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,

her focus

different Creation Legary.

funding package," Victoria

initial three cities, with conditional approval for

Pierce Industries remains committed to the partnership." Alexander added, "Solar generation, offshore wind integration, and distribution protocols.

saved her and given her purpose,

really doing this," she

doubt it?" Victoria raised

tually win."

a moment there,

expression darkened. “She miscalculated. Attacking your mental

Rose now?" Camille asked. "She's gone completely silent

"My sources say she hasn't left that building on Park Avenue. The

supplied. "A

That doesn't sound like Rose.

retreare i

choice," Victoria said with certainty. "She's been

else,"

is, she'll fail again. You

Snow!

departed, Victoria leaned forward, her expression serious. "Speaking of Stefan," she began, eyeing Alexander. "That press conference was

her gaze steadily. "One

coordinated it,” Victoria pressed

looked between them. "What are you

been making moves without consulting

flinch. "Would you have approved if

"That's not the point

*

point. Sometimes action

"You went to see Stelan that's where you

- Chapter

once.

"Why not tell me?"

wouldn't have

he had no reason to

simply "And we needed him. His testimony

but Camille sensed her disapproval. "Unilateral decisions are dangerous,

15

thinking during

matters. But next time, I want to know. Even if you think I'll disapprove." Something flickered in his eyes, a mixture of apology and deeper emotion.

Rose has been neutralized, we should discuss. security for

arranged," Alexander said. "Maximum coverage,

of coffee, letting the normalcy of project

wanted, to be defined by what she built, not by what

from her.

"Cities that can't be

"That vision is why I wanted to partner with Kane Industries in the first place." "And now?" Victoria asked,

"Now t

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

establish Kane Industries as the

conversation to safer ground. "The patents

allowed the deflection, though her knowing smile suggested she wasn't

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