Chapter 10
The banquet was a grand spectacle, drawing mafias from across the country and beyond. The air buzzed with lively conversations, bursts of laughter, and the melodic clinking of glasses. Vibrant colors and golden lights reflected off the towering chandeliers, casting an ethereal glow over the lavish hall.
Katie made her entrance with confidence, her dress shimmering as she moved. For a moment, she succeeded in drawing attention, basking in the admiring glances sent her way. But her triumph was short- lived.
The room stilled when Camilla arrived. Her gown, encrusted with diamonds and shimmering gems, sparkled like a thousand stars under the chandeliers. Heads turned, whispers spread like wildfire, and the crowd couldn’t stop stealing glances at her.
55% 12:35
1/8
Chapter 10
“Is that Camilla of Silver Bullets?”
someone murmured.
“She looks stunning,” another voice added.
Katie clenched her fists, her knuckles whitening as jealousy simmered under her skin. Her carefully crafted entrance had been completely overshadowed. She glanced toward Jackson and Ridge, hoping for reassurance, but both of them were staring at Camilla, utterly captivated.
“She looks… bold, don’ t you think?” Katie said, her voice laced with feigned sweetness as she sidled up to Jackson. “All those diamonds-it’s a bit much, isn’t it?”
Jackson barely spared her a glance. “She looks gorgeous.
!!
Ridge didn’t even respond, his eyes fixed on Camilla as she greeted a group of elders with grace.
Katie’s smile faltered, her frustration
55% 12.30
2/8
56
Chapter 10
bubbling just beneath the surface. She bit her lip, determined not to let it show. Just wait, she thought, seething inwardly. I’ Il find a way to steal the spotlight again.
But for now, all she could do was simmer in the shadows of Camilla’ s brilliance.
Camilla felt the weight of the stares as she walked into the banquet, her dazzling gown catching the light with every step. She kept her expression calm, nodding politely and greeting familiar faces as she made her way through the crowd. Her eyes subtly scanned the room, searching. She wasn’t sure exactly who she was looking for, but part of her hoped her future. husband would finally make an appearance.
“Be patient,” her mother had told her earlier. “He’ll show up when the time is right.”
Camilla wasn’t so sure, but she held onto the thought, letting it steady her as she moved.
55% 12:36
3/8
Chapter 10
Across the room, Jackson and Ridge watched her intently. They started toward her, but Camilla, noticing them from the corner of her eye, quickly turned to strike up a conversation with a passing guest. She kept her back to them, pretending not to notice their presence.
Jackson frowned, his hands balling into fists at his sides. Ridge let out a sharp breath, muttering under his breath, “She’s really going to ignore us?”
Frustration simmered between them, but Camilla didn’t turn back. Instead, she carried on with her small talk, her focus seemingly elsewhere.
Later that evening, Katie approached Camilla with a bright, seemingly innocent smile. “Camilla, you look absolutely stunning tonight,” she said, her eyes. sparkling with feigned admiration. “That dress-did the person who gave it to you happen to be in the crowd?”
Camilla barely glanced at her. “I’m not in
4/8
6
Chapter 10
the mood for a fight, Katie,” she replied flatly, her voice edged with weariness.
Katie pouted slightly, her tone softening as if wounded. “Fight? I’m not here to fight. I’m just trying to have a conversation. Can’t we at least be civil for once? In fact, why don’t we have a toast together?”
Camilla raised a brow but didn’ t respond, turning her attention to the room. Katie’s smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of irritation, but she quickly masked it with innocence.
“Alright then,” Katie said with a shrug, stepping back.
Moments later, a loud crash echoed through the hall. Katie was on the floor, food and shattered plates scattered around her. Gasps filled the room as guests turned toward the commotion.
Katie clutched her arm dramatically, her eyes wide with tears. “I’m so sorry, Camilla!” she wailed, her voice trembling.
55% 12:38
5/8
Chapter 10
“I didn’t mean to upset you! Please don’t
be angry!”
Camilla froze, her jaw tightening as whispers spread through the crowd.
“She pushed her,” someone murmured from the corner.
“Unbelievable,” another added.
Katie, now kneeling amidst the mess, sobbed louder. “I shouldn’t have bothered
you! I didn’t mean to cause trouble!”
The hall buzzed with whispers as Jackson and Ridge rushed to Katie’ s side, helping her up. Guests cast judgmental glances. toward Camilla, their murmurs cutting through the air like knives.
“I’m sorry! It was my fault,” Katie cried, her voice trembling as she clutched Ridge’ s arm. “I shouldn’t have bothered her. I just wanted to talk…”
Camilla rolled her eyes, letting out a dry laugh. “Of course, same tactics, huh,
55% 12:36
6/8
Chapter 10
Katie? You’ re always so good at being the victim.” Her gaze turned to Jackson and Ridge, her patience completely worn out.
“She’s the one who wouldn’t leave me alone. I ignored her, but no, she just had to pull this little stunt.”
“Camilla,” Jackson snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. “You need to apologize.
Ridge shook his head, frowning. “Even if she was bothering you, this-this is too much. Look at her!”
Camilla s eyes darkened as she stared at Katie, still sniffling dramatically in their arms, and let out a bitter, mocking laugh.
“Apologize? I didn’t even touch her. But clearly, that doesn’t matter, does it?”
Katie sniffled louder, wiping fake tears from her cheeks. “I didn’t mean for this to happen…
Camilla shook her head, her voice cutting through the air like ice. “Save it, Katie.
778
12:3
Chapter 10
I’m done.”
56
Before either Jackson or Ridge could argue, Camilla spun on her heel, her shoes clicking sharply against the marble floor as she strode toward the door. Conversations hushed, judgmental stares following her every step..
Just as she reached the exit, Camilla
collided with someone-a tall, striking mant with piercing eyes and a serpent tattoo. curling along his neck. He stood firm, his presence commanding, surrounded by his intimidating bodyguards.
The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Camilla looked up, her breath catching for a moment as the man’s fierce gaze locked onto hers.