SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 94

Rose stepped onto the balcony of Herod's penthouse, a glass of champagne catching the golden light of sunset. Below, Manhattan sprawled in all its glittering glory, oblivious to the small victory celebration taki

"To successful beginnings," Herod said, joining her with his own glass. The evening breeze ruffled his dark hair, softening his usually severe appearance.

"Six p ix percent," Rose replied, satisfaction warming her voice "Six

percent drop in a single day. Millions wiped from Kane Industries' value."

Their glasses clinked, crystal meeting crystal with a delicate ring. Rose sipped the expensive champagne, bubbles dancing on her tongue. The taste of revenge was even sweeter than the Dom Pérignon. "You should have seen Victoria's face during that press conference," she said, leaning against the railing "So controlled on the surface, but I know that look in her eyes. She's rattled." iling. "So"

Herod studied her, his expression curious. "You enjoy this, don't you? Not just the outcome, but the process. The game itself.”

Rose considered this. "I never thought of myself as someone who enjoyed causing pain. But watching Camille squirm, seeing her precious project questioned." She trailed off, surprised by the Intensity of her fe "Most people lie to themselves

about such things," Herod observed, moving closer. "They pretend their revenge is only about justice, not pleasure."

"I stopped lying to myself a long time ago," Rose replied. When you grow up unwanted, you learn to see things clearly."

Something flickered in Herod's eyes, recognition, perhaps Understanding. The setting sun cast half his face in shadow, half in golden light, emphasizing the sharp angles of his cheekbones. "Your honesty is refreshing," he said.

Rose felt a strange flutter in her chest. For weeks, they had worked together with cold precision, their partnership purely transactional. But tonight, celebrating their first victory, something subtle had shifted in th "Tell me something real about yourself," she said suddenly "Not about your family or Victoria Kane or

business. Something I don't know yet."

Herod seemed surprised by the request. He

turned to face the skyline, considering.

finally. "Books from the 19th century, mostly. I find comfort in things that have survived

man who had revealed so

you read them?" Rose asked. "Or just

sleep won't come, I read by the window

vulnerable under his

crafting

devoted girlfriend. Revealing

admitted. "I nearly

a child, before the foster system. I've never been able to put

words hung between them, more revealing than she'd intended. Not just a

questions. He simply nodded, accepting her truth as

all have our depths we can't face," he said

she observed Herod taking the call. His posture shifted subtly, straightening, tensing. Business mode. She'd learned to

"Good news?" she asked.

he replied. "Our contact at the engineering firm has implemented the modified specs in

a familiar thrill of anticipation. "And

promised, but catastrophic for Kane Industries' reputation. Especially when the 'overlooked'

as her precious Phoenix Grid collapsed, taking

she said. "Just as they recover from this

arrives," Herod finished. "Patience

He

Rose found herself noticing details she'd previously ig "Why did you agree to help me?" she asked abruptly. "You had your own plans for Victoria. Why include me?" Herod considered her question carefully. "Initially? Strategy. Your knowledge of Camille's weakness "And

softening around the eyes, a slight tension at the corner of his mouth." Now I find our partnership

them. Ruse felt her heartbeat quicken. For so long, her relationships had been calculated moves in a larger game, Stefan, the men before him, each one a stepping ston This felt different. Dangerous in a new

the tension. "Not just champagne on the balcony.

asked, gesturing