Love Burnt Baby Stayed (by Nina R.Calder) novel Chapter 227

Chapter 227 She Was Possessive Over Shepard

After all, Dreamscape Corporation couldn’t be left entirely in Charles’s hands.

Otherwise, Charles had no idea what kind of mess he’d make of it.

Charles nodded. “Yeah, Camila was personally interviewed and hired by Mr. Carter. She’s got the skills, the education, and everything else. She’s top–notch.”

Briana just gave a noncommittal hum, her expression still cool and distant.

Just then, the secretary came in carrying a tray of coffee.

She set the first cup in front of Shepard. “Mr. Carter, please enjoy.”

“Hold on,” Camila said, glancing at the cup. “That’s not the coffee Mr. Carter usually drinks. Seriously, how do you not remember something so basic? Go brew a fresh pot.”

“Y–Yes, Ms. Terrell,” the secretary stammered.

She quickly took the cup away.

“Forget it,” Camila said, clearly not trusting her. She stood up. “I’ll do it myself. You clearly don’t know how to make coffee.”

She strode out of the conference room.

Briana looked up, watching Camila’s figure disappear from sight, and then her eyes flicked over to Charles.

Charles gave her a meaningful look.

But Briana just ignored him completely.

She sat there in silence, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, lost in her own thoughts.

Shepard had been confused at first, but now he was finally starting to sense something was off.

First of all, Camila was acting totally different from usual.

Yeah, Camila was the head of the business department at Dreamscape Corporation, and he was the one who’d hired her.

Given her qualifications, she’d originally applied for a mid–level management position at Carter Group, but Shepard thought she was a perfect fit for Dreamscape Corporation, so he’d just transferred her over on his own.

Normally, Camila would never dress like this.

She was always the sharp, no–nonsense businesswoman type.

But today, she was all flirty and girly, a complete 180 from her usual vibe.

He thought, ‘And why was Camila so particular about the coffee in front of him? And why did she volunteer to get him a fresh cup in front of everyone?

‘That feels a bit out of bounds, almost suggestive.

‘She’s just my subordinate.

‘I’m her superior.

Finally, Shepard caught Charles giving Briana a knowing look, and that instantly reminded him of the scheme. Charles had suggested to him earlier that morning.

Suddenly, it all made sense to Shepard. He finally understood what was going on.

Camila was the ‘love rival‘ Charles had arranged to mess with Briana and get under her skin.

Charles really didn’t waste any time.

And he didn’t even check with Shepard first.

He just took matters into his own hands.

Shepard pressed his lips together, shooting Charles a look full of irritation.

Charles glanced at him, and then casually looked away like nothing had happened.

‘Forget it, I’ll just roll with it for now, Charles thought, resigning himself to the situation.

“Let’s get started,” Briana said, breaking the silence in the conference room. “I’m really sorry, everyone.

“I’ve been so focused on Dreamscape Gallery lately that I haven’t been able to give Dreamscape Corporation as much attention as I should… Thanks for holding down the fort.”

The meeting officially began.

Five minutes later, Camila walked back in, carrying a fresh cup of coffee.

She thoughtfully walked over to Shepard, leaned in, and gently placed the cup on the table with both hands.

After serving the coffee, she quietly returned to her seat.

During the meeting, Camila kept glancing over at Shepard, sometimes on purpose, sometimes just out of habit.

Briana was seated right between them, and she noticed every bit of it.

The good thing was that Shepard didn’t react or pay her any attention.

Briana was feeling seriously jealous.

No matter what she did, she just couldn’t get rid of that gnawing feeling inside.

If Shepard was actually into Camila, maybe she’d be able to accept it.

She could let them have each other.

He thought, ‘Wait, could it be…?

‘Did it kick in this fast?‘

Honestly, Camila was a real force in the workplace. Whenever she spoke up, her logic was crystal clear, she was quick on her feet, and she just oozed confidence, never even breaking a sweat.

She was the kind of standout career woman people just couldn’t ignore.

As soon as Shepard said, “That’s it for today’s meeting“, Briana shot up from her seat.

“I… I’m just going to the restroom,” she blurted out.

She practically bolted out of the room.

It was almost like she was fleeing the scene.

The rest of the team trickled out, leaving just Shepard, Charles, and Camila alone in the conference room.

As soon as the door closed, Camila let out a long, relieved sigh.

All that flirty, girlish vibe from before instantly vanished. She was back to her usual cool, collected, and professional self.

“Mr. Lane,” Camila said with a grin, “my acting, my whole performance, and my sense for timing… I totally crushed it, right? I deserve a perfect score, don’t I?”

Charles shook his head. “Nope, I’m giving you 101. That extra point’s for showing off. Wear it with pride.”

He couldn’t be happier.

She fit the bill perfectly.

Back then, Charles was trying to figure out which woman would make the perfect ‘love rival‘.

After weighing his options, he decided Camila was the best choice.

And it went just as expected.

Camila flipped her hair with a teasing grin. “For Mr. Carter’s happiness, I’m more than willing to play the part.” “We’re counting on you,” Charles said. “Just stay flexible and improvise as things come up… But whatever you do, don’t screw it up and actually piss Briana off. You need to keep it subtle and not cross the line.”

“Relax, Mr. Lane,” Camila said with a playful wink. “I’ve got this.”

Shepard just sat quietly, taking it all in as he listened to their conversation.

He looked up and glanced between Charles and Camila.

Camila shot him a playful smile.

Shepard finally spoke up, his voice calm but unmistakably stern. “Did you have my permission to go ahead with all this?”

Camila just shrugged, palms up. “Mr. Carter, I’m doing this for your own good. Besides, Mr. Lane practically begged me for ages before I finally said yes.”

“Why are you messing around with Charles?” Shepard said, his voice edged with annoyance.