SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Camille's point of view

"They rejected our ofter,"

Rebecca's words hung in the air between us, impossible, unthinkable. The folder in her hands contained the formal response from Rodriguez Shipping, a single page declining our "generous proposal" with diplo "That's not possible," I said, my voice too quiet even to my own ears. "They're broke. Desperate. Days from complete collapse"

Mr. Rodriguez was quite firm." Rebecca set the folder on my desk, her expression professionally neutral despite delivering news she knew would infuriate me. "Their lead negotiator said the family would rather Heat rose from my chest to my throat, a burning tide of rage I hadn't felt since the night Stefan had handed me divorce papers on our anniversary. Since the night Rose had smirked at my pain while pretending concern. Since the night I'd walked away from the ruins of a life they'd systematically destroyed.

"Pride," I spat the word like poison. "Always his weakness. His father's too."

I moved to the window, needing space to contain the fury threatening to crack my carefully constructed composure. Outside, spring rain fell on the Kane estate gardens, each drop hitting leaves and petals with

Until now.

"The financial team has updated projections." Rebecca's voice remained steady, a reminder of the professional façade I needed to maintain. "Rodriguez Shipping will default on their major loans tomorrow. Their "Then why reject our offer?" I turned back to face her, struggling to understand "Thirty cents was insulting, yes, but it would have given them operating capital. Time to reorganize. A chance to salvage something Rebecca consulted her tablet. "Our analysts suggest it may be a negotiating tactic. Rejecting our first offer to push for better terms."

I shook my head, knowing Stefan better than any analyst ever could. "No. It's principle. Family pride. The Rodriguez name."

Three generations of shipping legacy. The grandfather who'd started with a single vessel during the Depression, The father who'd expanded globally during the shipping boom. And Stefan, who'd inherited it all Just as he'd taken me for granted.

"What do they hope to gain?" I asked, more to

myself than Rebecca. "They must know they can't survive without selling something"

“Our intelligence suggests they may be consolidating their Northwestern operations." Rebecca scrolled through her notes. "Moving liquid assets to their Seattle division before the banks seize everything else." A strategic retreat. Smart, actually, Salvaging the one piece of the company structurally protected from the banks' reach. The original

hub where Rodriguez Shipping had began three generations ago.

Starting over from nearly nothing

curled into fists, nails

supposed to surrender completely. Was

move tomorrow?" I

"First thing in the morning Our sources say they'll foreclose on outstanding loans

"And the board meeting?"

accept the chairman's resignation and approve bankruptcy protection

polished mahogany as I thought. Stefan was slipping through my fingers. Finding

complete destruction. Holding onto a scrap of his family legacy when he should be losing

the operating lines, the equipment le Rebecca's eyes widened slightly, the only indication of her surprise at this unexpected move. "That's over

care what it costs,"I cut her off, voice sharp with determination. "If Stefan won't sell to us directly, we'll own his debt instead. Every dollar he owes, every asset securing those loans, every piece of paper She made quick

extensions, no refinancing, no mercy." My voice sounded foreign to my own ears, cold and hard in a way I barely recognized. "If he wants to save his precious Seattle operatio Rebecca nodded, professional mask firmly in place despite what

thing," I added. "The Rodriguez family estate. The banks don't hold that mortgage, Sterling Trust does. I want

her shock. "The family home? Ms. Kane, that's not

is." Three years I'd lived in that mansion as Stefan's wife. Three years of trying to please his family, of attempting to belong in spaces where I was merely tolerated. Three

has no strategic value to

question deserved a business answer, a rational explanation. Something that would make sense in tomorrow's executive briefing

"Because it will hurt him

five generations of family history. Because it's the one thing Stefan believes can never be taken

business decisions Victoria had trained her well to accept without

hidden wall safe beland my office artwork. Inside, nestled

lay a small photo album, one of the few possessions I'd kept from my lite as Camille Lewis.

mother had selected because "white would wash out your complexion, dear." Him handsome in his

to outshine the bride. Her arm around my waist, her smile perfect, her eyes already calculating how to take what wasn't hers. I slammed the album shut, returning it to the

could weaken my resolve. This wasn't about pain anymore, wasn't about heartbreak or betrayal. This was about justice. About consequences for actions carelessly taken.

phone buzzed with a text from Victoria: Heard about the Rodriguez

*

bank purchases.