would immediately try to win his favour.

But Vivienne Marcello?

She wasn't even remotely intimidated.

Instead, she seemed determined to annoy him.

"You—"

Before Lucas could finish, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind them.

"What are the both of you doing here?"

Stella.

Her voice was filled with suspicion.

The way she looked between Lucas and Camille made it seem as though she'd caught the two of them doing something they shouldn't.

Lucas frowned.

"We were just—"

"Nothing much," Camille interrupted casually.

She turned toward Stella with an innocent smile.

"I was just asking Lucas about some things you probably shouldn't know about."

Stella's expression changed.

"What things?"

Camille's smile widened.

"Things."

She deliberately left the answer hanging.

Lucas stared at her in disbelief.

This woman was impossible.

Camille didn't give either of them the opportunity to question her further.

She simply walked past Lucas, brushing off the encounter as though nothing important had happened.

As she left the garden, the faint smile disappeared from her face.

Her mind immediately returned to the mission.

The chip.

If it was important enough for the Shadow Organisation to send her undercover, then it certainly wasn't going to be sitting somewhere obvious.

Camille thought carefully.

The Rodriguez family was powerful, but the three brothers each had different positions within the family.

If the chip had been entrusted to one of them, her first guess would be the eldest.

He was likely to have more authority, more responsibility, and greater access to sensitive information.

But assumptions could get an agent killed.

She couldn't afford to make one.

She needed to monitor all three brothers.

Lucas.

The eldest.

And the middle brother.

One mistake could ruin everything.

And Camille had no intention of failing another mission.

By the time she returned to the banquet hall, she had already composed herself.

The evening continued as though nothing unusual had happened.

The guests laughed, drank, and exchanged business cards while the Marcello family maintained their perfect appearance.

Eventually, the banquet continued until well after midnight.

One by one, the guests finally began leaving.

Luxury cars disappeared through the estate gates until the once-crowded driveway became quiet.

Christian and his wife eventually retreated upstairs, leaving the enormous living room almost empty.

Camille remained downstairs.

She sat comfortably on one of the sofas, holding a champagne glass in her hand.

Across the room, Stella sat silently.

She hadn't said a word.

She simply stared at Camille.

Her expression was unreadable.

Camille noticed the stare but didn't bother acknowledging it.

She calmly finished her drink before placing the empty glass on the table.

Then she stood.

"I'm going upstairs."

She had barely taken a few steps toward the staircase when Stella suddenly stood as well.

Camille continued walking.

Stella moved faster and soon passed her.

She reached the top of the stairs first.

Camille narrowed her eyes.

Something was wrong.

Stella suddenly stopped.

Then she turned around.

Her expression had changed.

There was something strange in her eyes.

Camille immediately became alert.

But she didn't step back.

Stella suddenly moved toward her.

Camille understood what she intended to do.

Push her.

How predictable.

At the very last second, Camille shifted her body aside.

Stella's hands missed their target.

Her balance immediately disappeared.

Her eyes widened as she realized she was falling backward.

For a brief moment, panic flashed across her face.

But before she could fall, Camille reached out and grabbed her.

Stella froze.

Camille held her firmly.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Stella slowly released the breath she'd been holding.

"Please..."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"Pull me up, Vivienne."

Camille looked at her.

Then a slow, knowing smile appeared on her face.

Under the dim light of the staircase, her expression suddenly looked almost devilish.

She tightened her grip slightly.

Stella looked confused.

"Vivienne?"

Camille leaned closer.

Her smile remained.

"Why should I, Stella?"

Stella's face went pale.

Camille watched her silently.

After all—

Stella had just tried to push her down the stairs.

And now she was asking Camille to save her.

How amusing.

Camille's smile deepened.

"Don't you think killing you right now is as easy as crushing an ant?"

She paused.

"So why should I be willing to let this chance go?"