SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 99:

Morning sunlight

bathed the construction site in golden light as hundreds gathered for the Phoenix Grid groundbreaking ceremony. Camera crews swarmed like bees, jostling for position around the stage erected at the center of Behind the stage, in a temporary structure serving as a preparation area, Camille stared at her reflection in a full-

length mirror. Her cream-colored suit

was impeccable, her makeup flawless, the perfect corporate image Victoria had taught her to project. Yet beneath this polished exterior, unease churned in her stomach.

Hannah Zhao, the chief engineer, poked her head through the doorway. "Five minutes, Ms. Kane."

Camille nodded, adjusting the phoenix pin on her lapel. Even after discovering the blueprint discrepancies, Victoria had insisted the ceremony proceed as planned. "We don't show weakness," she had declared we never, ever let our enemies know we've spotted them."

The door opened again. Alexander entered, handsome in a navy suit, his presence immediately filling the small

space.

"Nervous?" he asked, coming to stand behind her.

Their eyes met in

the mirror. “Not about the speech," Camille admitted. "But knowing Rose is out there somewhere, watching, planning.....” Alexander rested his

hands lightly on her shoulders. Through the fabric of her suit jacket, his touch sent warmth spreading across her skin.

"We've triple-

checked the modifications to Hannah's designs," he reminded her. "The sabotage attempt failed. The Grid is safe."

"For now." Camille turned to face him. "But Rose won't stop. Neither will her

mystery partner. And we still don't know who he is."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "My team is close to identifying him. Very close."

"You'll tell me as soon as you know?"

"Immediately," he promised, though something flickered in his eye, a hesitation so brief Camille almost missed

1. it.

A production assistant tapped on the door. "Ms. Kane? We're ready for you."

Camille took a deep breath, centering herself. Alexander caught her hand.

"Remember," he said softly, "this is about more than beating Rose. This is your vision. Your

creation."

She squeezed his fingers, drawing strength from his steadiness. "Our creation," she corrected. Together they walked out

the sunlight, where hundreds of faces turned toward them. Camera

stood at the podium,

Victoria's voice rang out over the crowd. "Today

that will transform New York's energy future. It also represents the culmination of a vision, a vision

Chapter 99

steps to wild applause. For a heartbeat, standing beside Victoria, Camille flashed back to twenty

microphone. The crowd hushed. Hundreds of eyes fixed on her face. Somewhere in that sea of humanity, Camille knew,

the storm of emotions inside her. "The Phoenix Grid represents more than sustainable energy.

his presence a silent anchor. Beside him sat

had

after the phoenix for a reason," Camille continued. "In mythology, the phoenix burns completely, reduced to ashes, yet rises again, not just restored, but made stronger by the very fire tha Her eyes swept across the crowd, making brief contact with individuals, connecting with them just as Victoria had

project to fruition. There were those who said it

through the crowd. Everyone remembered the stock manipulation, the media attacks, the

didn't just survive those challenges, we transformed them into opportunities.

designs, to build something better than we had originally

Camille paused, letting her

she caught sight of a flash of movement, a woman with dark glasses slipping behind a

with backup systems that ensure no neighborhood experiences blackouts while others have

of her speech continued for several minutes, detailing the Grid's innovations. Throughout, Camille

though her senses remained hyperalert for any sign of Rose

more personal. "But today, I want to speak not just about energy transformation, but

crowd stilled, sensing

experienced moments when everything you

seemed to crumble beneath your

Alexander leaned forward slightly, his eyes

that

from our own ashes as something stronger, wiser, more resilient than Her hand reached up to touch

past. But they allow us

Chapter 99

parts especially, as fuel for

Camille Kane, Victoria's carefully crafted heir. She was speaking as herself,

represents Kane Industries' commitment to sustainable energy. But it also symbolizes something I believe in my soul, that transformation isn't just possible. It's inevitable, if we have the coura Applause erupted, scattered at first, then building to a thunderous wave. Victoria, standing to the side, nodded once, a gesture of approval that meant more

subsided, "I'd like to invite Alexander Pierce, whose

solar technology that powers the Grid, to join me for the

in a few graceful strides. Standing beside Camille, he seemed to belong there, his quiet strength complementing her

Grid represents the future," Alexander said into the microphone, his deep voice carrying across the crowd. "But it also represents what happens when visionaries come together. Kane Industries

Together, we've created something neither could have achieved

and something in his gaze

partnerships are simply meant

anyone watching. A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd as cameras clicked frantically, capturing

breaking the tension. "And now,

shovels waited at the edge of the stage. Victoria, Camille, and Alexander descended the

turning over the first symbolic scoop of dirt as cameras flashed and

interviews, photos, congratulations from politicians and business leaders. Through it all, Camille maintained her professional

Camille found herself alone

magnificent," he said quietly. "Your speech about transformation, it wasn't just words for you,