Chapter 42: New Scandal
Ruby’s POV
“Wow, now this is a jackpot of a revelation.”
I ignored Leia’s sudden exclamation. The gears in my mind were still turning, working hard to process every word that had just left the stranger’s mouth.
Did I hear that correctly? Did he just ask Camilla if the baby was his?
Dear God. That woman is a walking disaster.
How many men had she been with for someone to question the child’s paternity so boldly? And what did this mean for her relationship with Dominic?
The worst part? I was just as fooled as everyone else–if this revelation was true. No, not just me. I was certain even Nathaniel had no idea…
I barely registered Killian beside me anymore. I would have to thank him later for tolerating my impolite distraction.
My full attention was locked onto the unfolding scene before us, my curiosity burning far beyond reason. Camilla hesitated, her expression flickering between anger and panic before she forced a mask of outrage to take precedence.
“That’s ridiculous! We’re not together anymore!” she snapped.
The man crossed his arms, unimpressed. “That doesn’t change the fact that we were still sleeping together just a few months ago. And if I do the math, that lines up perfectly with the timing of your pregnancy announcement.”
Camilla stiffened, her hands protectively cradling her stomach. “This isn’t your baby,” she hissed. “Stop making up ridiculous accusations.”
The man didn’t back down. “We both know what kind of arrangement we had. No labels, no commitments–but it wasn’t just a one–time thing, Camilla.”
I mulled over his words.
So, Camilla had been involved with this man for an extended period? Since when?
I didn’t even know this man–not in the slightest.
Camilla had never been close to anyone, never brought or introduced any man to us. At one point, I had felt sorry for her- this young woman whom I had once considered my dear little sister–struggling to find her true mate.
That was then.
Now, it was clear that this girl was even crazier than Nora when it came to men.
The chestnut–haired man ran a hand down his face, a mix of exhaustion and frustration evident in his features.
“And now, out of nowhere, you suddenly have a ‘mate‘ and an heir? Forgive me if I have my doubts.”
“Your doubts are baseless!” Camilla insisted.
“Camilla Lucienne. Do you need me to count the number of times we’ve been together?”
Camilla took a step back as the man advanced toward her.
“Can you give me a solid argument about the timing of your pregnancy? No? Of course not.”
The pregnant blonde folded her arms, exuding an arrogance she rarely displayed in public.
“Listen to me. Whether this child is yours or not, you will never have him. And I will never acknowledge you as his father.”
That ignited the nameless man’s fury.
“Are you looking down on me? Just because I’m a Gamma!?” he roared.
“See? You admit it yourself!” Camilla shot back in the same sharp tone.
The man growled. “I am more than capable of providing for you, Camilla. I mean it–why do you always underestimate me!?”
“Because the facts say otherwise,” Camilla answered coldly.
My wolf sneered in my mind. ‘Hmm… how ruthless. Does she really think her pride is worth that much?‘
Successfully unlocked!
I didn’t bother responding to my wolf, who was busy mo ng and ridiculing Camilla–though I agreed with every single
point she made. She wasn’t wrong.
That woman wasn’t even worth a price.
The man’s voice suddenly softened just a little.
1/3
Chapter 42: New Scandal
“I would be grateful if you just told me the truth, Camilla. I swear, I would never hurt you–let alone our baby-”
“He is not yours! How many times do I have to say it!?” Camilla’s roar thundered through the garden, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if she could shield the unborn child within.
“Leave! Leave me alone!”
She tried to drive the nameless man away, but of course, he didn’t budge.
I swallowed hard, trying to process everything I had heard so far. My mind reeled from the implications.
The bottom line? Camilla had slept with another man. And the one confronting her now seemed to have more than enough reason to argue that he was the father of her child.
My fingers curled into fists.
This is unbelievable.
The baby wasn’t Dominic’s.
Camilla’s eyes darted around frantically, as if searching for an escape.
“Camilla… please, we can talk about this rationally, calmly-”
“I don’t owe you any explanation,” she snapped. “I have a new life now. Stop contacting me.”
Fury flared in the stranger’s eyes again as he scoffed.
