Rising from Betrayal

Chapter 009

“Who the hell are you?”

Camille froze for a beat.

"I'm Camille, Viv's best friend. What, you think I don't have the right to call you out?"

Norman let out a cold snort.

"Who the hell asked for your opinion? Mind your own damn business. Now get lost, you bitch!"

Click.

The line went dead.

"What?!" Camille stared at the darkened screen.

Nobody had ever hung up on her before. Her face burned with humiliation.

Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Norman calmly dropped Camille's number to his blacklist before tossing the phone onto the table.

He already knew exactly why Camille had called.

Women like Camille had no sense of shame.

Facts never mattered to them.

They only cared about taking sides, protecting their own interests, and always wanting more.

So why wast his time?

Birds of a feather flock together.

Camille's love life had always been a complete mess.

Even in his previous life, the gossip surrounding her and her sugar daddys had never stopped.

Just hearing her voice again was enough to make him sick.

He finished the last bite of steak, drained his wine in one gulp, then looked toward the kitchen.

"Mrs. Walker."

The old woman appeared from the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron. "Yes, Mr. Calloway?"

"Pack up Vivienne's things." Norman's voice was calm, but absolute. "All of it. Clothes, cosmetics, anything in the bedroom. Box it up and throw it out of this apartment."

Mrs. Walker blinked.

"And contact building management and security.” Norman continued calmly, "Have them revoke Vivienne's access card and parking privileges. Tonight. I don't want strangers walking into my home."

For a brief moment, Mrs. Walker thought she’d misheard him.

Then her eyes lit up.

One year she had worked in this apartment.

For that entire year, she’d watched Vivienne come and go as she pleased, constantly belittling Norman while he swallowed all of it in silence.

Whenever Vivienne lost her temper, reason went out the window.

She cursed Norman.

Insulted him.

Sometimes she even smacked him.

And if that wasn't enough, Mrs. Walker often became the next target.

Nothing she did was ever right.

Meals arrived too early. Too late. Too hot. Too cold.

Vivienne could always find something to complain about.

At her age, Mrs. Walker had thought about quitting more than once. But Norman had always treated her with kindness.

He paid her well, respected her, and every time she tried to resign, he sincerely asked her to stay.

So she stayed.

Now, his attitude couldn't have been clearer.

He wasn't acting on impulse or trying to scare Vivienne.

He had truly decided to end the marriage. Without Vivienne's endless drama and volatile temper, this home might finally know some peace.

"Of course, Mr. Calloway," Mrs. Walker replied with a smile she hadn't worn in a long time. "I'll take care of it right away."

She turned toward the master bedroom, her steps noticeably lighter than usual.

Meanwhile...

Back at Imperial Lounge.

The atmosphere had changed.

The men who had been competing over drinks and taking turns at the pool table noticeably lowered their voices.

Even their movements slowed as everyone's attention drifted toward the corner.

Camille stared at the dark screen in disbelief, her face burning with humiliation, as though she’d just been slapped across the face.

"He insulted me!" she snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "That bastard actually insulted me!"

She had never been treated like that before. At least, not this openly.

Vivienne sat beside her, her expression darkened after hearing Camille recount the call.

Norman's behavior hadn't just angered her, it had embarrassed her.

For years, she'd bragged to Camille that Norman obeyed her like a loyal lapdog.

At home, her word was law.

If she wanted to go out, she went out.

If she wanted to spend time with another man, Norman never dared question her.

If she wanted a luxury handbag, designer jewelry, or the latest cosmetics, Norman bought them without complaint.

She had always believed Norman would tolerate anything.

Never once had she imagined he'd lose his temper.

Much less yell at her best friend.

In a matter of minutes, every boast she'd ever made had been shattered.

She had never felt so humiliated.

But underneath that anger and humiliation, something smaller and quieter whispered that Norman had never been like this before.

She drowned that whisper before it could grow.

Across the room, Nathan and the others had stopped what they were doing.

Some still held their glasses.

Others rested their pool cues against the table.

They were all watching.

Nathan took a slow sip of his wine.

For the first time that night, something didn't feel like a win.

Although no one said a word, Vivienne could feel every pair of eyes on her.

Her cheeks burned.

Damn Norman!

Forcing a smile, she brushed it off.

"It's nothing." She waved a hand dismissively. "I know Norman better than anyone. He's just throwing a tantrum. Ignore him for a while and he'll be calling me within half an hour to apologize."