SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 73

Camille's point of view

The Kane mansion gleamed like a jewel against the night sky, every window ablaze with light, every entrance adorned with arrangements of fire lilies and black orchids. Limousines lined the circular driveway, de I watched it all from Victoria's private study, a closed-

circuit feed showing me every entrance, every reaction, every whispered speculation about why Kane Industries had gathered such an illustrious crowd on this particular evening.

"They're calling it the event of the season," Victoria said, adjusting the

diamond clip in my hair. "Everyone who matters in New York is

here, wondering what magnificent announcement Camille Kane plans to make."

I barely heard her, my eyes fixed on the feed showing the main entrance. Rose had just arrived, looking thinner than I remembered but still maintaining that perfect poise that had once made me so jealous. Her dress, likely one of the few remaining from her collapsed fashion line, was a study in understated elegance. No one watching her would guess that her company had failed, her reputation was in tatters, and her Only I could see the strain around her eyes, the slightly too-

tight smile, the carefully hidden desperation of a woman clinging to the last threads of her social standing.

almost didn't come," Victoria noted, following my gaze. "The invitation was returned twice before being finally

I said softly. "She couldn't

event everyone would be talking about. Even if it meant

Victoria nodded. "And Stefan?"

scanning the growing crowd until I

near a

in his hand. The past months had aged him visibly, his once confident posture now slightly stooped,

11

small smile of satisfaction curving her lips. "Perfect positioning for

After two years of planning, of careful transformation, of systematic revenge, was I ready for the moment when everyone would finally

surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "It's

Victoria nodded

door. "I'll make the introductory remarks at nine o'clock precisely. You'll enter from the left side of the stage. Everything is prepared exactly as we discussed." After she left, I stood before the

back at me was both familiar and strange,