SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 30

CAMILLE'S POINT OF VIEW

"Five minutes until your entrance, Ms. Kane."

I nodded to James, Victoria's head of security who now shadowed me at all public events. My heartbeat quickened, but my face revealed nothing. One year of training had perfected my mask, the serene, confic

From my position in the private antechamber above the grand ballroom, I could observe without being seen. The Kane Industries Annual Charity Ball spread below me in a glittering panorama of wealth, influenc All of them waiting for their first real glimpse of

Victoria Kane's mysterious adopted daughter. The woman who had appeared seemingly from nowhere, who had closed the TechVault acquisition that business publications called "the deal of the year," who had The woman I had become.

"Are

you ready?” Victoria appeared beside me, elegant in midnight blue, silver hair swept into a sophisticated updo. Nothing

in her demeanor betrayed the significance of tonight, my official introduction to the social world that had once broken and discarded Camille Lewis.

"Bom ready," I replied, smoothing the skirt of my gown, a custom creation in deep emerald that hugged my transformed body

before flowing to the floor in liquid silk. The color had been Victoria's suggestion. "Green for rebirth," she'd said. "For growth emerging from destruction."

Victoria studied me with critical eyes, looking for flaws in my presentation. Finding none, she nodded once. Remember, this isn't merely a social event. It's reconnaissance. Intelligence gathering. Every conversa "Identify allies, locate weaknesses, establish presence," I recited our agreed strategy. "I know my role."

"Good." Victoria checked her diamond watch. "Three minutes. The announcement will come after my welcome. speech."

My fingers brushed the phoenix pendant at my throat, my talisman, my reminder of transformation through fire. Matching earrings caught the light as I turned to check my reflection

one final time in the antechamber's gilded

mirror.

one who had signed divorce papers on her anniversary a

once-

and more dramatic. Designer clothes draped a body transformed by Jason's relentless combat training, leaner, stronger, carrying itself with

Cool, assessing, confident in ways

stranger if we shared an elevator. My own parents would

sound system as she took the stage below

annual Kane Industries

Chapter 30

to the top of the grand staircase, positioning myself just out of sight of the crowd below. From here, I could see everything, the raised stage where Victoria addressed the assembled guests, the dance fl delicacies, the bar areas where the real business of the evening would

provided over two billion dollars in scholarships and program funding since its inception." Polite applause rippled through the crowd. These people hadn't come for charity, they'd come for connections, for status, for the exclusive privilege of attending

The millions raised were merely a convenient byproduct of

evening's program, I'd like to make an introduction many of you have been anticipating." Victoria's voice changed subtly, warming with what sounded to the uninitiated like maternal welcomed a daughter into

through the crowd, speculation finally

acclimate to her new role, many of you have already read about her business achievements." Victoria turned toward the staircase where I waited. "It gives me

top of the staircase. Three hundred faces turned upward, scrutinizing every detail of my appearance, hungry for first impressions they

conversations.

precisely three seconds, long enough to be noticed, not long enough to seem hesitant, before descending the stairs with practiced grace. The emerald gown

staff paused in

reached the bottom step, a gesture both welcoming and possessive. I took it,

still strange on my tongue despite months of practice. "I'm honored to join

blend of gratitude and self- assurance expected from someone worthy of the

their own reactions accor "Please, enjoy the evening," Victoria concluded, dismissing the crowd with a regal nod. "Remember, every dollar spent tonight benefits children who deserve educational

with an ambitious

Chapter 30

age. "Have you

he replied, eyes assessing me

impressively