Chapter 4
The moment Camille walked out of the Laurent mansion, the atmosphere inside the living room turned unbearably tense.
The grand crystal chandelier cast cold light over everyone’s faces, but no one spoke for several seconds.
Talia softly broke the silence first. “…Thirty-five percent is too much.”
Her voice was gentle, hesitant, almost as though she were reluctant to say it aloud. Yet the moment those words fell, every member of the Laurent family stiffened.
Raoul’s expression darkened immediately. “She actually dared to threaten us with Grandpa’s shares?”
Etienne scoffed coldly. “She’s only been back for six months, yet she already thinks she can challenge the family.”
Dahlia, their mother rubbed her temples with visible frustration. “I really don’t understand why Camille has become so unreasonable lately.”
“Unreasonable?” Cedric Laurent’s face was gloomy. “She practically implied she could turn against the family at any moment.”
Talia bit her lip softly before speaking in a careful tone. “Maybe…Camille just feels insecure.”
“Insecure?” Raoul let out a cold laugh. “Talia, stop making excuses for her. We’ve already tolerated enough.”
“Tolerated?” Etienne sneered. “We gave her a home, status, money, and shares worth billions. What else does she want?”
No one answered. Because deep down, they all knew the real problem.
Those shares. Thirty-five percent of the Laurent Corporation.
Even among wealthy families, that amount was terrifying. If Camille truly wanted trouble, she could shake the entire Laurent Group.
Cedric’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “We cannot allow those shares to remain completely under her control.”
Lucien looked startled. “Dad…”
“She’s too emotional and impulsive,” Cedric said coldly. “If she does something reckless, the company’s reputation will suffer.”
Raoul immediately nodded. “Dad’s right.”
“We should temporarily freeze her shareholder authority,” Etienne added.
Lucien frowned. “That won’t be easy. Grandpa personally transferred those shares to her.”
Cedric’s expression hardened. “I built this family with my own hands. I refuse to let a little girl threaten it.”
Talia lowered her gaze quietly, hiding the satisfaction flashing through her eyes.
Everything was unfolding exactly the way she wanted. The Laurents had already begun viewing Camille as a danger.
Perfect.
Lucien stood up abruptly. “I’ll go bring her back.”
Everyone looked at him.
Dahlia sighed. “Go quickly then. Knowing Camille’s temper, she’s probably crying somewhere right now.”
Etienne laughed mockingly. “She’ll calm down once she realizes she can’t survive without this family.”
Talia softly added, “Big Brother…don’t be too harsh on Camille. She’s probably just upset.”
Lucien gave a brief nod before walking outside. The moment he stepped out of the mansion, cool night air hit his face.
The massive Laurent estate stood illuminated beneath golden lights, luxurious and imposing.
But Lucien froze after only a few steps.
A black Maybach had just pulled up outside the mansion gates.
Not an ordinary luxury car. A globally limited-edition model. Lucien’s eyes narrowed sharply.
Even within elite circles, very few people possessed that particular car.
The driver quickly stepped out and respectfully opened the back door. Camille stood there calmly, one hand holding her bag, her expression indifferent.
Then Lucien heard the driver say respectfully. “Miss Camille, Mr. Moretti sent me to pick you up.”
Lucien’s pupils shrank instantly.
Moretti?
Before he could react, Camille calmly entered the car and door shut smoothly.
Seconds later, the Maybach disappeared into the night without hesitation.
Lucien stood rooted in place. His mind buzzed slightly.
Dante Moretti?
The Dante Moretti?
Impossible. How could Camille possibly know someone like that?
The Moretti family was in an entirely different league from the Laurents. Old money. Political influence. Underground power.
Even the Laurent family had to show respect when mentioning the Moretti name.
And yet…Dante Moretti had personally sent a car for Camille?
Lucien’s expression grew complicated.
Back inside the mansion, the family immediately looked toward him when he returned alone.
“Well?” Raoul asked impatiently. “Where is she?”
Lucien remained silent for two seconds before speaking slowly. “She left.”
Etienne rolled his eyes. “Obviously.”
Lucien sat down heavily. “A Maybach picked her up.”
The room instantly quieted.
Dahlia blinked. “A…what?”
“A globally limited-edition Maybach,” Lucien repeated grimly.
Raoul frowned immediately. “You sure?”
“I know what I saw.”
Even Cedric’s expression shifted slightly now. That kind of car was not something ordinary wealthy people could casually own.
Etienne laughed awkwardly. “Maybe you mistook the model.”
Lucien looked irritated. “Do you think I can’t recognize a car?”
Silence fell again. For the first time tonight, uncertainty appeared on everyone’s faces.
Because Camille’s behavior today truly had been different. Almost as though she had found another backing.
Dahlia slowly frowned. “Did she…say who sent it?”
Lucien hesitated briefly. “The driver mentioned Moretti.”
The moment that surname fell, everyone’s expressions changed. Even Cedric straightened slightly.
“The Moretti family?” Raoul blurted out.
“That’s impossible,” Etienne immediately denied. “How could Camille know people like them?”
Dahlia looked visibly shaken. Only Talia remained calm.
Very calmly, she let out a small laugh. “You’re all overthinking this. Camille probably rented the car.”
Raoul blinked. “Rented it?”
“It makes sense,” Talia continued gently. “After arguing with the family, she wanted to preserve her pride. So she hired a luxury car to make herself look impressive.”
The more she spoke, the more reasonable it sounded.
Etienne instantly sneered. “That definitely sounds like something Camille would do.”
Raoul relaxed visibly. “Exactly. She’s always cared too much about appearances.”
Dahlia sighed in relief. “For a moment, I really thought she had gotten involved with someone dangerous.”
Cedric coldly snorted. “A girl like Camille could never enter the Moretti circle.”
Lucien frowned slightly. Something still felt wrong. The driver’s attitude had been far too respectful to seem fake. But before he could think deeper, Talia suddenly lowered her head sadly.
“Maybe this is all my fault.”
Dahlia immediately held her hand. “Talia, don’t think nonsense.”
Talia’s eyes turned red instantly. “If I had never come into this family, Camille wouldn’t hate all of you so much…”
Raoul instantly softened. “How many times do we have to tell you? None of this is your fault.”
Etienne sat beside her protectively. “You are our sister. That will never change.”
Talia forced out a trembling smile. “I’m really lucky… to have all of you.”
Dahlia pulled her into a hug immediately. “You’ll always be my daughter.”
Raoul looked disgusted as he thought of Camille. “Honestly, I still can’t believe she’s actually related to us.”
Etienne scoffed. “Talia was raised with elegance and class. Camille acts like some ungrateful outsider.”
“She came back from nowhere and immediately started causing trouble,” Dahlia added tiredly. “Not even a little gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Talia leaned quietly against Dahlia’s shoulder, hiding the victorious smile in her eyes.
The family gradually relaxed again.
Soon, they completely convinced themselves Camille’s display had been nothing more than a desperate attempt to save face.
After all, how could a girl abandoned at birth possibly know someone powerful enough to reach the level of Dante Moretti?
