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

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

let that

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

"And what do you

focus had been on revenge, then

Until that afternoon when

omething beyond victory.

Successfully unlocked!

then stopped as the

Kane stood

be at home recovering. The

her doctors had

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Chapter 119

moving forward. "You shouldn't be

concern, walking in with only the slightest stiffness. Despite her recent surgery, she radiated authority, dressed impeccably

I'm needed," she said simply.

portfolio. Her

said finally. "This is our

the New York Spectator

bracing for disappointment or

"Sit down, both of you. We don't have much

taking chairs

real," Victoria

without our knowledge

financial documents? The

firmly. "I can prove it if given

is precisely what Rose and

us. A classic strategy, create a crisis,

opened her portfolio. "Our stock has

was temporarily halted, but has resumed with

to step

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

easiest way to stop

does your board think

Alexander met her gaze

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

assessment of

Camille straightened. "Two-

photos were meant

stract, and embarrass.

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

vulnerable to acquisition,"

Victoria agreed. "And your

hesitated. "Conventionally, we

an investigation, and..." She

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

respect showed in Victoria's expression. "When

charge.

exposed your relationship, expecting shame, expecting retreat. So instead, you confirm it. Proudly. On your

"You want us to publicly

to seize control of

exist. The relationship exists. Denying either makes you appear dishonest or

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

it

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

stood, moving to the window. "The question isn't what the board thinks. It's what you two think. Is this relationship real? Or is it merely a

Chapter 119

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