SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 87

Rose lifted her champagne flute, the bubbles catching the afternoon sunlight that streamed through the penthouse windows. Across the table, Herod mirrored her movement, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. C "To bringing down giants," Herod said.

They clinked glasses. Rose savored the expensive champagne, allowing herself this moment of triumph.

"I must admit," Herod said, settling back in his chair, "your media contacts exceeded my expectations. The coverage is... spectacular."

Rose smiled, running her finger along the rim of her glass. "Money talks. But so do old favors." She nodded Toward the television where her tearful interview was replaying. "Eliza Jenkins has hated Victoria Kan "And the medical records? A particularly inspired touch."

"There are no medical records," Rose laughed, the sound sharp with triumph. "Just enough specific details to sound convincing, provided by a therapist who never treated Camille but is happy to consult anonyn the right price."

Herod raised an eyebrow. "Creative."

"It's how the game is played." Rose stood and walked to the window, looking out over Manhattan with fresh eyes. For weeks, the city had felt like a prison, places she couldn't go, people who wouldn't speak to h people want to believe it."

"Especially when it comes from the tearful sister." Herod joined

her at the window, champagne in hand. "Your performance was quite moving.

"I learned from the best actors in the business, the ultra-

rich." Rose's voice hardened. "Watching my so-

called family pretend to be perfect while judging me for every mistake."

On the coffee table, Herod's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his smile widening

"Kane Industries has called an emergency board meeting, he said, raising his glass again. "Your sister is in full crisis mode."

Rose closed her eyes briefly, picturing Camille's face as she woke to find herself braided unstable and dangerous. The thought sent warmth through her chest.

"They've pulled her from the Phoenix Grid launch event," Herod continued, reading from his phone. "Claiming she's 'focusing on technical aspects rather than public- facing duties.""

"They're hiding her," Rose said, satisfaction flooding her voice. "Exactly what I wanted. 'The mighty Camille Kane, driven back into the shadows."

Herod poured more champagne for them both. "Phase one accomplished. But remember, this is just the beginning."

"The beginning of the end for Camille." Rose took the refilled glass. "Tomorrow my parents give their interview. My poor, concerned parents, heartbroken over their daughter's mental decline." "They agreed to participate?"

participating yet," Rose said with a harsh laugh. "But they will. My father will do anything to protect the family name. Including disowning

darkened. “Victoria Kane is still standing. That woman has weathered worse storms

two targets the Phoenix Grid itself." Herod gestured toward his desk where blueprints and technical documents were spread out. "My sources inside their engineering department provide w "Explain it again." Rose said, moving toward the desk. "How exactly do we sabotage a clean

laying his hand

physically. We just need

do we do

works in controlled settings but fails under the load conditions of a full city grid. Zhao knew this six months ago but buried the findings to keep

have

Herod's smile didn't reach his eyes. "My contact is gathering the final pieces. When they

Camille takes the fall," Rose whispered, the image so sweet she could almost taste it. "The unstable

She moved to

volume just

leadership of that project is compromised, a "Listen to

Herod agreed. "Create the right framework, and they fill

cut to footage of Victoria Kane entering Kane Industries headquarters, surrounded by security and ignoring shouted questions from reporters. The older woman's face was a stone "I wish I could see inside that building right now," Rose murmured. "Victoria realizing her perfect revenge plan is unraveling. Camille hiding

moving toward his office while Rose remained transfixed by the

crowded at the gates while security kept them back. The caption read: "Kane Heiress Remains Secluded as Mental Health Questions Mount." Rose felt a rush

satisfaction or triumph, but something deeper and more

his face alight with fresh news. "Alexander Pierce has been making calls to

said, unconcerned. "We've covered out

"We have, but

checked his watch. "The interview with your parents

turning calculating. "My father received documents this morning

state going back years. Along with reminder about what happened to the last

"A threat?"

smiled thinly. "My father understands

what the interviewer expects to

"And if he doesn't?"

shrugged. "He doesn't know we know about

softly. "You really would destroy your

my father the moment

gala." Rose's voice turned to ice. Family is just another word for people who haven't betrayed

temporarily halted after falling twenty Rose closed her eyes, letting the news wash over her. Twenty percent. Billions of dollars in value erased in a

she said, reopening her eyes.

"When we reveal

moved to the bar cart, pouring herself a measure of whiskey. The burn of alcohol down her throat matched the fire of vengeance in