Chapter 10 - The New Legacy
One month later.
The historic Royal Street building that had once housed the Ashmore and Vance Auction House stood under a new brass plaque fixed to the entrance:
THE THIBODEAUX HISTORICAL ARCHIVE AND TRUST
Inside the grand ballroom, where Camille had once waxed the marble floor in a gray uniform, scholars, historians, and local residents gathered for the opening exhibition of historic Louisiana documents.
The ancient 1784 French manifest sat in a bulletproof glass display case in the center of the room, fully translated and documented.
Camille stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Royal Street, wearing an elegant cream silk suit. She held a glass of champagne, watching the guests admire her father's restored collection.
Lorenzo Vance stepped up beside her, holding his gold-topped cane, looking out at the French Quarter.
"It suits you, Mademoiselle Thibodeaux," Lorenzo said smoothly. "Running the most prestigious archive in the South."
Camille smiled, taking a slow sip of her champagne. "It's a start, Mr. Vance. My father always said that history belongs to those who take the time to read it properly."
"And what does your history say about your future?" Lorenzo asked, turning his sharp dark eyes toward her.
Camille turned to face him, her eyes bright with confidence and endless possibility.
May you like
"It says I will never stand against the back wall again," Camille said softly.
Lorenzo rumbled a low, genuine laugh, raising his glass to hers. The crystal chimed softly under the warm glow of the chandeliers, echoing through a room that would never laugh at Camille Thibodeaux again.
