SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 39

Stefan stared at the empty boardroom seats, his hands shaking as he reached for another glass of water. The morning's board meeting felt like a firing squad, twelve angry faces demanding explanations he did "The numbers are disastrous," Andrew Parker, head of the finance committee, sald coldly. "Sixty-

two percent stock drop. Major contracts vanishing. Suppliers backing out. And you still can't tell us what's happening?" "I've had every analyst working around the clock," Stefan replied, hating the weakness in h multiple directions. Every time we plug one hole, three more appear.”

"Attacks?" Parker's laugh held no warmth. "Or just incompetence?"

Other board members muttered in agreement. Three hours of defending himself, showing reports, promising solutions –

none of it mattered. They wanted his head.

"A vote has been called," Thomas Chen announced, his voice heavy with false regret. "On the immediate removal of Stefan Rodriguez as Chief Executive Officer of Rodriguez Shipping International."

Stefan's stomach turned to ice. This wasn't happening. The company had survived world wars, countless crises. Now it was crumbling and he couldn't even identify the enemy. "All in favor..."

Cconomic crashes.

The boardroom doors flew open. Eduardo Rodriguez filled the doorway, commanding attention without speaking a word. Stefan had never been so grateful to see his father. "This meeting is suspended," Eduardo announced, moving to the head of the table. "By authority of the family's controlling shares."

Parker stood, face flushed. "Mr. Rodriguez, with respect, the board has authority to..."

"The board has what authority I permit it to have." Eduardo's voice could have frozen fire. "Right now, I'm permitting you all to leave while I speak with my son." Nobody moved.

suggestion." Eduardo's eyes swept the room

look that promised this wasn't finished. When the door

son

a disappointment." Eduardo's words cut deep. "But you're still my son Still a

stared at his hands. "Someone's targeting us. Every move we make, they're three steps ahead. It's like they know our playbook better

the window. "Too focused on that Lewis girl to protect

to do

has everything to do with it." Eduardo

"Please don't bring her

She understood business. Understood loyalty. Then she has some convenient accident

sister?" His father's eyes narrowed. Even I can see something

that night... "The board wants you gone," Eduardo continued. "They're not wrong. You've let someone gut this com "I know." The words tasted like ash. "I'll resign. Save everyone the

up, confused,

slightly. "Despite everything, you're my blood. I've convinced the board to

faintly.

deserve the Rodriguez name." His father's expression hardened again. "But there are

there were. There always were with Eduardo

"What conditions?"

this wedding circus.

wouldn't like it, but she'd have