Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN WHO TOOK HER PLACE
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Bianca Sutter arrived at the penthouse shortly after Nora left.
She had not expected Camden to be there.
He was standing by the windows, still wearing the same shirt from the night before. A half-empty glass sat on the counter.
“You look terrible,” Bianca said.
Camden did not turn.
“Thank you.”
“Where is she?”
“Gone.”
Bianca set her handbag down.
“For how long?”
“I don't know.”
“Did she take anything?”
“Her clothes.”
Bianca studied him.
“Did she take the company records?”
Camden finally turned.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because you look like a man who has just realized he made a mistake.”
“I didn't make a mistake.”
“Then why are you standing here instead of at the office?”
Camden poured himself another drink.
“She's been talking to the Whitmores.”
Bianca's expression changed.
“Which Whitmores?”
“Daniel.”
She went very still.
“Does she know?”
“She knows enough.”
Bianca walked closer.
“Then we need to make sure she doesn't get the rest.”
Camden looked at her.
“You told me the old records were destroyed.”
“I told you the copies I knew about were destroyed.”
“You said the family office had no proof.”
“I said they had no proof that could be used.”
He slammed the glass down.
“Do you understand what happens if the trust takes control?”
Bianca's voice lowered.
“Then we make sure it doesn't.”
She opened her handbag and removed a folder.
Inside were several pages showing payments to Northstar Advisory, the company owned by her brother.
Camden frowned.
“Why are you carrying those?”
“Because I thought you might need a reminder.”
“Of what?”
“That I helped you.”
Camden stared at her.
Bianca smiled.
“You asked me to handle the early investor relations. You asked me to introduce Northstar as a strategic partner. You asked me to move money through accounts that wouldn't attract attention.”
“Keep your voice down.”
“Why? The staff already know I'm here.”
He stepped closer.
“What do you want?”
“A guarantee.”
“What kind?”
“A position on the board. A share of the merger proceeds. And a public announcement that you and I are together.”
Camden laughed without humor.
“You think this is the time?”
“I think this is the only time I have leverage.”
He looked at her.
For the first time, he saw the calculation behind her beauty.
“You're blackmailing me.”
“I'm protecting my future.”
Camden took the folder.
“You're going to regret this.”
Bianca lifted her handbag.
“Maybe. But not as much as you will.”
She walked out.
In the elevator, she opened her phone and sent Nora a message.
You think Camden is the only person who knows about your birth family? He's not.
Nora read it while sitting beside Holly.
A second message followed.
Meet me tomorrow. I have something your husband doesn't want you to see.
Holly shook her head.
“Absolutely not.”
Nora stared at the screen.
“Maybe she's finally afraid of him.”
“Or maybe she's trying to use you.”
Nora put the phone down.
“Either way, I want to know what she knows.”
Holly leaned forward.
“Then we meet on our terms. Public place. Security. No promises.”
Nora nodded.
She had spent years believing Bianca was the woman who took her husband.
May you like
Now she suspected Bianca had been helping him take something much bigger.
And she intended to find out exactly what.
