SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 92

The private dining room at Per Se glowed with amber light, Manhattan's skyline twinkling beyond floor-

to-

ceiling windows. Camille swirled her wine, watching the deep red liquid catch the light. The remnants of their nine -

course meal and two bottles of Bordeaux scattered across the table.

"To resurrection," Victoria said, raising her glass, platinum hair shimmering in the candlelight.

"To truth," Alexander added from beside Camille.

"To unexpected allies," Camille said, joining the toast with a delicate clink of crystal, thinking of her parents and Stefan defending her when she least expected it.

After days of crisis management, simply sitting and breathing felt like luxury.

"The board has officially reversed their position," Victoria said. "The emergency meeting lasted ten minutes. Gordon couldn't backpedal fast enough."

Alexander smiled. "Amazing how quickly principles dissolve when stock prices recover."

"They never had principles," Victoria replied. "Just fear. And fear is always temporary."

Camille observed them, two business titans who had circled each other warily for years, their usual tension softened by their common goal of protecting her.

"I still can't believe my parents did that," Camille said. "After everything, they actually stood up for me." Victoria studied her. "Have you decided whether to return your mother's call?"

Camille shook her head. The voicemail remained unanswered.

"They took a significant risk," Alexander noted. "Publicly admitting they failed you. Exposing Rose."

"Why now, though?" Camille asked. "After years of choosing Rose, why stand with me when it might cost them everything?"

Victoria sipped

thoughtfully. "People rarely change unless the cost of staying the same becomes unbearable."

"Or unless they finally see the truth," Alexander added, his eyes meeting Camille's. "Sometimes we don't recognize what matters until we nearly lose it."

The weight of his gaze made Camille look away; suddenly conscious of the current between them, unspoken but growing stronger. She focused instead on the skyline.

"Either way," she said finally, "it changes nothing about our plans. The Phoenix Grid launches in ten days. We move forward."

Victoria smiled slightly, approval evident. "Spoken like a tree Kane."

"The permits came through for the Brooklyn site," Alexander said. "Construction crews begin tomorrow."

"And the Chicago location?" Victoria asked.

"Ready for phase one. The mayor wants to be present for the groundbreaking."

Camille felt excitement flutter beneath her ribs. The Phoenix Grid, her project, her vision, her chance to build something lasting, Clean, sustainable energy flowing through revitalized Infrastructure.

"The testing results exceeded expectations," she said proudly. "Efficiency ratings fifteen percent higher than projected. We'll revolutionize urban power distribution."

Alexander's hand found hers under the table, a brief squeeze of understanding. He knew what this meant to her, not just business

success,

long, her focus had been destruction. The Phoenix Grid represented

different Creation Legary.

authorized the full funding package," Victoria said. "Eight billion

cities, with conditional approval

committed to the partnership." Alexander added, "Solar generation, offshore wind integration, and

Victoria who had saved her and given her purpose, Alexander who had

this," she

doubt it?" Victoria

tually win."

week? Maybe. For a moment there, it seemed like Rose might

darkened. “She miscalculated. Attacking your mental stability without evidence

Camille asked. "She's

signaled for coffee. "My sources say she hasn't left that building on Park Avenue. The one owned by

Holdings," Alexander supplied. "A shell

frowned. "You think she's hiding? That doesn't sound

retreare i

retreats when they have no choice," Victoria said with certainty. "She's been exposed, humiliated. She's

something else," Camille

"If she is, she'll fail again. You have

Snow!

expression serious. "Speaking of Stefan," she began, eyeing Alexander. "That press conference was remarkably well-

gaze steadily. "One might

as if someone had coordinated it,” Victoria

them. "What

has been making moves without consulting us," Victoria

you have approved if I

"That's not the point

*

the point. Sometimes

"You went to see Stelan that's where you were

- Chapter

nodded once.

"Why not tell me?"

wouldn't have approved

had no reason to defend

needed him. His

remained neutral, but Camille sensed her disapproval.

15

thinking during a crisis," he

matters. But next time, I want to know. Even if you think I'll disapprove." Something flickered in his eyes,

has been neutralized, we should discuss. security for

arranged," Alexander said. "Maximum coverage, minimum

normalcy

be defined by what she built, not

from her.

said. "Cities that can't be blacked out.

I wanted to partner with Kane Industries in the first place."

"Now t

the person behind it are equally compelling," he replied, not looking away from Camille. The air between them thickened. Camille felt

Kane

the conversation to safer ground. "The patents will transform

deflection, though her knowing smile suggested she wasn't fooled "Indeed. Which is why the launch must be

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