SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 89

Alexander Pierce's car slid to a stop outside the modest apartment building in Brooklyn. He checked the address on his phone again, confirming this was indeed where Stefan Rodriguez now lived. The fall from overlooking Central Park to this brick walkup with peeling paint.

"Wait here," he told his driver, stepping out into the brisk afternoon air.

The security buzzer was broken.

Alexander pushed through the lobby door, grimacing at the smell of old cooking oil and cigarettes that hung in the narrow hallway. Apartment 3B was at the end of the third- floor corridor, its door as shabby as the rest of the building

Alexander straightened his tie, a habit from childhood wher facing difficult situations, and knocked.

Footsteps approached from inside, followed by the click of locks. The door swung open to reveal Stefan Rodriguez, unshaven and bleary-

eyed in wrinkled clothes. Recognition dawned slowly on his face, followed by confusion."

"Pierce? What the hell are you doing here?

Alexander kept his face neutral. "We need to talk."

Stefan laughed, the sound hollow and bitter. "About what? How your girlfriend destroyed my family's company? Or maybe you want the recipe for rock bottom. I've perfected it lately."

"About Camille," Alexander said simply. "She needs your help."

Something flickered across Stefan's face, surprise, guilt, curiosity. He stepped back, gesturing Alexander inside with a mocking bow.

"Welcome to my humble new reality. Excuse the mess. Maid service was one of the first luxuries

to go."

The apartment was small but surprisingly clean, despite Stefan's appearance. A laptop sat open on a folding table surrounded by job applications and financial documents. Empty takeout containers clustered ne

"Drink?" Stefan asked, retrieving a half-empty whiskey

bottle from the kitchenette. "It's not the thirty-year-

old Macallan you're probably used to, but it does the job."

"No, thank you." Alexander remained standing, studying the man before him.

"Suit yourself." Stefan poured a generous measure into a water glass. "So what could the mighty Alexander Pierce possibly want from me? Last time I checked, I was fresh out of shipping companies for you to a Alexander cut through the bitterness. "Have you seen the news about Camille?"

Stefan's expression changed, defenses dropping momentarily. "About her supposed mental issues? Yeah. Hard to miss when your ex-

wife is being torn apart on every channel."

"It's all lies," Alexander said flatly. "Fabricated by Rose and someone with significant resources."

"And this concerns me how, exactly?" Stefan took a long drink, but his eyes betrayed interest despite his detached tone.

Alexander stepped closer. "Because you're the only person who can convincingly refute Rose's story."

Stefan snorted. "Me? The ex-

who cheated on her ister sister That's

lived with Camille for yours.

You know

new focus. "Why would I help her? Camille made

about what Camille wants from you," Alexander replied. "It's about doing the right

The words

turned away, moving to the apartment's single window. He stared out at the brick

"Watching someone you hurt succeed without you. Seeing

at Alexander. "Camille with Kane Industries. The Phoenix Grid. Her new life

isn't about

it's 'right' or because you're in love

the Phoenix Grid, then I've got nothing for you. But if you actually care about Alexander's carefully maintained composure cracked. "Of course I care

face the first time she'd truly smiled at him, not as Camille Kane but

"Yes, I'm in

if confirming something he'd already known. "At least

Camille Kane at that gallery opening, something felt familiar. I couldn't place it. Her face was different, but something in her eyes..." He "Would it have changed anything if you had?"

not. I was too far gone by then. Too caught up in Rose's web." He took another

"You're not the first

by her," Alexander said, though his tone carried

good for her" Stefan's voice roughened. "You want to know if Camille ever showed signs of mental instability? The answer is no. Not once. She was the sanest, m Then say that publicly," Alexander pressed. "Hold a press conference, Refute Rose's

bitterly. "And who would believe

credible source." "You're the only

with her daily for years," Alexander countered.

precisely

have no reason to defend her. Everyone knows she

winced at the blunt assessment. "Thanks for that

Camille is being destroyed by lies, and you're one of the few people who can help

between them. Stefan drained his glass,

need to do?"

before the morning shows air that interview with the Lewis parents. Publicly refute every claim Rose has made about Camille's mer "And admit my role in all this," Stefan added. "Admit I

"Yes."

the gray afternoon light. "You know what the hardest part of losing everything is? It's not the money or the status. It's losing the lies you tell yourself.

were already broken before Rose. That I fell in love with Rose naturally, not because she orchestrated

Stefan continued, "now that I've

clearly. Too clearly." He looked directly at Alexander. "I see what I threw away. What

now linked by their connection

slowly, "I'm not doing it for you. Or even for Camille, really.

"Why, then?" Alexander asked.

"Because it's true," Stefan

shoulders. "I'll hold your press conference. Tell the world exactly who Rose

thank me," Stefan warned. "I'm not doing this to help you

why I'm

it?" Stefan's eyes were knowing, "You love her. You want to protect her. I understand that drive better than you

to do this, it needs to be tomorrow morning. Early. Before the

contact my uncle's former PR team tonight. Nine AM press conference. Major

can handle the

"If I'm doing this, I'm doing it my way. Not as Alexander