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 their

admission was unexpected, a small, human detail about a man who had revealed so little of himself beyond his thirst

them?" Rose asked. "Or just collect

nights, when sleep won't come, I read by the window until dawn." He glanced at her. "Your turn.

vulnerable

to crafting herself for

the devoted girlfriend. Revealing

swim,” she admitted. "I

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

more revealing than she'd intended. Not just a fact, but a

fill the silence with empty reassurances or prying questions. He simply

have our depths we can't face," he

himself, stepping back into the penthouse. Rose remained on the balcony, watching darkness claim the city. Lights flickered on across Manhattan, creating new constella Through the glass doors, she observed Herod taking the call. His posture shifted subtly, straightening, tensing. Business mode. She'd learned to read his body language during their weeks of planning.

"Good news?" she asked.

at the engineering firm has implemented the modified specs in the Brooklyn site components. Everything appears exactly

familiar thrill of anticipation. "And

but catastrophic for Kane Industries' reputation. Especially when the

Camille watching helplessly as her precious Phoenix Grid collapsed, taking her

she said. "Just as they recover from this week's crisis,

Herod finished.

He

hers as he handed back her drink. The brief contact sent an unexpected warmth up her arm. 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

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

Implication hung in the air between 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

the tension. "Not just champagne on

gesturing toward