SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

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

let that happen,"

turned back to him. "We need to be strategic. The board will want to separate us

closer. "And

want? For months, her focus had been on revenge, then on Victoria's

afternoon

omething beyond victory.

Successfully unlocked!

began, then stopped as

stood

should still be at home

been successful, but her doctors had recommended another week

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Chapter 119

she said, moving forward. "You shouldn't

the slightest stiffness. Despite

I'm needed," she said

a small leather portfolio. Her gaze traveled

she said finally. "This

to the New York Spectator

bracing for disappointment

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

obeyed, taking chairs across from

are real," Victoria stated. Not a

without

financial documents?

answered firmly. "I can prove it if

precisely what Rose and

strategy, create a crisis, then exploit the

portfolio. "Our stock has

story broke. Trading was temporarily

wants me to

do," Victoria replied, unsurprised. "They're

the easiest way to stop the bleeding."

What does

Alexander met her gaze

"They're concerned about the suggestions of impropriety, but they're standing behind me." "Because you control your company," Victoria observed. "I control mine." She looked at Camille. "Or rather,

your assessment of the

Camille straightened. "Two-

sophisticated. The photos were meant to create

stract, and embarrass.

designed to undermine confidence in both Kane Industries and Pierce Enterprises

vulnerable to acquisition," Alexander

Victoria agreed.

hesitated. "Conventionally, we would

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

"Conventional indeed," Victoria said, disapprovingly. "And entirely reactive. You're

respect showed in Victoria's expression. "When attacked, advance. When

charge. When they

"They've exposed your relationship, expecting shame, expecting retreat. So instead,

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

you to seize control of the

Denying either makes you appear

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

won't see it that

to see it," Victoria replied with steel in her voice. "I

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

Chapter 119