Chapter 22: Secrets in the Shadows
The door slammed shut behind Julian with a finality that reverberated through the room. Cambria’s heart raced, but her face remained a mask of cold precision. She had spent years mastering control of herself and of every situation she found herself in, and Julian’s sudden appearance wouldn’t change that.
He stood by the doorway, his posture tense but confident. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by something darker and more desperate. He knew something. And that was never a good sign.
"You look surprised," Julian said, his voice tinged with amusement. "Were you expecting someone else?"
Maddox, who had been standing in the background, frozen in place, took a step forward. His jaw clenched. "What the hell are you doing here, Julian?"
Julian’s eyes never left Cambria. He wasn’t interested in Maddox’s questions; his attention was fixed solely on her. The intensity in his gaze sent a ripple through Cambria, but she pushed it down, focusing instead on the one thing that mattered now, her plan.
"We need to talk, Cambria," Julian continued, his tone low, his words deliberate. "I know you’ve been busy building your empire, but it seems you’ve forgotten a few things. Things that matter more than your little war with Elena."
Cambria’s eyes narrowed. She had no intention of giving him the satisfaction of reacting, but the presence of Julian in her space, after everything that had passed between them, unsettled her. Her mind raced, calculating her next move. His appearance wasn’t a coincidence. And neither was the message he had just sent.
"I haven’t forgotten anything," Cambria said, her voice smooth and cutting. "You’ve already shown me where your loyalties lie."
Julian tilted his head slightly, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "You misunderstand me. My loyalties are with myself, and I think you’re beginning to realize that. This war you’ve started... It’s bigger than both of us."
He stepped forward, his shoes clicking against the marble floor, the sound echoing through the vast space of her penthouse. Each step felt like a challenge, but Cambria didn’t flinch. She had no time for his games.
"I don’t need your help," she said, her eyes steely. "If you’ve come here to try and stop me, you’re wasting your time."