SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 63

Camille's point of view

The morning sun filled my home office, bathing the pristine white furniture in golden light

that should have been soothing Instead, I stared at my tablet screen, my chest so Eight I could barely breathe. The headline of the Wall Street Journal's business section screamed at me in hold black letters:

**LEWIS INDUSTRIES TO RESCUE RODRIGUEZ SHIPPING WITH $100M INVESTMENT**

The subheading twisted the knife deeper:

**Wedding Bells to Follow: Rodriguez-

Lewis Union Cements Business Partnership**

My coffee cup crashed to the floor as I stood abruptly, hot liquid splattering across imported marble tiles. I didn't care. The words on the screen burned through my mind, erasing months of careful planning, of sy "No," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion I rarely

allowed myself anymore. "No, no,

NO!!!

I scrolled through the article, each paragraph feeding the fire growing inside me.

*In a surprising turn of events, Lewis Industries has announced a $100 million investment in Rodriguez Shipping's Seattle operations, rescuing the century-

old family business from complete collapse following Kane Industries' recent debt acquisition.*

"Sources close to both families confirm that the business alliance will be strengthened by personal ties, with an October wedding planned between Stefan Rodriguez and Rose Lewis, sister of the late Camille Le Rodriguez. "This partnership represents not just a business opportunity, but the joining of two family legacies," Richard Lewis stated in this morning's press conference. "Sometimes tragedy can lead

to unexpected new beginnings."* The tablet flew from my hands before I realized I'd thrown it, shattering against the far wall in a spray of glass and electronics. The destruction wasn't enough. Nothing could qui After everything I'd done. After buying his company's debt. After taking his family home. After systematically destroying everything the Rodriguez name stood for.

Stefan was still choosing Rose. Still moving forward with the life they'd planned while I was supposedly dead at

of that

my parents - MY PARENTS were funding

intercom buzzed, Rebecca's voice

you've seen the news.

deep breaths before responding.

Victoria's face

the tightness around her eyes. She was in her

can't do this," I replied, pacing the length of my office. "We own the debt. We control the assets. Ho "They're not buying

"hey're creating a new entity, using the few assets we couldn't touch, primarily the Seattle operations we thought were too worthless to bother with. Your father has found a legal workaround that kee The word "father" sent fresh pain shooting through me. Richard Lewis was funding the revival of Stefan's business, cementing Rose's triumph, all while having no idea he was destroying his

glimpse of the maternal concern she typically kept hidden beneath her formidable exterior. "This is why I've always cautioned against er "Of course I'm taking it personally!" I slammed my hand against my desk, welcoming

calmly. "This

blessing and financial support. After everything they did to me. After every “And they will still pay. Perhaps more completely than before.” Victoria leaned closer to the camera, her expression intensifying. “This development presents new opportunities. They're rebuilding, investing emot Her logic should have calmed me. Should have helped me see past the raw hurt to the strategic implications. Instead, I felt something crack inside, some final piece of the woman

small, dangerous smile curved her lips. "We need to create a scandal that will completely destroy your

looked up sharply. "What kind of

make Stefan question his choice." Victoria tapped

next words.

breath caught. "That

of Rose scandals" Victoria's expression was unreadable. “I held it in reserve, uncertain if such a personal attack would serve our larger goals. But now..." "Now it's exactly what we need," I finished, a cold clarity replacing the emotional turmoil I'd felt moments before. "Evidence

I demanded, leaning toward the screen. "Show me what

Chapter 61

softened again, nearly imperceptible but there for those who

argument, maternal authority overlaying business command. "Now more than ever, Camille Kane must appear unaffected by Rodriguez Lewis affairs. A After ending the call,

waiting when I descended the mansion's grand staircase. James stood by the open door, his expression professionally blank

Gardens, Ms.

I decided suddenly. "Take me to the

unusual for him. "Ms. Kane,

in Rodriguez hands. I know we own it I just...

sliding into the driver's seat.

their family compounds, I stared

for five generations. I'd lived there for three years

Stefan's