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.

unusual been asking questions

who might

I know of.

left of the business. If

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

knowing

His

about.... about the Russian money

room spun around me. The Vogue feature had been

spread celebrating my authentic creative vision." Now gone. And money laundering? The accusation

allegations?" Mark asked

blog I'd never heard of detailed suspicious transactions between Anton Bessonov's accounts and my early business funding. Transactions

"This

scanning the article. "These records were private. How did anyone get access?" But I already knew the answer. Someone with resources. Someone with connections. Someone determin The landline phone

"Rose Lewis."

is Maria Chen from Women's Wear Daily. We're running a

financial situation and wanted to offer you a chance

heart stuttered. WWD was fashion's bible. Their

about?" Lasked, fighting to keep my

Chapter 48

several major retailers have canceled orders amid concerns about your past business associations.

one neat package. How had they

the Russian yacht photos and alleged financial irregularities," Maria continued.

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

deliberately spreading lies and manipulating contexts to damage my brand. I categorically deny an

The relationship was not what's being implied. And my business dealings have always

do you explain the three

offshore accounts into

sent ice

Only two people knew that exact figure, me and

I said, ending the call

quietly. "What offshore

my head,

more thing. The factory in Milan called. They need to speak with you urgen Our main production facility. The backbone of

"Give me

needing a moment alone before facing the next

I moved to the window overlooking the Fashion District. Just last year, I'd chosen this office specifically for this view, a constant reminder of the industry I was conquering. Now it felt like looking a a kingdom that had rejected

text from Stefan: *Are you seeing the news?

us."

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

question was, who? And

computer screen. An email

FREEZE

Due to "ongoing