On their way to the airport, Allen and his wife were involved in a devastating car crash.
The vehicle was completely wrecked, and there were no survivors.
Overwhelmed by grief, grandpa Rodriguez couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.
He launched investigations both openly and discreetly, but no evidence of foul play ever surfaced.
Left with no other choice, he took Camilla under his wing, teaching her the art of medicine while keeping a vigilant eye on outsiders.
By a twist of fate, an engagement was later arranged between Camilla and the Luther Family.
But before Camilla could fully come of age, grandpa Rodriguez realized that the same shadowy figures from the past had resurfaced.
To protect her, he made the painful decision to use himself as bait—leaving the capital to divert their attention.
Just as he had anticipated, the pursuers followed him.
After months of evasion, Luna's men eventually captured him, imprisoning and interrogating him about Camilla's whereabouts.
As the memories flooded back, grandpa Rodriguez's weathered face reflected a lifetime of sorrow and resilience.
"You already know the rest," he said quietly.
Amid the tragedy, there was one silver lining—Camilla hadn't been in the car that day.
Camilla leaned against Grandpa Rodriguez's shoulder, her head bowed, her eyes filled with a storm of emotions.
"Was it really Luna who did all those things back then?"
Grandpa Rodriguez remained silent for several seconds before answering in a low, grave voice.
"Your father did suspect her at the time."
He had no knowledge of the E Kingdom's royal family, but given how that woman had later imprisoned him and interrogated him about Camilla's whereabouts, it was as good as a confession.
Camilla nodded slowly.
After a long pause, she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Grandpa... are they really gone?"
Grandpa Rodriguez knew exactly who she meant.
His heart ached as he looked at her, hesitating for a moment before nodding solemnly.
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Camilla pressed her lips together and fell silent.
"Camilla," Grandpa Rodriguez took her hand in his, his grip warm and steady.
"Tell me honestly—what do you and Sinclair plan to do?"
Camilla tightened her fingers around his, her resolve hardening.
After a long moment, she finally spoke.
"Whether it's for you, or for Mom and Dad... I won't let Luna get away with this."
Her voice was soft, yet resolute.
"As for Sinclair, he'll stand by me."
Just as expected.
Grandpa Rodriguez placed his other hand over Camilla's, his weathered fingers trembling slightly.
He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.
After all, no one knew the child he had raised better than himself.
"I know what you're worried about, Grandpa," Camilla said, deliberately lightening her tone.
"I promise you, Sinclair and I will be fine."
"Once we settle things here, I'll stay by your side and make sure you enjoy your golden years in peace."
Grandpa Rodriguez understood she was trying to reassure him and nodded along.
"Good.
You're the only family I have left in this world," he murmured, his voice hoarse with emotion.
"Don't go breaking an old man's heart now."
"Don't worry. I won't."
Despite his sharp, dignified appearance, Grandpa Rodriguez's health was far more fragile than it seemed.
After returning to the estate and discussing Stephen's leg condition for a while, he retired to his room to rest.
The forced cheerfulness gradually faded from Camilla's face.
She picked up her phone and dialed Luke.
"Come to the study."
As soon as the call ended, Luke arrived promptly.
"How are things on Sinclair's end?"
Camilla got straight to the point.
"I only want the truth."
Though Sinclair had spoken lightly of the situation, she knew it must be a bloody storm.
"The royal family has sent people to interfere," Luke reported honestly.
"But don't worry—with the men Uncle Carlos brought, the situation is still under Mr. Luther's control."
Still under control.
That meant Sinclair wasn't in danger.
Camilla nodded.
Luke wouldn't lie to her about something like this.
"How are the stock market going?"
From the very beginning, when Sinclair had taken on the Mega family, he had already been preparing to deal with the Harrison family.
Moreover, In the business world, there are no permanent friends—only permanent interests.
The moment the Harrison family shows signs of weakness, the Nolan, Thomas, and Mega families won't just stand by and watch.
Luke glanced at the real-time stock market updates on his phone and gave a slight nod.
"Mr. Thomas and our side are pretty much ready. We can close the net anytime."
Camilla nodded in response, her hand absently stroking her belly.
"Tell Mr Thomas to begin."
Mr. Harrison needed something else to occupy his time—otherwise, it wouldn't be any fun once he recovered.
"Understood," Luke replied with a firm nod.
"I'll get right to it."
After he left, Camilla turned on her computer, her fingers swiftly navigating the keyboard as she monitored Harrison Corporation's stock movements.
Her fair complexion was half-shrouded in shadow.
Just as expected, Harrison Corporation's stocks began to fluctuate under deliberate manipulation.
Right then, her phone on the desk buzzed abruptly.
"Fanny?"
Seeing the caller ID flash with that familiar name, Camilla immediately answered the call.
"Camilla—"
Tiffany's voice came through softly, carrying a trace of uncertainty as she uttered Camilla's name.
The teasing remark Camilla had been about to make died on her lips.
"What's wrong?"
"I..." Tiffany hesitated, the words caught in her throat.
"Camilla, I don't know how to say this."
The more evasive she became, the more concerned Camilla grew.
Her tone softened.
"Did Calvin do something to upset you?"
She deliberately kept her voice light, almost joking.
"If it's him, just tell me.
I'll have your back.
Nobody messes with my Fanny and gets away with it."
Apart from matters of the heart, she'd never seen Fanny this hesitant and unsettled before.
On the other end of the line, Calvin stood silently in the doorway not far behind Tiffany, holding a plate of freshly cut fruit.
Tiffany was completely absorbed in the phone call before her, oblivious to Calvin's presence. Is she talking to Camilla?
Calvin, who had just been about to set down the fruit in his hand and leave upon hearing the voice from the speakerphone, froze in his tracks the moment his own name was mentioned.
Calvin, too, wanted to know why Fany had been so downcast these past couple of days.
"Calvin hasn't bullied me.
On the contrary, he's been very good to me—exceptionally good."
At these words, both Calvin behind Tiffany and Camilla on the other end of the line let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"But there's something... I don't know if I should tell him," Tiffany hesitated, pausing briefly before continuing, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"I don't even know what to do about it..." Calvin's brow furrowed.
What could possibly be troubling Fany this much?
After a few seconds of silence, Camilla finally spoke up.
"Have you fallen for someone else?"
Calvin's breath hitched, his heart skipping a beat at the question.
For a moment, he didn't even dare to hear Fanny's answer.
"Of course not," Tiffany quickly denied. Before Calvin's heart could settle back down, Camilla's calm voice came through the speaker again.
"Did you get drunk and sleep with another man? Or do something to betray Calvin?" Calvin: ?!
If not for his strong heart, he might have dropped dead right then and there from Camilla's wild assumptions.