SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 66

Camille's point of view

I stood by the floor-to-

ceiling windows in Victoria's penthouse office, watching the city lights flicker to life as dusk settled over Manhattan. Rain tapped against the glass, a gentle percussion accompanying the victory drumming throug On six massive screens behind Victoria's desk, Rose's destruction played out in real-

time. Every major news channel, every entertainment show, every social media feed, all consumed with the spectacular downfall of fashion's rising star.

"More champagne?" Victoria asked, appearing at my side with the bottle of Dom Pérignon we'd opened when the first reports broke this morning. Her smile, rare and genuine, made her look younger. "Please," I said, holding out my crystal flute.

Victoria clinked her glass against mine. "To justice," she said, voice warm with satisfaction. "Long overdue." "To justice," I echoed, turning back to the spectacle on the screens.

A reporter stood outside Rose's apartment building, rain dampening her hair as she struggled to maintain her professional demeanor despite the obvious joy in delivering the news.

"Fashion designer Rose Lewis remained inside her penthouse apartment all day as more allegations surfaced about affairs with married men, stolen designs, and

questionable financial ties to figures under investigation for money laundering, Sources close to Lewis say she is 'devastated' by what her legal team is calling a "coordinated character assassination.""

I couldn't help but laugh. "Devastated. I wonder if that's how she described me to Stefan when they were planning my replacement."

Victoria squeezed my shoulder. "This is only the beginning. By tomorrow, every major retailer will have canceled their orders. By next week, her investors will pull out completely. By next month, Rose Lewis will The satisfaction I felt should have been pure and sweet. This was what we'd worked toward for nearly two years, the systematic destruction of the woman who had stolen my husband, my life, my identity. The w So why did victory taste so complex? Why did the champagne feel both sweet and slightly bitter?

On the renter screen, footage played of Rose leaving her building through a service entrance, head high, crimson dress a slash of defiance against the gray day. Even in her downfall, she performed the role of wronged innocent perfectly.

"Look at her," I said, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. "Still playing to the cameras. Still manipulating perceptions."

Victoria moved to her desk, pressing a button that muted the screens. "That performance won't save her. Not this

time

I turned away from the windows, studying the woman who had rescued me, rebuilt me, guided me through the transformation from broken victim to powerful avenger.

"How did you find them all?" I asked, settling into a leather chair facing her desk. "Jonathan Hayes, Lord Hartley,

Anton Bessonoy's assistant.. they all disappeared from her life years ago."

Victoria's smile tumed almost predatory. "Money opens mamy doors, but information is the true currency of revenge. For nearly one years, I've had investigators tracking down everyone Hose ever used, betraye "And the banking records? The evidence of money Laundering?"

"More challenging, but nothing is truly hidden from those who know where to look." Victoria studied me over her glass. "You're troubled. Why? This is what we've worked toward "

else... something I can't quite name." Victoria leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Don't confuse justice with vengeance, Camille. What

part of me expected to feel... more. Some

doesn't come from what happens to others," Victoria said quietly. "It comes from what happens within you,

Your healing is a separate

whose focus had always been strategic rather than emotional. Perhaps

you're rea

with that penetrating

bothering

her tone neutral but her

not a threat to what we've

business. He wants something from you, Camille. Something he hasn't yet

pressed another button, switching the largest screen to

channel. The analyst was

on the fashion industry, specifically how several designers' stock prices had jumped as retailers looked to fill the gap left by her toxic

said. "With their contracts canceled, they'll be desperate.

was perfect Victoria, seeing opportunity in destruction.

else have it," I said, surprising both of

“That's... unexpected.

of everything she

articulate my shifting emotions. But there's something about picking through

"Us. Not me,

about it now felt constricting, as if the perfect vengea Who was 1, when not defined by revenge? What

gentler than usual. “That's natural. For months, every decision has been filtered through the lens of justice for what they did to you. Now that justice is being served, you're "What comes next?"

entirely on you." Victoria turned to face me directly. "When I found you

a choice, disappear into a new life somewhere far away, or rise from the ashes transformed. You

only as an instrument of revenge, or as someone with a future beyond

avoiding

focus on destruction began making

I am without this," I admitted, gesturing toward the screens. "Without

studied me, her gaze thoughtful rather than calculating. "Perhaps that's the next chapter of your journey. Discovering Camille Kane beyond revenge. Beyond the past Beyond even my careful molding." The suggestion surprised me.

become. This open-

to define myself beyond

purpose, was unexpected.

"Even if it

emotion I couldn't identify. "I saved you, Camille. Rebuilt

moved back