Chapter 8 - BIANCA'S PRICE
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Bianca Sutter had always believed that money could solve almost anything.
It had paid for her education, her apartment, her wardrobe, and the expensive silence of people who knew too much.
It had not, however, made Camden love her.
That was the one thing she still wanted.
She sat across from him in his office while the city glittered behind the glass.
“You need to stop letting Nora control the narrative,” she said.
Camden didn't look up.
“She isn't controlling anything.”
“She has a lawyer. She has the Whitmores. She has those company records.”
“She doesn't understand what she has.”
“Then explain it to me.”
Camden closed the folder.
“Why?”
“Because I'm the person helping you.”
He studied her.
For the first time, Bianca noticed how tired he looked.
“You're helping yourself,” he said.
Her smile tightened.
“Is that supposed to be an insult?”
“It's an observation.”
Bianca leaned forward.
“Camden, your company is about to lose control of its original capital structure. If the trust intervenes, the board could remove you.”
“I know.”
“And you still haven't told me what the Whitmore clause means.”
“Because it's complicated.”
“Try me.”
He looked toward the door.
“Not here.”
Bianca's patience broke.
“You promised me a future.”
“I gave you everything you asked for.”
“Except a ring.”
Camden's jaw tightened.
“Nora is still my wife.”
“Only on paper.”
“She's carrying my child.”
“And you humiliated her in front of two hundred people. Don't pretend you're suddenly concerned about her.”
Camden stood.
“Enough.”
Bianca stared at him.
“You know what? I think you need me more than you realize.”
She opened her handbag and removed a small envelope.
Camden looked at it.
“What is that?”
“Copies of the original trust correspondence.”
His expression changed.
“Where did you get those?”
“Your lawyer left a file open on the conference table.”
“Those documents are confidential.”
“So is the relationship you keep pretending doesn't exist.”
Camden reached for the envelope.
Bianca pulled it back.
“I want a guarantee.”
“What kind?”
“A public announcement. You and I. No more hiding.”
“Not now.”
“Then I send these to Nora.”
Camden's face went cold.
“You wouldn't.”
“Try me.”
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Camden took a slow breath.
“What do you want?”
Bianca smiled.
“A place on the board. And a written agreement that I receive a share of the company if the merger closes.”
He looked at her as if he were seeing her clearly for the first time.
“You're blackmailing me.”
“I'm negotiating.”
Camden took the envelope.
“Get out.”
Bianca stood.
“You'll call me.”
She left without waiting for an answer.
But she did not go far.
In the elevator, she sent a message to Nora.
Your husband is not the only person who knows what happened to your mother.
Then she sent another.
Meet me tomorrow. Alone.
Nora read the messages at Holly's office.
“Don't go,” Holly said immediately.
“I won't.”
But Bianca sent a third message.
I have the original recording from the hospital security system. Your grandfather paid someone to erase it. Camden has the backup.
Nora looked up.
“What recording?”
Holly's expression changed.
“If she's telling the truth, it could be important.”
May you like
Nora read the final line.
And the woman in that recording was alive when they took her.
