SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 65

The breakfast tray sat untouched on Rose's nightstand, fresh fruit and pastries growing stale in the morning air. She hadn't moved from the edge of her bed for nearly an hour, eyes fixed on the television screer "Fashion designer Rose Lewis faces new allegations today, the entertainment reporter said, her expression a mask of professional concern that barely concealed her delight in the scandal "Former associates h Rose's fingers dug into her silk comforter until her knuckles turned white. This wasn't happening. Not now. Not when everything was finally coming together.

The reporter continued, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Most damaging are claims from British fashion executive Jonathan Hayes, who alleges Lewis used their affair to gain industry access while simul The screen filled with Jonathan's face, older now, silver threading through the dark hair she remembered running her fingers through in London hotel rooms. His expression held no remorse as he detailed their "She was calculating even then," he said, eyes meeting the camera directly. "Everything was transactional. An affair for introductions. Intimacy for opportunities." Rose grabbed the remote, hurling it at the screen with a scream of frustration. It bounced harmlessly off the glass, the reporter's voice continuing uninterrupted.

"These allegations come at a particularly sensitive time for Lewis, whose fashion line has been struggling with production delays and canceled orders from major retailers.

The doorbell rang, its cheerful chime a jarring contrast to the destruction playing out on the screen, Rose ignored it, pulling her knees to her chest as more evidence of her past appeared in professionally edited Lord Hartley, silver-haired and aristocratic, seated in his

country estate library: "She made me believe I was special, that our connection was unique. Later I

discovered he was seeing my colleague simultaneously, leveraging both relationships for fashion world introductions."

The former assistant to Anton Bessonov, her eyes hard with old resentment: "She lived on his yacht while his wife believed she was attending design conferences. When international authorities began investiga Photos flashed across the screen, Rose entering hotels with different men, Rose

boarding the infamous yacht in Monaco, Rose at industry events on the arm of designers three times her age. Each image more damning than the last, each time- stamped to create a comprehensive timeline of calculated ambition.

The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. Rose buried her face in her hands, tears streaming between her fingers. How had they found these people? Who had convinced them to speak after all these y Until now.

Her phone buzzed with messages from her publicist, her lawyer, her business manager, all demanding to speak with her, all wanting direction on how to handle the crisis, Rose ignored them all, her eyes returni

Chapter 65

television where her carefully constructed life continued to disintegrate.

"Former classmates from Lewis's fashion program have also come forward," the reporter was saying, clearly enjoying each new revelation. "They allege systematic theft of design concepts that later appeared in A photo appeared, Rose's award-

months earlier. Side by side, the theft was

Rose screamed, grabbing a crystal vase from her nightstand

enough to ease the

The reporter was

between Rose and Anton Bessonov, suggesting that her

been funded

Bessonov," the woman explained as graphics appeared on screen. “These de experts describe as

third time, followed by heavy knocking. Rose pulled herself from the bed on unsteady legs, moving to the

ready, faces eager for a glimpse of the

for the fifth time. Rose finally answered, her voice

with barely controlled fury.

hell is happening, Melissa? How did they get all this?

publicist replied, professional

same evidence simultaneously. Former associates contacted by someone offering significant money for exclusive interviews. It's.. "Make it stop!" Rose demanded, pacing her bedroom like a

too late for containment. We need to

the allegations directly while...."

off. "We deny everything. Every single thing. Call it a smear campaign

are

bank records. There are multiple credible

stories. Denial will make

Someone with resources and connections. I The

you." His voice carried through the door, high with arcxiety. "Vogue just pulled your feature completely. Neiman Marcus is invoking the morality clause in their

CHUMÍN 15

know!"

this afternoon. The bank froze your business accounts pending review of the money laundering allegations." "They can't do that!" Rose grabbed his arm, fingers digging in