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-

ister sister That's

lived with Camille for yours. You

You know Rose is

down his glass, studying Alexander with new focus. "Why would I help her? Camille made her feelings for

from you," Alexander replied. "It's about doing the right thing.

The words

away, moving to the apartment's single

strange?" he said finally. "Watching someone you hurt

something new from the ruins you left them in." He glanced back at Alexander. "Camille

isn't about me," Alexander

are you doing this because it's 'right' or because you're in love with her?" Alexander felt heat rise in his neck, caught off guard by the direct question. "My personal

business, protecting Kane Industries and your investment in 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 about her. I've watched her rebuild herself from nothing. Seen her fight through pain that would destroy most people." "That's not what I asked." Stefan's eyes never left Alexander's

not as Camille Kane but as herself. How

"Yes, I'm in love

he'd already known. "At least you're honest about it.

moved to the kitchenette, refilling his glass. "You know when I first saw 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

by then. Too caught up in Rose's web." He took another drink.

"You're not the first

her," Alexander said, though

threw away someone 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 claims. Tell the world what Camille was

bitterly. "And who would

hardly a credible source." "You're

lived with her daily for years," Alexander countered. "Your testimony carries

precisely

defend her.

the blunt assessment. "Thanks for

"I'm here because Camille is being destroyed

his glass, setting down

would I need to

Publicly refute every claim Rose has made about Camille's mer "And admit my role

"Yes."

part of losing everything is? It's not the money or the status. It's losing the lies

before Rose. That I fell in love with Rose naturally, not because she orchestrated it. That Camille would be fine without me." His lau Alexander

continued, "now

lies don't protect me anymore. I see everything clearly. Too clearly." He looked directly at Alexander. "I

rivals now linked by their

said slowly, "I'm not doing it for you.

"Why, then?" Alexander asked.

"Because it's true," Stefan

life." He straightened his shoulders. "I'll hold your press conference. Tell the world exactly who Rose Lewis is, and wh Camille really was." Alexander nodded, relief

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

changed tactics. "If you're going to do this, it needs

be." Stefan's voice strengthened with resolve. "I'll contact my uncle's former PR team tonight. Nine AM press conference.

handle the arrangements,"

I'm doing this, I'm doing it my way.