SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Rose point of view

The showroom that had once been my pride now felt like a tomb, Silent. Empty. Abandoned. I moved between the clothing racks, touching fabrics that represented thousands of hours of work. My spring collecti pushing" and "career defining" just weeks ago, hung untouched, unsold,

unwanted.

My phone buzzed for the twentieth time that morning. Another cancellation, no doubt. Another buyer pulling orders. Another door slamming shut.

I ignored it, continuing my lonely tour through what remained of my empire. The front desk sat vacant, I'd had to let Jessica go yesterday, along with three other staff members. The remaining team worked from The quiet made the memories louder. The launch party for this collection just two months ago. Champagne flowing. Music pulsing. Fashion editors praising my "visionary aesthetic." Buyers from luxury stores ar All gone.

In the back office, financial reports covered my desk in a sea of red numbers. The phone rang again, my lawyer's name flashing on the screen. I answered this time, bracing for more bad news.

Rose, Mark's voice carried the careful tone people use with the terminally ill. "Neiman Marcus just pulled their entire order."

My fingers tightened on the phone. Neiman had been my biggest supporter from the beginning. Their spring order represented nearly a million dollars in revenue.

"They can't do that," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "We have a contract."

"They're invoking the morality clause, Paragraph sixteen, section B. The same one Saks used yesterday."

Another blow. Another cut. I sank into my chair, legs suddenly unable to support my weight.

"What about Bergdorf?" I asked, though I already knew the answer from his silence.

"Their email came five minutes ago. I was about to call you?

Three major department stores in twenty-

four hours. Each one citing the same "reputational concerns" after the photos of me with Anton Bessonov had spread through every fashion publication.

"What about the spring production run?" I asked, mind racing to find some path forward. "We've already started manufacturing"

Mark hesitated. "That's the other thing. Stellar Fabrics called this morning. They're canceling delivery of the

materials."

The room tilted sideways. Stellar was our main supplier. Without their specialized fabrics, we couldn't produce anything, not the spring collection, not even basic pieces to keep cash flowing "They can't back out!" My voice rose despite my efforts to remain calm. "We prepaid half the order!"

"They're refunding the deposit, but the contract has the same morality clause as the others. Rose, someone went through your agreements very carefully. Every major partner has the same exit provision." Chapter 49

Ice spread through my veins. This wasn't bad luck or coincidence. This was planned. Executed with precision by someone who wanted to destroy me completely.

"Who would do this, Mark? Who wants to ruin me?"

"It could be any competitor in the industry. Fashion is..."

"No," I cut him off. "This feels personal. The timing of the photo leaks. The coordination of the contract cancellations. Someone is orchestrating this."

Mark sighed. "I've reached out to my contacts at the other fashion houses. No one seems to know where the photos originated. They just appeared simultaneously on multiple blogs, like they were seeded delib My mind raced through possibilities. Jealous designers? Industry rivals? Former lovers with grudges? The list of people I'd stepped on to reach the

top wasn't short.

asking questions

industry who might have something

know of.

on saving what's left of the business. If we can secure bridge

don't identify who's attacking us!" I slammed my hand on the desk, sending financial reports fluttering to the floor. "Someone

knowing from his expression

pulled your feature." His voice trembled

comment about.... about the Russian

around me. The Vogue feature had been scheduled

authentic creative vision." Now gone. And money laundering?

Mark asked

screen, a financial blog I'd never heard of detailed suspicious transactions between Anton Bessonov's

"This

with connections. Someone determin The landline phone

"Rose Lewis."

Chen from Women's Wear Daily. We're running

wanted to offer you a chance

WWD was fashion's bible. Their coverage reached every

exactly is your story about?" Lasked, fighting

Chapter 48

received information that several major retailers have canceled orders amid concerns about your past business associations. Sources also indicate Stellar Fabrics has terminated your supply contract,

disaster I'd learned about this moming, wrapped into one neat

financial irregularities," Maria

cutting motions across his throat. Don't comment. Don't engage. Don't make

ignoring his warning. "Someone is deliberately spreading lies and manipulating contexts to damage my brand. I categorically deny an The trap was obvious, but my anger overwhelmed my

being implied. And my business dealings have always

explain the three

offshore accounts into your initial business

ice through my

Wasn't even in my official records. Only two people knew that

further comment," I said, ending the call before could

Mark said quietly. "What

my

uncertainly by the door. "There's one more thing. The factory in Milan called. They need to speak with you urgen Our main production facility. The backbone of

"Give me

I said, needing a moment alone before facing

last year, I'd chosen this office specifically for this

Stefan: *Are you seeing the news? We need to

us."

made the connection too. Whatever was happening, we were both targets of the same

question was,

my computer screen. An

FREEZE

lands shook as I opened it. The message was brief but devastating. Due to "ongoing financial investigations," all business accounts