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?"

do anything to protect the family name. Including disowning his 'unstable' daughter If he thinks it will limit the "Ruthless." Herod studied her

is still standing. That woman has

phase 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

joined her, laying his hand on

physically. We just need to prove it was built on

how do

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

have

smile didn't reach his eyes. "My contact is gathering the final pieces. When they release the evidence, Kane Industries will

sweet she could almost taste it. "The unstable heiress who pushed

She moved to

television, turning up the volume just as a financial

of their future growth strategy. If the leadership of that project is compromised, a "Listen to them,"

what they expect to see," Herod agreed. "Create the right framework, and they

Industries headquarters, surrounded by security and ignoring shouted questions from reporters. The older woman's face was

office while Rose remained transfixed

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

experienced before, not just satisfaction or triumph, but something

with fresh news. "Alexander Pierce has been making calls to his investigative team. They're trying to trace the

said, unconcerned. "We've

"We have, but

with your parents is scheduled for 9AM tomorrow. Have you

her expression turning calculating. "My father received documents this

reminder about what

"A threat?"

smiled thinly. "My father understands

exactly what the interviewer expects to

"And if he doesn't?"

accounts. Rose shrugged. "He doesn't know we know about those. But we do, thanks to your

whistled softly. "You really would

stopped being my father the moment he

Family is just another word for people who haven't

breakers. Trading temporarily halted after falling twenty Rose closed her eyes, letting the

beside herself," she said, reopening her eyes. "The

only the beginning of her pain," Herod reminded her. "When we reveal the Phoenix Grid flaws next week, the

a measure of whiskey. The burn of alcohol