SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Camille's point of view

The private investigation office smelled of coffee and secrets. I sat across from Martin Wells, retired NYPD detective turned high-

end investigator, watching him spreid photos across his desk like playing cards.

"Four affairs during her time in London," he said, tapping grainy Image of Rose entering a hotel with a man who wasn't Stefan. "Two with married executives. One with a British lord. One with her fashion mentor

Something cold settled in my stomach as I picked up the photo, Rose, laughing, hand tucked possessively into the arm of a silver-

haired man twenty years her senior. The timestamp showed a date just three weeks after I'd married Stefan

"You're certain these are authentic?" I kept my voice steady, professional. Victoria had taught me never to show emotion

during business dealings, even when the business was revenge.

Wells nodded, sliding more photos toward me. “Verified by three different sources. Ms Lewis was... busy during her fashion apprenticeship.”

And these men? They'll confirm the relationships if approached?"

"Two already have." Wells handed me a flash drive. "Recorded statements. Nothing explicitly naming her, but enough detail to make identification obvious. The British lord refused comment, but his ex- wife was quite forthcoming about why their marriage ended."

I studied another photo, Rose leaving a London apartment at dawn, still wearing evening clothes from the night before. The man in the doorway behind her was recognizable as Jonathan Hayes, whose wife ha "Mrs. Hayes fired her a week after this was taken," Wells commented. "Publicly claimed it was due to 'creative differences.' Privately told friends it was for sleeping with her husband."

The revelation shouldn't have surprised me. Rose had always taken what she wanted, regardless of who got hurt. Yet seeing actual evidence of her betrayals while I had remained loyal to Stefan sent a wave of

Wells

grimaced. "Harder to prove, but multiple sources confirm Rose borrowed' design

concepts from other. apprentices. Three designs she claimed as her own match sketches that mysteriously disappeared from colleagues.

workstations."

familiar it made my chest ache. Rose had been doing this her entire life, stealing others' work, others' relationships, others' chances.

Paris, but we can only place her there for three months. After that, she surfaces in Monaco," He slid across several photos that made my breath catch. Rose, barely recognizable with platinum blonde hair, hanging on the

Chapter 44

stared at my sister's face in the photo.

to ensure her best angle was

"How long?"

countries. Then disappeared from his life

at exclusive boutiques. The timestamp indicated just two weeks before she'd returned

records?" I asked,

back, letting this new information settle. Rose, my perfect, polished sister, had been a kept woman for a suspected criminal. Had potentially helped launder money, Had certainly been unfaithful to Stefan be "We've compiled everything into a comprehensive dossier, Wells handed me a thick envelope. "Photos, statements, financial records, timeline. Everything, verified

nodded, clutching the envelope that held

second payment will be transferred today. Thank

Kane." Wells

dig into Rose Lewis's past? What does Kane Industries gain from this

Victoria's heir. That the woman in those photos had stolen my husband, possibly arranged my "death," certainly

envelope sat heavy on my lap, filled with evidence of Rose's

I'd wondered why people chose

better, she'd simply been willing to do things I

phone buzzed Victoria checking

Her message

than expected. I replied, fingers hovering over the keys before adding: She's worse than we

Phase two begins tomorrow. Release the first photo to that fashion blogger

wanted, Wasn't it? To expose Rose's lies? To destroy

of me wondered what it said about me that I was now using the same tactics Rose had always employed. Manipulation Secrets.

her in my

to me sometimes, sharper cheekbones, more defined jawline,

again, spreading the photos across my lap. Rose's secret life. Rose's hidden scandals. Rose's true natu By this time tomorrow, the first

The world would start to see what

yes, but also sadness for the sister I'd once