SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

INT OF VIEW

CAMILLE'S POINT OF VIEW

His words hung in the air between us, dangerous and sharp. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Ms. Kane. O should I use your previous name?"

I kept my face still, fighting the storm that raged inside my chest. Years of practice hiding emotions from Rose. Months of Victoria's merciless training. Everything in me focused on not revealing the bolt of fear th

"I'm afraid you've mistaken me for someone else," I said, withdrawing my hand from his grasp. My voice stayed perfectly steady, cool and distant. "I don't have a previous name."

Alexander Pierce studied me with those unnerving gray eyes, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Too knowing. Too certain.

"Is that so?" He tilted his head slightly, examining me as one might examine an interesting puzzle. "My mistake, then "

But his tone made it clear he believed no such thing. He wasn't backing down, merely shifting tactics.

"First public appearance?" he asked, smoothly changing subjects while maintaining uncomfortable

eye contact. Victoria has kept you well hidden until now."

"Mother believed I needed time to adjust before facing the social spotlight," I replied, using the bland explanation we'd crafted for curious questions. "European privacy has its advantages."

"European privacy," he repeated, the phrase clearly amusing him. "How... convenient."

The way he stressed that word, convenient* made my stomach tighten. This man knew something. Or thought he did. Either way, he presented a danger I hadn't prepared for

"If you'll excuse me," I began, seeking escape from this increasingly dangerous conversation. "I should..." "Should continue making the rounds?" he finished for me Of course, Victoria's careful choreography mu The way he emphasized my last name carried volumes of unspoken meaning.

"I look forward to it," I lied smoothly.

He smiled then, a genuine expression that transformed his severe features, making him appear younger, almost boyish despite his imposing presence.

said quietly. "But you

that cryptic statement, he stepped back, offering a small bow that somehow managed to be both respectful and mocking simultaneously. "Until

the crowd, people unconsciously shifting to make space for him. Despite his youth compared to most titans of industry in the

year of becoming someone new. One year of

exactly

Chapter 32

you

the crowd with her usual perfect timing. Her expression revealed nothing, but I knew her

I expected," I said carefully, aware of

silent auction displays, creating a bubble of privacy amid the

to reveal in this public setting. "He

fingers

too good. Your public presence as Camille Lewis was minimal. And Pierce has been in Asia for most of the past year." "Nevertheless," I

of the living and

my previous name."

slightly, the only indication of the

a fishing expedition," she decided. "A guess based on limited information. Pierce has always enjoyed psychological games, especially with those in my

unease growing inside me. Something in Pierce's certainty had felt too genuine, too

Victoria instructed. "The governor is waiting

foundation board members, and the Japanese investors

art acquisitions with the museum director, Impressed the foundation board with my knowledge of their programs, All while hyperaware of Pierce's presence in the room, feeling his gaze on me at unexpected moments, catching glimpses

that comes from maintaining perfect control under

privacy screen was securely in

changes to my appearance are significant. Even Rose wouldn't recognize me if we passed on th Victoria gazed out the window at the city lights, her profile sharp against the darkness. "Pierce has resources I can't always track. Intelligence networks beyond the usual corporate espionage. And

Chapter 32

needing something more concrete

truth is, I don't know how he identified you. But

through the late-night traffic, the

concerns. Finally, as we approached the

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