SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Camille's point of view

The

-

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?"

expression neutral.

spent listening to Stefan talk

genuine approval, rare from

in the doorway. "Ms. Kane, just a reminder that the second batch of Rose's photos is scheduled to release at noon. Entertainment sites first, then fashion blogs, then mainstre My finger hovered over my keyboard, the final command queued and ready. These photos would hurt Rose far more than the first

would send her professional reputation from damaged to

I pressed enter.

yes. But also something darker. Something that felt uncomfortably like

that always seemed to see beneath my carefully maintained facade. "You hesitated

too quickly. "Just savoring the

accepting my answer with a slight nod.

ned two. Have Rebecca update me on the public reaction

as if summoned by her name. "I'll have the media team monitor reaction and amplify

pulled up the live feed from the security camera outside Rose's boutique. We'd installed it weeks

It took exactly twenty-

I watched her assistant rush out to the waiting car, phone extended urgently. Saw

the performer she'd

I'd seen it. That flash of genuine

constructed life was truly falling

have felt

buzzed with a text from Alexander: "The queen takes another piece from the board.

know? Every strike against Rose and Stefan, every carefully orchestrated attack, somehow Alexander Pierce tracked them all, commenting with his

away the question, focusing instead on the financial terminals tracking Rodriguez Shipping's continued decline. The stock had opened another six

Stefan locked in emergency meetings all day. Board members

the update. Let him feel the walls closing in. Let him experience the helpless panic

screens, financial news channels were now covering Rodriguez Shipping's crisis as breaking news. Market analysts questioning the company's survival. Industry experts speculating about who might acc "Should we prepare a statement about Kane Inchistries' interest in certain Rodriguez assets?" Victoria asked, watching

to hints we

I replied, strategic even

drop further before showing

my screen, financial news channels were now covering

Market analysts questioning the company's survival. Industry experts speculating about who might acquire their routes

returned, excitement barely contained beneath her

Kane, the Rose photos are performing beyond expectations. Three major fashion houses have publicly severed ties with her brand. Her main

"And the Russian connection?"