SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Victoria Kane's hotel suite in Chicago offered a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, a vista most would stop m admire. She noticed none of it. Instead, her attention remained fixed on the tablet in her hand, finger "BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR ALEXANDER PIERCE GIFTS $100M NECKLACE TO MYSTERIOUS KANE HEIRESS"

"POWER COUPLE ALERT: PIERCE AND KANE SEND SOCIAL MEDIA INTO FRENZY"

"FROM RECLUSE TO ROMANCE: HAS THE COLD-

HEARTED TECH GENIUS FINALLY MET HIS MATCH?"

Each article featured the same photographs, Alexander placing the diamond necklace around Camille's throat, his hands lingering at her neck. Camille's genuine smile as she looked up at him, a softness in her

own.

Victoria's manicured nail cracked the screen protector as she pressed too hard, swiping to the next tabloid story. This one included quotes from "anonymous attendees" describing how the normally reserved Ca "Fifteen months of meticulous planning," Victoria said to the empty room, voice dangerously quiet. "Fifteen months creating the perfect story. The perfect appearance. The perfect heir. All potentially compromise She stood, moving to the window with controlled fury emanating from

her rigid posture. The breakfast tray

sat untouched on the nearby table. Sleep had been impossible after seeing the first alerts about the fundraiser. By dawn, the story had exploded across traditional and social media, analysts and

gossip columnists alike speculating about the potential alliance between two of the world's most powerful young business figures.

Precisely the kind of attention they had carefully avoided. Precisely the visibility that could threaten everything they'd built.

Her phone rang.... her assistant calling from New York.

"Tell me," Victoria demanded without greeting.

"It's worse than we thought," Rebecca said, her usually composed voice tight with tension. "Every major news outlet is running the story. Financial publications are

analyzing potential business implications of a Pierce-Kane alliance. Social media

engagement has increased seven thousand percent around Ms. Kane's name since last night.

11

Victoria's fingers tightened around the phone. "And Camille?"

"Not responding to messages. Her security detail reported she returned safely to the mansion at 12:47 AM. The necklace remains in her possession. Mr. Pierce's security team is scheduled to retrieve it at noon Another point of contact. Another opportunity for photographs. Another chance for Alexander to further whatever game he was playing.

"Cancel that retrieval," Victoria ordered. "Have our security return the necklace directly to Pierce Industries. Camille is not to have any further contact with Alexander Pierce or his people." "Yes, Ms. Kane."

Chapter 52

about the Pierce team? Any official statement

stock opened four percent higher this morning,

separate

market implications hadn't escaped Victoria's notice. Her own analysts had

to the rumors. Under different circumstances, she might have considered the business advantages of a strategic alliance with

different circumstances. This was a direct threat to her carefully constructed plan.

Victoria said, decision made. "I'm returning

Kane. The pilot filed a flight plan twenty minutes ago when I saw the

before they fully materialized, protected her interests without requiring expl Unlike her adopted daughter, who had apparently abandoned all caution for the attention

car ready in

ways few people recognized. Not just for

the veil they'd created around Camille's true identity,

already know? Had he somehow uncovered the truth about Camille Lewis becoming Camille Kane?

held information that could destroy

team escorted her to the waiting car, Victoria scrolled

complete with archive footage of his

Victoria closed

fury. In one evening, one impulsive decision,

carefully avoided for fifteen months. Attention that could lead to questions. To investigations.

car moved

her jet waited. Victoria used the time to review what she knew

years old. Fortune estimated at $180

broken engagement six years ago.

most, was why he had suddenly taken such public

make impulsive gestures. They didn't

million dollars on

carefully maintained public image without

night was calculated. Planned. Executed with specific

Or something more troubling,

door as they reached the airfield. Her Gulfstream waited on the tarmac, engines already warmed,

cleared for immediate

waiting in New York. To the damage control needed. To

rang again,

for Ms. Kane,"

halfway to her seat. "The

it, appears to be a small jewelry box, but not large enough for the necklace. There's

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