SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

"You'll attend the Bellamy Gallery auction in my place tonight," Victoria said, not looking up from the docume spread across her desk. The statement carried the weight of command rather than request. Camille paused by the doorway of Victoria's home office. "The Bellamy auction? Isn't that where..."

"Yes," Victoria confirmed, finally glancing up with calculating eyes. "According to my sources, both Rose and Stefan will be in attendance. Rose has been desperately trying to secure a meeting with Kane Indust Camille's heart quickened. "To see them?"

"To observe their dynamics in a neutral setting. To understand exactly what you're up against." Victoria rose fro her chair, moving to stand before Camille with critical

assessment. "The question is whether you're ready." "I've spent months preparing," Camille replied, steadying her voice. "I've changed everything about myself. The won't recognize me."

Victoria's expression remained unconvinced. "Physical transformation is only part of it. Can you maintain your composure when you see the man who abandoned you with the sister who betrayed you?" The question struck like a physical blow, but Camille didn'flinch. "Yes."

"Even when anger threatens to overwhelm you? When every instinct screams to reveal yourself?"

"Yes," Camille repeated, more firmly this time.

Victoria studied her for a long moment before nodding once "The Dior in midnight blue. Simple diamond studs. Your hair swept back. You are Camille Kane tonight, confident, untouchable. Remember, you aren' them. You're there to remind yourself why all of this is necessary. Remember who you are now, Camille Kane. My daughter. My heir." With those words lingering in her mind, Camille prepared for the evening ah The evening at the gallery had drawn Manhattan's elite like moths to flame, their jewelry catching light beneath crystal chandeliers. Through the glittering crowd, Camille saw them first, Rose and Stefan entering composed face.

She kept her

champagne glass steady, maintained her pleasant expression as she

discussed upcoming exhibitions with the museum curator. But beneath that

polished exterior, her pulse quickened with a mix of rage and anticipation. They moved through the room like they owned it, Rose's practiced laugh carrying over the general chatter, Stefan's hand resting posse: When the curator excused himself, Camille knew what was coming. She watched Rose's predatory gaze

scan the room, noting faces, calculating connections. The moment her sister spotted her, those familiar eyes lit with Interest, registering the designer dress, the subtle jewelry, the way other guests deferred to h "I don't believe we've been properly

introduced," Rose pured, extending her hand with practiced grace. "Rose Lewis. And this is my fiancé, Stefan Rodriguez."

Camille accepted the hand that had once straightened her wedding veil, fought back the urge to either crush it or recoil. "Camille Kane. A pleasure."

watched confusion flicker across Stefan's face at her name, quickly masked but

+25 BON

Chapter 34

her eyes as she processed the surname. "Kate... any relation to Victoria Kane?" The casual tone

simply, watching that information

to make since her

with Kane Industries.

"How fascinating!"

slightly, like sharing a confidence. "I've long admired your mother's business acumen. In fact, I recently had the pleasure of meeting with one

Camille

the slight smile Victoria had taught her, one that offered nothing while suggesting everything "Yes, I believe I saw the proposal

shifted his weight, something about her clearly needling at his subconscious. "I'm sorry,

even as her heart thundered

of my life in Europe. Only recently

though doubt lingered in his expression.

with renewed warmth. "We simply must have lunch soon. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the current fashion landscape, Perhaps next week?" "I'm afraid my schedule is quite full," Camille demurred, using the subtle dismissal Victoria had drilled into her." But do keep in touch with our investment team. I'm sure they'll be in contact once decisions are ma She watched Rose's smile tighten almost imperceptibly. Her sister wasn't used to being the one seeking favor rather than granting it. The role reversal clearly unsettled her, though she recovered quickly. "Of course," Rose said smoothly. "We won't keep you

away, Camille maintained her composed expression while victory sang through her veins. They hadn't recognized her. The woman they had methodically destroyed stood right before them, and

sanctuary, allowing her to study her reflection, the sharp cheekbones that had replaced solter features, the elegantly styled hair so different from her former length, the confidence in her postu But that

took every ounce of control not to reveal

my assist Camille met her sister's eyes in the mirror, the same eyes that had watched Stefan sign divorce papers on her anniversary, that had feigned sympathy while stealing her husband, that had

hidra

I'm afraid your timing

smile faltered slightly. "I don't

space Camille turned to face her directly, allowing just a hint of the truth to color her words. "Sometimes no matter how hard we try,

her polished smile." Everything works out exactly as

Camille agreed smoothly. "But not always in the way