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

trying to force a crisis of confidence. If the stock

let that happen," Alexander

need to be strategic. The board will

"And

question hung between them. What did she want? For months, her focus had been on

Alexander. Until that afternoon when she

omething beyond victory.

Successfully unlocked!

want..." she began, then stopped as

stood

should still be at

doctors

1/3

Chapter 119

moving forward. "You shouldn't

stiffness. Despite her recent surgery, she radiated authority, dressed impeccably in a

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

her desk, setting down a small leather portfolio. Her

finally. "This

to the New York Spectator website still

bracing for disappointment or

down, both of you. We don't have much time before

obeyed, taking chairs across

Victoria

confirmed. "Taken without our knowledge

financial

"I can prove it if

nodded. "Time is precisely

a crisis,

opened her portfolio. "Our

since the story broke. Trading was

me to step down," Camille

do," Victoria replied, unsurprised.

the easiest way to

does your board think

Alexander met her gaze

control your company," Victoria observed. "I control mine." She looked at Camille. "Or

your assessment of the attack?"

Camille straightened. "Two-

sophisticated. The photos were meant

stract, and embarrass.

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

vulnerable to acquisition,"

Victoria agreed.

we would issue

allegations, promise an

a purely professional relationship going forward." "Conventional indeed," Victoria said, disapprovingly. "And entirely reactive.

showed in Victoria's

charge. When they

expecting retreat. So instead, you confirm it. Proudly. On

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

seize control of the

relationship exists. Denying either makes

"Your companies compete in some markets, but also collaborate in others. The Phoenix Grid uses Pierce technology. There's no inherent conflict, just

it

tell them to see it,"

the window. "The question isn't what the board thinks. It's what you two think. Is this

Chapter 119

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