SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 58

Stefan stared at the offer letter on his desk mitil the words blurred together. Thirty cents on the dollar. For shipping routes his grandfather had established. For contracts his father had nurtured. For a legacy thre Thirty cents on the dollar. A number designed to wound as much as to acquire.

Behind him, the Rodriguez Shipping headquarters

buzzed with the frantic energy of a dying animal. Staff packed personal

belongings into cardboard boxes Security escorted tearful employers to the elevator. Phones rang unanswered throughout the building as news of their financial collapse spread through the industry.

Three hours earlier, the board had voted to remove him as CEO. Only his father's intervention, and their family's controlling shares, had prevented his complete dismissal. Now he clung to the title of "Executive "They're waiting for your answer," Eduardo Rodriguez said from the doorway. At sixty-

two, his father looked a decade older than he had a month ago, Lines of worry had carved themselves permanently into his face. The proud posture that had intimidated

boardrooms for forty years now showed the slight curve of defeat.

"Kane Industries can keep waiting," Stefan replied, crumpling the offer letter in his fist. "I won't sell our Asian routes. Not to them. Not at any price."

Eduardo moved into the office, closing the door behind him "It's not about pride anymore, son. It's about survival. Without those routes, we lose access to our largest markets. Without the

cash from selling them, we can't make payroll next week."

"We'll find another way." Stefan stood, moving to the

window that overlooked the harbor where Rodriguez ships had once dominated the skyline. Now only three vessels bore their flag, the rest sold or repossessed in desperate attempts to generate operating capi "What other way?" Eduardo's voice held no anger, only exhaustion. "Eastern Capital passed on our loan request. Banks have frozen our credit lines. Suppliers demand payment in advance for fuel and materials "We still have friends in this industry. Relationships built over decades."

"Friends?" Eduardo

laughed without humor. "Where are these friends now? Henderson Freight signed with Marunouchi yesterday. Pacific Partners canceled our maintenance contract this morning. Everyone's jumping from what th Stefan pressed his

forehead against the cool glass. Below, workers streamed from the Rodriguez building, carrying boxes of personal items, years of service ended with impersonal severance papers and security escorts.

"Someone is behind this," he said quietly. "Someone with resources and motivation to destroy us systematically." "Does it matter? The result is the same."

Stefan turned to face his father. "It matters if we can identify them. Fight back. Expose whatever game they're playing."

Eduardo sank into a visitor chair, suddenly looking every year of his age and more. "This isn't a conspiracy, Stefan. It's business. We overleveraged our Asian expansion. We didn't diversify our client base prope The timing is too perfect," Stefan insisted. "Every attack precisely when we're most vulnerable. Every blow calculated for maximum damage."

His father studied him with eyes dimmed by fatigue. "And who would have both the resources and motivation for

+25 вони

such a campaign?"

offer

letter, studying the signature at the

precise, somehow familiar though he couldn't place

who appeared out of nowhere a year ago? The one in the news with

on his desk, pulling up a photo from the charity gala where Pierce had placed that diamond necklace around Camille Kane's throat. The image had been everywhere for days, t Why would

unfinished, unable to articulate the nagging feeling that he should recognize Camille Kane That beneath her

bad timing, bad management decisions coming home to roost all at once. Perhaps the insulting offe But Stefan's instincts screamed otherwise. The same instincts

pain of watching, everything he valued

with her increasingly desperate

her

to think without her manipulation clouding, his judgment. Time to understand what had happened to their lives in such a short,

minutes from now." "Then they'll have their answer in thirty minutes." Stefan straightened his shoulders, decision mad

find another way." Stefan's voice

company survived the Depression. Survived two world wars. Survived the 2008 crash. It will

"How?"

moved to the credenza where three model ships

had purchased to start Rodriguez Shipping. "But I won't surrender my grandfather's legacy for thirty cents

face. "You sound like

Depression with a single boat

stood, moving to join his son by the family heirlooms. "If we reject Kane's offer, we'll need to take drastic measures.

Rodriguez Shipping special. What

silent gesture of support that meant more than words. Then he let Alone, Stefan returned to the window, watching darkness fall over the harbor. Lights began appearing on the remaining ships, pinpricks of brightness against the gathering gloom. Like hope in

that represented the beginning of Rodriguez

vessel when everyone

to save a structure that might be too damaged His intercom buzzed, his father returning from the meeting with Kane Industries representatives. "They're gone," Eduardo reported, voice tight

week and offer fifteen cents instead of thirty." "Perhaps." Eduardo paused. "But she said something strange as she was

sharpened.

Mr. Rodriguez that some losses can't be measured in dollars and cents. Some debts can't be paid with anything but complete

unexpected chill down Stefan's spine. Not a business communication. A personal one. Confirmation of what he'd suspected, this wasn't just predatory acquisition. This was targeted destructio "Did she say anything else?"

"In a way that reminded me

nowhere. Who now seemed determined to destroy Bocipuez Shipping completely. Who was she

Stefan took the call, his mind continued toiming over the puzzle of Camille Kane. The strange familiarity. The targeted atta Something was missing Some connection he couldn't quite make. Some truth hiding just beyond his

The office building stood nearly empty, most employees already departed, many never to return. Just a skeleton crew remained, those

thirty had filled the boardroom. Five grim faces

CFO

thirty-seven million in immediate