SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 117

The Kane Industries conference center buzzed with tension as stockholders filed into the auditorium. Camille watched from the wings, studying the anxious faces of investors and board members gathering for t "And the independent assessment?" Camille asked.

"Just arrived." Hannah handed her a sealed envelope. "The Grid exceeds every safety parameter by significant margins.”

Camille nodded, scanning the room again. "Is Herod here?"

"Fifth row center, moving toward the front."

She spotted him, confident and poised as he greeted several board members. The stage manager appeared, signaling they were ready.

Camille straightened Victoria's midnight blue jacket, tailored to fit her perfectly. Wearing it felt like carrying

a piece of Victoria's strength.

"He wants you to lose your temper," Hannah reminded her. "To appear emotional, unstable."

"I know exactly what he wants," Camille replied. "And he won't get it."

She stepped onto the stage, heels clicking against the polished floor as she moved to the podium.

"Good morning," she began, her voice steady. "Thank you for attending this emergency meeting. As interim

CEO during Victoria Kane's recovery, I felt it necessary to address certain rumors regarding the Phoenix Grid project."

She paused, finding Herod's face in the crowd. "Before we begin, Ms. Kane's doctors

report excellent progress in her recovery from exhaustion. She expects to return to full duties within two weeks."

A murmur ran through the audience. Victoria's collapse had already affected their stock price, dropping it three percent.

"The Phoenix Grid represents Kane

Industries' commitment to revolutionizing urban power distribution," Camille continued, displaying performance metrics. "Power efficiency has exceeded projections by twelve percent. Maintenance costs are trending seventeen percent below budget. And most importantly, zero safety incidents since inception."

As she presented more data, she noticed Herod rising from his seat.

"Ms. Kane," he called out. "If I might address the gathering?"

The room fell silent, all eyes shifting between them.

"Mr. Preston," she acknowledged, tone neutral. "I wasn't aware you were a Kane Industries shareholder."

Herod smiled, the expression not reaching his eyes. "A recent acquisition. My company now holds five percent of Kane Industries stock."

Louder murmurs spread

through the audience. Five percent was significant, not enough for control, but enough to demand attention.

"In that case," Camille said smoothly, "you're certainly

to speak.

with unhurried confidence, stopping at a distance that might appear respectful

felt intrusive

a significant shareholder, I

have recently come to my attention," he began, withdrawing a folder. "I've received technical analyses from

critical issues: relay overheating during peak demand, insufficient circuit breaker redundancy,

during power surges. Under certain conditions, sections

cascading failures leading to explosions

uncomfortably. A board member scribbled furious

concerns forward not as an attack,” Herod continued with false sincerity, "but out of genuine concern for public safety and shareholder value. If these issues prove valid, the liability alone could bar He turned to

background in, what was it before Victoria Kane adopted you? Fashion

Successfully unlocked!

deliberate slight hung

ed, studying the diagrams with

consideration.

"Thank you for

coolly. "May I ask about the source

prefer to remain anonymous, fearing professional

1/3

Chapter 117

understand completely," Camille replied. "Dr. Zhao,

project. MIT doctorate in electrical engineering, former lead designer for the European Union's sust Camille

friendly

data."

Hannah uploaded

are the actual schematics of the

currently implemented, not the theoretical models

each system. "The Grid

junction includes three independent circuit breakers

off protocols."

from Blackwood Engineering, the

at every connection point. We've tested the system against surges

to be based on outdated blueprints, blueprints

silence fell over the

weeks ago. The FBI has been investigating quietly to avoid market panic. We have reason to believe the modified blueprints were created specifically to She paused, letting her gaze move from Herod to

employment as

abruptly, knocking over his coffee in his

exit.

a muscle twitched in his jaw. "These are serious allegations. I merely

copies of Dr. Zhao's full technical report

information for their engineers, who are happy to

distributed folders

Grid, Camille continued, "Kane Industries' global headquarters will

to Grid power

schedule. Victoria Kane and I will personally be working from those offices during the transition. We believe in the safety of our technology enough to bet our lives on