SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 71

Chapter 71

The elevator climbed toward the penthouse of Pierce Tower, each floor ticking by on the digital display as my stomach tightened with a mix of anger and nervous anticipation. I wore a simple black dress, nothing

revenge.

When the doors opened, I stepped into a space unlike anything I'd expected. Not

the

cold, modernist showcase typical of billionaire penthouses, but a warm, wood- paneled sanctuary with floor-to-

ceiling bookshelves and comfortable leather furniture. Classical music played softly in the background. The wall of windows offered a breathtaking view of Manhattan at sunset, the city transformed into gold and shadow.

Alexander stood by a small bar cart, his back to me. He'd removed his suit jacket and rolled

up his shirtsleeves, looking more approachable than I'd ever seen him.

"Scotch? Wine? Something else?" he asked without turning

"Answers," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

He turned then, a slight smile on his face that didn't

quite reach his eyes. "Straight to business. One of the many things I admire about you."

I tossed the folder onto his coffee table. Papers spilled out, financial records, surveillance reports, market manipulation evidence, all documenting his shadow campaign against Rose and Stefan. "Explain this," I demanded, remaining standing even as he gestured toward a seat. "Explain why you've been secretly helping destroy Rose and Stefan for the past year without telling me." Alexander studied me for a long moment, then moved to a bookshelf and pulled out a small wooden box. "Perhaps we should start at the beginning."

He placed the box on the table between us and finally, I sat down across from him. He opened it carefully, removing what looked like a hospital ID bracelet, faded and worn. "Boston Memorial Hospital. Five years ago." He set the bracelet gently on that changed everything."

What

top of the red papers. "The night

s have to do with Rose and

I stared at the plastic band, confusion replacing some of my anger. does Stefan?”

Turnpike. Multiple vehicles. Three fatalities. I was trapped in the wreckag A chill ran through me as fragments of memory stirred, a rainy night, flashing emergency lights, a medical conference in Boston I'd attended alone because my parents was too busy with work and perfect Rose. "I was bleeding internally," Alexander continued. "The doctors later said I had minutes left, at most. Until someone

were the one who found me. Who rode in the ambulance. Who gave her information as emergency contact

Chapter 71

The hospital forms I'd filled out while waiting for

Boston three extra days," I whispered, the past rushing back. "I visited your room. Read to

said softly. "You said

stung my eyes unexpectedly. "I never knew your name. The hospital just had a case number. And when I had to return to

left flowers. And a note." Alexander reached into the box again, removing a faded piece of

are, I hope you heal completely. Someone is thinking of you, even if you're

of my own handwriting from years ago. "I don't understand. If that was you, why didn't you

I recovered, I tried to find you. All I had was a name, Camille Lewis, and the knowledge that you'd

He turned back to

"I came to New

my life. But

finished for

Stefan Rodriguez. Living what seemed to be a perfect life with a successful husband and budding design career." Alexander's smile held no bitterness, only a gentle resignation. "It didn't seem right

kindness to a stranger was happy." His voice dropped

return to New York, to somehow warn you, when news broke about your accident. Your

had them looking into every aspect of that night. But then, A week later, I

snapped up. "What do

could you

most people can't imagine," Alexander said simply. "My

i was

through me. "You knew? Before Victoria ever presented me as her daughter? Before

nodded. "I knew Victoria had found you. Saved you. Was helping you recover and transform. But I didn't know why, or what you planned to do

slowly, trying to process what he was telling me, "you've known exactly who I was.

"And

For fifteen months." Anger briefly flared again. "You

life, plan my revenge, and

should I have said?" Alexander asked

when you emerged with a new face and a new purpose, it was clear you'd chosen a

I said, gesturing to the evidence on the table. "Until you started manipulating events behind the scenes, helping destroy Rose and Stefan without my

sincerity in his

forward now?" I asked. "Why let me

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