Chapter 400
The only reason Mahoney was disclosing highly classified intel to her now was that their suspicions were all but confirmed.
He was terrified that if he waited until the absolute brutal truth was fully exposed, the shock would completely break Camilla. He needed to give her advance warning so she could process the trauma and eventually be the rock her mother, Elise, would desperately need.
When the investigation finally closed, the truth of how the fallen hero had suffered would have to be made public. And everyone in the room knew exactly how fragile Elise’s mental state was. With Tanner gone, Camilla was the sole pillar holding the family together. She had to be the first to know.
Looking at her now, Mahoney’s eyes swelled with deep, fatherly pity. At the end of the day, Camilla was just a girl in her twenties. His own daughter was the same age and still lived a carefree life, oblivious to the world’s darkness. Meanwhile, Camilla had already survived a lifetime of unrelenting torment.
“If you’re telling me this, you must already have a concrete direction,” Camilla said, biting her lip so hard she tasted copper. She forcibly swallowed the tidal wave of grief rising in her throat and locked eyes with Mahoney.
“According to the intel, one of the cartel’s core leaders fled to Valdoria,” Mahoney explained. “We are already establishing contact with their local authorities and will be deploying a team shortly. The Black family has multiple joint ventures operating in Valdoria, so Carol’s cover is essential for this operation p>
He gestured to the woman beside him. “By the way, Camilla, I don’t think I ever properly introduced you two. Carol was supposed to be your father’s apprentice. If he hadn’t… if the accident hadn’t happened, you two probably would have grown up as close friends p>
“You’re a bit late on the introduction, Mahoney. Camilla and I already know each other,” Carol said quietly.
Camilla wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her composure returning as she stared at Carol. Suddenly, everything made perfect sense.
From the very first day they met, she had felt an inexplicable warmth from Carol, a protective instinct that seemed far too personal for a simple business relationship. Though Camilla couldn’t place the memory before, she now remembered the long nights she spent doing her homework at the police precinct while her father worked late. There was always a friendly older girl there, constantly sneaking her snacks and buying her milk tea.
It had been so long that the girl’s face had faded from her memory, but now it perfectly superimposed over Carol’s sharp features.
There was no such thing as unconditional pity in the corporate world. Carol had been watching over her since she was a child.
“I’m sorry I kept my identity from you at first, Camilla,” Carol said gently. “I knew losing my mentor shattered your entire world. I didn’t want my presence to drag up your darkest memories, so I chose to protect you from the shadows as a stranger p>
Carol had acted purely out of love and loyalty, providing Camilla with endless support when she needed it most. Camilla could never blame her.
“Carol, are you in charge of the Black family’s projects in Valdoria?” Camilla asked, her voice taking on a desperate edge. “Does that mean you’ll be traveling there frequently? Can you take me with you p>
Now that she knew the monster who destroyed her father was hiding in Valdoria—and that her father’s trail led straight there—there was absolutely no way she could sit back and do nothing.
Carol frowned, conflict warring in her eyes. “Camilla, I understand how frantic you are, but the people in Valdoria are ruthless, bloodthirsty criminals. Plus, Elise needs you here. You really should p>
“Carol, I need to know the truth the second you find it,” Camilla cut in, her voice breaking. “You are all risking your lives for this. As his daughter, I refuse to cower in the background and wait. I want to be the very first person to see my father, no matter… no matter what state he’s in p>
She scrubbed the fresh tears from her cheeks, but they kept falling. The fragmented memories of her father’s smiling face sharpened in her mind, pulling at her heartstrings until they felt ready to snap.
This was the closest she had been to him in over a decade. She was utterly desperate for closure.
“I swear I won’t get in your way, Carol,” Camilla pleaded. “I just want to be there when the truth comes out. Please. Take me to Valdoria p>
She couldn’t bear to wait safely at home. Just this once, she needed to be selfish.
Carol looked at Camilla’s bloodshot, pleading eyes, her heart aching with sympathy. She turned a helpless gaze toward Mahoney.
Mahoney let out a long sigh. “If she wants to go with you, let her. You high-profile executives always travel with massive entourages anyway. Just pass it off as taking your assistant on a business trip to show her the ropes p>
With Mahoney’s official clearance, Carol couldn’t refuse. “I’ll be traveling to Valdoria under the guise of attending an elite commercial summit,” she explained. “We’ll be networking with the local power players, and our target is likely hiding among one of their syndicates. Camilla, you have to promise me—you stick to my side like glue. No matter what we find, you cannot act impulsively. Even if we discover a direct lead, we have to play the long game if we want to bring my mentor home alive p>
“I promise, Carol. I know what’s at stake,” Camilla swore, her voice ringing with absolute, unshakeable conviction.
They spent the next hour locking down the logistics and the timeline for the Valdoria trip. By the time Camilla finally stepped out of the private dining room, her tears were entirely gone, her expression perfectly masked and as flawlessly calm as ever.