“So that’s it? You’re just going to pretend I don’t exist? Forever?”
“What else do you expect? We’re done!”
Camilla’s blue eyes glared daggers at the man, her face flushed with anger. Her hands were clenched so tightly that she was close to drawing blood–especially with those sharp nails of hers.
Then, she pulled something from her pocket–a piece of paper, which she held up for him to see.
Even from this distance, I could see the markings of an official document.
Camilla’s face drained of all color.
I had no idea what was written on it, but I knew that she knew.
“What do you have to say about this, Camilla?”
Her lips trembled before she steadied herself, taking a deep breath.
“Y–you…” Camilla stammered.
The man–Camilla’s former lover–grinned sharply.
“Finally showing that expression, huh? You’re easy to provoke, it seems. That’s right. This is proof of your first visit to the hospital.”
Camilla trembled, growing even paler. She was at a complete loss for words.
“From your very first visit, I counted back to the last time we were together, and wouldn’t you know it? The timing matches perfectly,” he continued, clearly feeling victorious in his argument.
“Why so quiet? Ah, so you’re finally admitting that the baby isn’t your brother–in–law’s?” he pushed, anger lacing his words.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Camilla hissed before turning on her heel and rushing away, leaving the man standing there, his expression dark.
I remained silent, my breath coming in short, uneven bursts.
So it was true. The baby wasn’t Dominic’s.
This changed everything.
God, my head ached just thinking about it. That woman was truly something else.
Killian, who had been standing beside me, let out a quiet chuckle.
“My, my. Your dear sister is quite skilled at luring men into her bed.”
I shot him an annoyed look, still too overwhelmed to find the right words.
“Don’t call her my sister!”
He smirked.
“Ah, my mistake.”
Before I could formulate another thought, Killian grasped my wrist, guiding me out of our hiding place.
My mind raced with endless possibilities.
This revelation–this undeniable truth–was the perfect weapon.
Chapter 42. New Scandal
But I needed proof, I needed that document. And once I had it, I would make sure everyone knew the truth.
A vivid image formed in my mind of how I would expose Carrilla’s lies. Dominic would kill her without mercy Nathanie would cast her aside. And perhaps only her mother would still care.
Killian, still holding my hand, hummed as if he could read my thoughts.
“A dangerous idea is taking shape inside that tiny head of yours.”
I exhaled sharply, my expression hardening.
“This is an opportunity I won’t waste.”
Killian’s crimson eyes gleamed with approval.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
For a moment, I hesitated, studying him.
Despite everything–despite the transactional nature of our arrangement–he had helped me at every turn.
“…Thank you,” I murmured, even surprising myself.
He blinked, as if unaccustomed to hearing those words.
Then, as always, he smirked.
“Don’t thank me just yet, darling. The real fun is only beginning.”
I wanted to stay with him longer–I knew that.
And something told me he felt the same way.
But there were responsibilities we couldn’t ignore. Killian had his kingdom, his fortress still under reconstruction. And I had to ensure that Dominic didn’t grow suspicious of my absence.
Killian stopped at the corner of the building, lifting my chin with his fingers.
“Sometimes, I want to dissect that mind of yours,” he murmured, his crimson eyes as cold and terrifying as a winter storm.” You keep thinking about something else when you’re with me.”
My eyes widened in fear.
“F–forgive me, Your Majesty. I—”
“Shhh…”
Killian pressed his thumb against my lips, a smirk curving his cruelly handsome face.
“I’m not angry. Let’s not misunderstand each other, alright?”
I nodded quickly, and he rewarded me with a soft caress against my cheek.
Without thinking, I leaned into his touch, silently apologizing for my rudeness and lack of decorum since we met- especially when we were hiding earlier.
To my surprise, Killian forgave me easily.
“Don’t worry about Camilla,” he murmured, pressing a lingering kiss to my cheek. “I’ll handle her. You just sit back and enjoy the results.”
I swallowed hard, nodding as he released me, stepping back into the shadows as if he had never been there at all.
As I walked toward the ballroom doors, I kept my expression calm.
Camilla had no idea what was coming.
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