SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 47

Camille's point of view

The

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morning sun cast long shadows across my desk as I reviewed the latest reports on Rodriguez Shipping's supply chain. Five of their key suppliers had abruptly terminated contracts in the past twenty- four hours. Two more were scheduled to announce their withdrawal by noon Each one citing "business concerns" or "strategic realignment” corporate speak for abandoning a sinking ship.

What none of them mentioned was the quiet pressure from Kane Industries. The subtle threats about future business relationships. The anonymous tips about Rodriguez financial instability. The carefully orches "Ms. Kane." My assistant Rebecca knocked before entering, tablet in hand. "Marunouchi Trading just announced their withdrawal. Their statement hit the financial press five minutes ago."

I nodded, satisfaction warming my blood. Marunouchi was Stefan's largest Asian supplier, accounting for nearly thirty percent of his Pacific shipping materials.

"How did the market react?"

Rodriguez stock dropped another eight points in pre-

market trading" Rebecca couldn't hide her admiration. "At this rate, they'll be below their IPO price by next

week."

"And Stefan?"

"Scheduled an emergency board

meeting for tomorrow morning. His father is flying back from Europe tonight." Rebecca's efficiency reflected the months of training Victoria had invested in all staff who worked directly with me.

Good. Let him feel the walls closing in. Let him experience the helpless

panic I'd felt when my own life crumbled beneath me.

Victoria entered as Rebecca was leaving, impeccable as always in a tailored

navy suit that conveyed power without effort. Her eyes took in the market data on my screens with evident satisfaction.

"I see Marunouchi made their announcement," she said, moving to stand beside my desk. "Your strategy is working even better than projected."

She studied me, head tilted slightly. "You've done exceptional work targeting his supply chain. Where did you. obtain such detailed knowledge of their dependencies?"

neutral. “Research Planning,

talk about his company's operations. The

rare from a woman who

then mainstre My finger hovered over my keyboard, the final command queued and ready. These photos would hurt Rose far more than the first batch. Not just affairs and indiscretions, but evidence of her time with Anton Bes during negotiations

would send her professional

I pressed enter.

Victory, yes. But also something darker. Something

with that penetrating, gaze that always seemed to see beneath my carefully maintained facade. "You hesitated before pressing enter. Having

I replied, perhaps too quickly.

me for another beat before accepting my answer with a slight nod.

me on the public reaction as it

in the doorway again, as if summoned by her name. "I'll have the media team monitor reaction and amplify key narratives, Ms.

live feed from the security camera outside Rose's boutique. We'd installed it weeks ago, ensuring I could witness

It took exactly twenty-

watched her assistant rush out to the waiting car, phone extended

like the performer she'd always been, she recovered. Forced a smile.

I'd seen it. That flash of genuine fear. That

was truly falling

have felt

with a text from Alexander: "The queen takes another

and Stefan, every carefully orchestrated attack, somehow Alexander Pierce tracked them all, commenting with his odd mix of admiration and

question, focusing instead on the financial terminals tracking Rodriguez Shipping's continued decline. The stock had opened another six percent down. News alerts showed shipping custome My phone

day. Board members threatening resignation.

him experience the helpless panic I'd felt when

speculating about who might acc "Should we prepare a

respond well to hints we might acquire

replied, strategic even in

the Value drop further before

my screen, financial news channels were now covering Rodriguez Shipping's

experts speculating about who

excitement barely contained beneath her

Rose photos are performing beyond expectations. Three major fashion houses have publicly severed ties with her brand. Her main manufacturing partner just announced

"And the Russian connection?"

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