SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 119

The

Kane Industries executive suite had transformed into a war room. Phones rang without pause. Screens displayed financial tickers bleeding red. In the center of the chaos stood Camille, her face a mask of calm.

"They're calling from everywhere," Hannah said, covering her phone. "Forbes, CNN, MSNBC. They all want a statement about the photos."

Camille stared at the

largest screen showing the New York Spectator's website with her

and Alexander's private moment splashed across it. Their embrace

on his yacht, now public property.

"Who leaked these?" she asked, her voice controlled despite the violation she felt.

"We're working on it," said Michael Chen, head

of security. "The metadata suggests they were taken three days ago on Mr. Pierce's yacht."

Camille's fingers tightened around her coffee cup. Three days ago. The afternoon she had allowed herself a few hours of peace. The first time she had felt truly alive since Victoria's collapse. Her phone buzzed. Alexander.

*I'm downstairs. Security won't let me up.*

She texted back: *Coming down.*

“I'll be back in five minutes,” she told Hannah. “Keep monitoring the stock situation."

"It's still falling," Hannah warned. "Down twenty-three points since the photos

hit, and the financial allegations aren't helping."

The fabricated

documents suggesting Alexander had pursued her for insider information had emerged just as the photo scandal peaked. A perfect one- two punch designed to destroy her reputation and their relationship.

Camille rode the private elevator down. When the doors opened, she spotted Alexander immediately.

"This way," she said, leading him to another elevator requiring her thumbprint. Once inside, away from prying eyes, her guard dropped slightly.

"I'm sorry," Alexander said immediately. "I should have been more

careful. My security team is trying to determine..."

"It wasn't your fault," Camille interrupted. "It was a targeted attack. The timing, the financial 'revelations' emerging right after the photos, this was planned."

Alexander's face darkened. "Rose and Herod."

Camille nodded. "Who else would benefit from discrediting us both simultaneously?"

The elevator opened directly into Victoria's office, now temporarily Camille's.

"The board is meeting in an hour," Camille said. "Several members have already called for my resignation."

"Based on what? That you have a personal life?"

"Based on the suggestion that my personal life creates a

conflict of interest." She gestured to a tablet. "These documents they're circulating, they're fake, but convincing. Emails showing you

pursued me for information about Kane Industries. Records suggesting you've been buying our stock through proxies."

Alexander scanned the article with growing anger. "These emails

never existed. I can prove it."

"By the time

the window. "They're trying to force a crisis of confidence. If the stock falls

won't let that

be strategic. The board will want

stepped closer. "And what

What did she want? For months, her focus had been on revenge, then on Victoria's recovery, then on proving herself worthy.

Until that afternoon when she had

omething beyond victory.

Successfully unlocked!

she began, then stopped as the door

stood in the

still be at

doctors had recommended another week of

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Chapter 119

forward. "You

the slightest stiffness. Despite her recent surgery, she

I'm needed," she said simply. "And clearly,

leather portfolio. Her gaze traveled from

she said finally.

to the New York Spectator

acknowledged, bracing

"Sit down, both of you. We don't have much time before the board

chairs

real," Victoria

confirmed. "Taken without our knowledge three

the financial documents?

"I can prove it if given

"Time is precisely what Rose and

create a crisis, then exploit

"Our

story broke. Trading was temporarily halted, but

to

do," Victoria replied, unsurprised.

to stop the

does your

Alexander met her gaze

you control your company," Victoria observed. "I control mine." She looked at Camille. "Or rather, we a

of the attack?"

Camille straightened. "Two-

photos were

stract, and embarrass.

financial allegations were the real attack, designed to undermine confidence in both Kane Industries

both companies vulnerable to acquisition," Alexander

Victoria agreed. "And your

we would

allegations, promise an investigation, and..." She paused.

forward." "Conventional indeed," Victoria said, disapprovingly. "And entirely reactive. You're letting them dictate the t "What would you suggest?"

Victoria's expression. "When attacked,

charge. When they expect denial,

exposed your relationship, expecting shame, expecting retreat. So instead,

momentarily speechless. "You want us to publicly acknowledge our relationship?

you to seize control

exists. Denying either makes

collaborate in others. The Phoenix Grid uses Pierce technology. There's no inherent conflict, just

it

to see it," Victoria replied with

the board thinks. It's what you two think. Is this relationship real? Or is it merely a distraction, a moment

Chapter 119

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