SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 90

Camille sat frozen in Victoria's private office, eyes fixed on the television. Alexander paced behind her chair while Victoria stood near the window. The screen showed the Plazh Hotel ballroom converted into a p "Are you sure you want to watch this?" Alexander asked, touching Camille's shoulder.

Camille nodded, unable to speak, her throat tight and hands cold.

"They might still side with Rose," Victoria warned. "Be prepared."

The camera shifted to show Margaret and Richard Lewis entering. Camille sucked in a breath. Her parents looked older than she remembered, her father's shoulders stooped her mother's face drawn. Behind th "What is he doing there?" Camille whispered.

"Alexander's handiwork, I suspect," Victoria replied.

Richard adjusted the microphone, his hand trembling slightly. "Thank you all for coming. My wife and I have called this press conference to address the disturbing, allegations made against our daughter, Camille."

Margaret stepped closer. "Two days ago,, false stories began circulating about Camille's mental health. Fabricated medical records. Invented episodes. Lies designed to destroy not just her reputation, but her v Camille gripped her chair as her mother continued with unusual fierceness.

"These lies did not come from strangers. They came from someone we once trusted. Someone we welcomed into our family and loved as our own" Her voice broke. "Our adopted daughter, Rose." Murmurs rippled through the press. Richard placed a hand on Margaret's shoulder before speaking.

"For too long, we were blind to Rose's manipulation. We failed to see how she systematically undermined Camille, turned us against her, and eventually stole her husband." He glanced at Stefan. "We failed as p Margaret dabbed her eyes but continued. "Camille never had mental health issues. There were no hospitalizations, no treatments. The medical records being quoted don't exist."

A reporter called out, "Then why would Rose make these claims?"

Richard's face hardened. "Because Camille exposed Rose's lies at the Kane Foundation gala. Because Camille survived Rose's attempt to have her killed."

The room erupted with questions. Victoria increased the volume to hear over the clamor.

"Mrs. Lewis! Yesterday you were scheduled to appear on National Morning to confirm Rose's claims. What changed?"

Margaret's face showed raw pain. "Last night, I found Rose altering Camille's childhood journals, adding false entries about paranoia and violence. When confronted, Rose threatened us." She pulled a small leather-

bound book from her purse. "This is Camille's actual journal from when Rose first came to live with us."

Camille felt her heart stop as Margaret opened to a marked page.

August 17. Rose 'accidentally' spilled bleach on my science project today. Mom blamed me for leaving it where it could be damaged. This is the third time something important to me has been destroyed since R Margaret looked up, tears flowing. "There are dozens of entries like this. Small cruelties. Calculated sabotage. And we didn't listen."

In Victoria's office, Camille wiped her own tears, overwhelmed by this public acknowledgment of

her suffering

Richard gestured toward Stefan, who stepped forward reluctantly.

"My name is Stefan Rodriguez. I was married to Camille Levis for three years before betraying her with her sister.

The blunt admission caused another stir.

our marriage, Camille never displayed any signs of mental instability. She

everything Rose is

"Rose pursued me relentlessly. She told me Camille didn't love me. Classic manipulation

you saying Rose lied about Camille's

"Rose lied about

"The woman I thought I loved never

don't know is that

orchestrated our breakup, then manipulated me into dating

Camille," Stefan continued. "When Camille disappeared, Rose

squeezed Camille's shoulder. "He's actually doing it. He's telling

"Two nights before the articles of Camille mental instability came out

everyone will see who Camille really is." Now I realize she was

stepped forward again. "We have evidence that Rose orchestrated this media

Rose's direct involvement in fabricating

his wife. "Our daughter Camille is not mentally ill. She never was. The only person in our

expression hardened "Our daughter nearly died because of Rose's actions. This isn't about bu Stefan moved to the microphone again. "I've lost everything because of my mistakes. I'm not asking for sympathy. I'm here because it's time someone told the truth about Rose

again as

statement. To our daughter, Camille." She looked directly into the camera. "We failed you. We chose Rose over you. We didn't believe you when

proud of the woman you've become, with or without

her

silently offered a handkerchief,

off,"

images running. This changes everything. The narrative

footage. "Why?

what they stood to lose." Camille shook her head.

Or perhaps they finally understand that some things matter more

switched channels to the business network where an anchor

reversal as Kane Industries stock surges following the Lewis family press

Victoria's assistant rushed in. The Phoenix Grid partners are calling to reaffirm their commitment! And the board members who voted against Camille are requesting an emergency r Victoria smiled. “Tell them I'll

The assistant nodded

whose attention

you thinking?" Victoria asked

don't know what to feel," Camille admitted. "Grateful? Angry? It doesn't erase what they

complicate your neat categories of ally

checked his phone. "The market's already responding

my parents get all that evidence

had my team compile some files," Alexander admitted.

rang, her

screen. She stared at