SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 45

Camille's point of view

Five screens glowed on the wall of Victoria's private office, each displaying a different fashion blog. The headline on Fashion Insider screamed in bold type: "ROSE LEWIS: FASHION'S FEMME FATALE?" Belov clock on her desk showed 9:07 AM. The story had been live for exactly twelve minutes, and already the view counter showed over three thousand clicks.

"Perfectly timed," Victoria said, satisfaction evident in her voice. "The fashion industry wakes up, checks their morning feeds, and finds their darling, exposed.”

I nodded, a strange mix of emotions washing through me. Satisfaction, yes. The first real blow against Rose's carefully constructed image. But something else too, something I hadn't expected. A hollow feeling Was this really victory? Releasing photos that had been easy to obtain, evidence of sins that seemed almost trivial compared to what she'd

done to me?

"Ms. Kane? Ms. Camille?" My assistant Rebecca knocked before entering, tablet in hand, excitement barely contained. "You wanted updates on the Rose Lewis situation?" Victoria motioned her forward "Report"

"The story's spreading faster than projected. It's hit three major fashion blogs in the last five minutes. Social media engagement is exploding." Rebecca handed Victoria the tablet. "Her publicist has already issue Victoria's lips curved into a rare smile as she scrolled through the data. "And the hashtag we planted?"

"#Rose Thoms is trending in New York and Los Angeles." Rebecca couldn't hide her admiration. "The influencers we prepped are amplifying exactly as planned."

I leaned forward, scanning the social media metrics on the tablet. “Her brand partners?"

"Panicking" Rebecca's smile widened. "Three have already reached out to their legal teams about morality clauses in their contracts."

Victoria handed me the tablet, our eyes meeting; briefly. This moment, the first real strike against Rose, was what we'd been building toward for months.

"I want to see her," I said suddenly. "When she gets the news."

raised an

explain the hunger inside me.

enough to

nodded. "Rebecca, have James position Ms. Kane near the

Thirty minutes later, I

Rose's flagship store in the Fashion District. Tinted windows ensured no one could see me, but I had a perfect view of the boutique's glass front. Rose arrived at 9:50, looking i Then I saw it. The moment her assistant rushed out, phone

I could read the shock in her body language. The momentary loss of control as her practiced

my sister's face. Then, like the performer she'd always been, she recovered, Smiled tightly, Waved off the photographers. Walked into her boutique w But I'd seen it. That moment of pure, unfiltered fear. That

tasted like honey on

the story's spread through more mainstream media. By noon, three major fashion magazines had picked it up. By two,

to see how bad

and undeniable. The first true strike in my campaign against

did part of me still

on the next phase.

her watch. "Three days. Let this first scandal fully develop before introducing the next. Maximum

just beginning to recover from

found comfort in

buzzed with a text message. I glanced down, expecting another update

updates. Remind me never to cross you, little phoenix. Though I must say, hotel security footage

my neck as 1 quickly darkened the phone screen. How had he known? We'd been so careful, ensuring no connection

sharp eyes missed nothing

too quickly. "Just a

returned to the reports. "Tomorrow we'll monitor the fallout and prepare for phase two. The