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

bottom of

my parents - MY PARENTS were

intercom buzzed, Rebecca's voice

the news. Victoria is

forced myself to take three deep

Victoria's face

her eyes. She was in her Tokyo

can't do this," I replied, pacing

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 supposedly dead da "The wedding announcement wasn't coincidental," Victoria continued, her analytical mind already dissecting the strategy. "It's a deliberate message to investors and clients, a statement of confidence in the new "I want it stopped." My voice came out harder than I'd ever heard it. "All of it. The investment. The business alliance. The wedding. I

slightly, a rare glimpse of the maternal concern she typically kept hidden beneath her formidable exterior. "This is why I've always cautioned against er

revenge isn't complete, "Victoria sald calmly. "This is merely an unexpected

leaned closer to the camera, her expression intensifying. “This development presents new opportunities. They're rebuilding, investing emot Her logic should have

shifted, calculation replacing concern. "Perhaps we've been too... indirect in our approach." A small, dangerous smile curved her lips. "We need to create a

looked up sharply. "What

their support. The kind that would make Stefan question his choice." Victoria tapped her fingers against her desk, a habit I knew indicated she was

next words.

breath caught. "That is

witnesses of all 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.

toward the screen. "Show me what you

Chapter 61

imperceptible but there for those who knew how to read her. "For now "I'm not in

business command. "Now more than ever, Camille Kane must appear unaffected by Rodriguez Lewis affairs. A After ending the call, I showered and dressed mechanically, donning a pale blue suit that Rebecca had selected for

James stood by the

Botanical Gardens, Ms.

suddenly. "Take me to

unusual for him. "Ms.

no longer in Rodriguez hands. I know we own it I just... need

my door before sliding into the driver's seat. As the car wound through

their family compounds, I stared out

had been in their family for five

Stefan's