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

be done." Camille turned toward the window. "They're trying to force a crisis of confidence. If the stock falls

let that happen," Alexander said

to him. "We need to be strategic. The board will

"And

focus had been on revenge, then

Alexander. Until that afternoon when she had

omething beyond victory.

Successfully unlocked!

she began, then stopped as the door

Kane stood in

froze. Victoria should still be

doctors had recommended another

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Chapter 119

said, moving forward. "You shouldn't

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

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

her desk, setting down a small leather portfolio. Her gaze

said finally. "This is

the New York

Camille acknowledged, bracing for disappointment

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

obeyed, taking chairs

real," Victoria stated.

confirmed. "Taken without our knowledge

financial documents?

firmly. "I can prove

nodded. "Time is precisely what Rose

strategy, create a crisis, then exploit the

opened her portfolio. "Our stock has fallen

was temporarily halted, but

board wants me to step down," Camille said

course they do," Victoria replied, unsurprised. "They're panicking,

the easiest way to stop the bleeding." She

Alexander. "And you? What does your board think of this...

Alexander met her gaze

but they're standing behind me." "Because you control your company," Victoria observed. "I control mine." She looked at Camille. "Or rather, we a flicker

of

Camille straightened. "Two-

The photos were meant to create

stract, and embarrass.

the real attack, designed to undermine confidence in both Kane Industries and Pierce Enterprises

vulnerable to

Victoria agreed.

hesitated. "Conventionally, we would

an

that Alexander and I would be maintaining a purely professional relationship going forward." "Conventional indeed," Victoria

Victoria's expression. "When attacked, advance. When

you to retreat, charge. When they expect denial,

shame, expecting retreat. So instead,

her mentor, momentarily speechless. "You want us to publicly acknowledge

you to seize control of

Denying either makes you appear dishonest

"Your companies compete in some markets, but also collaborate in others. The Phoenix Grid

see it that way," Camille

I tell them to see it," Victoria replied with steel in

two think. Is this relationship real? Or is it merely a distraction, a moment of weakness during

Chapter 119

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