006

Camilla stood before Mrs. Margret, her face calm and neutral. There was no hint of fear or panic even though  the woman was the  Sterling Mistress. Instead, she greeted politely, “Good morning ,ma’am.”

Margret nodded, smiling sweetly, seemingly satisfied while her eyes roamed around Camilla’s body in search of any mark from their previous night. Seeming to notice her overbearing gaze and excess smile, she cleared her throat, her expression returning to normal. 

“I heard your name is Camilla,” 

Camilla nodded, “Yes ma’am, you heard right.”

“I’m sure your parents briefed you on everything you need to know about the marriage. Especially about it being a NDA, right?” 

Camilla scoffed, her parents weren’t done thinking and calculating about the money they'd be gaining, talking more briefing her about the marriage. Not like they care anyways. But she knew how marriage like this works.

“Rest assured, I'll play my role absolutely well.” She gave her a small smile.

Margaret nodded, “Good then. Come on, let's have breakfast already, you must be hungry.”

Camilla nodded feigning a smile as she followed the women to the dining table.

At the far end of the room, Cyrus stood at the door, dressed in a tailored black shirt, his hair neatly combed and styled to fall across his face, slightly covering his left eyes.  He was about to leave when he caught the glimpse of Camilla talking with his mother, he wasn't ready to listen to their conversation but what caught his attention was her promise to play her role very well. 

“Let me see how long you'd last it in here, Leech.” He scoffed and left, slamming the door behind him.

Cyrus hadn't even made it to the car, when he was suddenly surrounded by reporters. For someone who was obsessed with cleanliness, he pulled out his nose mask and quickly put it on. 

“Hello sir, how are you feeling today?”

“Sir, rumours are spreading that you chased away the board members in the company, a few days ago. Sir, is that true? Do you mind clarifying it?”

“Move!!”  Carter roared, pushing off the reporters squirming closer to him, while Cyrus's guards blocked the path, hurriedly guiding him to the car.

The reporters kept throwing tons and tons of questions. 

“You want answers, don't you? Fine, listen up here!!” 

Everyone turned their attention to the direction of the voice, including Cyrus, who was now in the car. To his utter surprise, at the entrance of the door, stood no one else but Camilla. Her expression was sharp and fierce, as her aloof gaze darted from everyone.

“You all have left your home and workplaces just to come ask stupid questions, huh? Is that how to serve society?  Aren't you ashamed?  sharing rumours and lies, just to get paid peanuts.” Camilla laughed.

As much as they were all confused, and murmuring questions to themselves, they couldn't help but lower their gaze, and camera.

Camilla didn't want to stand there and talk to them anymore, she had actually hoped for a chance to meet a reporter or group of them. They kept spreading bad news about her, without even knowing what had really happened. Now, it was obvious someone had bought them to blackmail the Sterling heir. She didn't want to intervene at first but thinking back at what they've said about her, she took the opportunity to vent her anger.

She scoffed, “I wonder which socialite has paid you, you all don't seem like a news reporter or are you? If so, what's the name of your firm?”

Now, everyone lowered their head, not wanting to answer the question or meet her gaze, except for  a woman.

“Miss, why are you trying to tarnish our image, we're just doing our job. Besides, who's Sir Cyrus to make you speak for him.?”

“Are you really doing your jobs? If so, you would've recognized me at one glance, but no, you won't, why? Because y'all fake and there's more of you out there.” 

“Shouldn't you think twice before accepting a job…coming here to ask questions and spread more rumours, you aren't scared of getting arrested for defamation and impersonation? Fine, I'll call the police then,” 

“No need!!”

“Let's leave already…”

In less time, all of them hurriedly dispersed.  

Cyrus, was still seated in the car, while his gaze was fixed at Camilla, flickered with something, amusement? Astonishment? Or maybe nothing.

He looked away from her….. Is she that desperate for money? standing up against the press just to earn some good points with his mother. Cyrus thought and sighed.

“Check  the firm those reporters work on.”

“I already did that sir. Just like ma’am had said, they were really hired by someone and don't work under any reporting firm.” 

Cyrus frowned, clenching his jaw. “You said you handled everything, how did someone get to know about it?”

“Sir, I'm also trying to figure it out. But it really is possible that one of the people present at the board meeting must have spilled it from his mouth and it got out.”

Cyrus knew that the board members might have said something but none of them would have the guts to take it to the reporters. Or could there be someone who is capable of that, a mole maybe?

In the Sterling residence, Camilla and Margaret opposite each other.

“I know you were trying to protect Cyrus out there, but think of it, these people might spread another rumour, especially now that we want the marriage away from the public.”

‘Protect Cyrus? Are you kidding me?’  Camilla scoffed, but her expression remained unfazed faced with Margret. She couldn't possiblt say that to her face.

Looking at their expressions then, they won't dare to say any more rumours, especially when your family is involved.

Margret thought for a while before nodding her head.  Since morning, she's been holding back the urge to ask Camilla why sfe stabbed Louis, but looking at Camila's sharp gaze, she decided against it, thinking she wouldn't say anything to her.

But now, since they were discussing it would be better to bring up the topic, in a way, she wouldn't have to back away from it.

“Camilla, I've been  wondering…”

“What did Mr Louis do, to make you stab him?”

Camilla froze, She wasn't expecting this question. How could she, when her own family didn't even bother to ask?