Chapter 7 - THE FIANCÉE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Camille Ashford returned to the Ferraro penthouse three days later.
She walked in wearing a cream-colored suit and a diamond necklace.
Casius waited beside the window.
"Where's my mother?"
Camille sighed.
"Still obsessing over that?"
He turned slowly.
"Answer."
She crossed her arms.
"I arranged for her to receive private care."
"Where?"
"At a secure facility."
"Name it."
Camille looked away.
Casius stepped closer.
"Camille."
She snapped.
"Your mother has never liked me."
He stared.
"What?"
"She thinks I'm after your money."
"Where is she?"
Camille's eyes flashed.
"Do you know what it's like being judged by that woman?"
Casius said nothing.
"She watches everything. Questions everything. She even started asking about my father's foundation."
His expression changed.
"What did she ask?"
Camille hesitated.
Then looked away.
Casius understood.
His mother had discovered something.
Something Camille couldn't allow her to reveal.
He took out his phone.
Camille's expression sharpened.
"Who are you calling?"
"My attorney."
She laughed.
"Don't be ridiculous."
He looked at her.
"The engagement is over."
Silence.
Camille stared.
"You can't be serious."
"I am."
She stepped toward him.
"Casius, we've planned a wedding."
"Then cancel it."
Her face hardened.
"You think you can humiliate me?"
He held her gaze.
"You humiliated a nurse carrying medication to my mother. You assaulted her. And now my mother is missing."
Camille's voice dropped.
"Be careful."
Casius stared.
"Is that a threat?"
She smiled coldly.
"It's advice."
After Camille left, Casius called Detective Keene.
He gave her everything he knew.
Including information that could implicate his own organization.
The decision carried consequences.
Casius understood that.
But for the first time in his life, protecting his family meant telling the truth rather than hiding it.
That evening, Delaney received a call from an unknown number.
A woman's voice whispered:
"Miss Pierce?"
"Yes?"
"Your father wasn't the only one who knew."
Delaney went still.
"Who is this?"
The woman hesitated.
Then said:
"Sofia Ferraro."
Delaney stood.
"Mrs. Ferraro? Where are you?"
Sofia's breathing was uneven.
"I don't have much time."
"Are you safe?"
"No."
Delaney gripped the phone.
"Tell me where you are."
Sofia whispered an address.
Then added:
May you like
"Don't trust the woman wearing the red scarf."
The line went dead.
