SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 121

Rose hurled the crystal glass

across the penthouse. It shattered against the wall in a spray of liquid and glittering shards. On the television screen, Camille and Alexander stood side by side at their press conference, hands joined, faces com "How?" Rose screamed at the screen. "How is this happening?"

She grabbed the remote, increasing the volume to hear her sister's voice, calm, dignified, unashamed: "Yes, Alexander Pierce and I are in a relationship. It began recently, but it is genuine and important to both Genuine. Important. The words

burned in Rose's ears like acid. This was not how it was supposed to go. Camille should have been destroyed by this exposure, her reputation in tatters, her position at Kane Industries compromised. Instead, sl Rose grabbed another glass, ready to send it flying, when the penthouse door opened. Herod entered, his face a thundercloud of barely contained rage. He tossed his phone onto the coffee table, where it displ "They've turned it around completely," he said, his voice dangerously quiet. "The market is responding positively to their announcement. The financial

documents we planted are being questioned by every major outlet."

"I can see that," Rose snapped, gesturing to the television where financial analysts were now discussing the "Kane-

Pierce power alliance" with enthusiasm. "They're practically celebrating them!"

Herod loosened his tie with sharp, angry movements. "Victoria. This has her fingerprints all

over it. Only she would have the audacity to turn a scandal into a strategic announcement."

Rose paced across the penthouse, unable to contain the energy coursing through her. "I planned this perfectly," she hissed. "The photos, the timing, the fake emails, it should have destroyed them both!"

"Yet here we are," Herod said, pouring himself a drink from the bar. He didn't offer Rose one, knowing she was beyond such niceties now. "Our strategy has not only failed but backfired spectacularly."

On the screen, the camera showed Camille and Alexander leaving the press conference together. The commentator's voice gushed: *"In an age of spin and denial, the directness of Kane and Pierce's approach

has resonated deeply with the public. Social media is overwhelmingly supportive, with many praising their honesty and courage in the face of what appears to be a targeted attack.“*

"Turn it off," Rose demanded, her voice shaking with fury. "Turn it off now."

Herod obliged, the screen going black, leaving only their reflections staring back at them, Rose with her hair disheveled from running her hands through it repeatedly, Herod still outwardly composed but with rag "This was your strategy," he reminded her, a dangerous edge to his voice. "Your expertise in social manipulation. Your certainty that exposing their relationship would destroy them."

Rose whirled on him. "Don't you dare blame this all on me! You approved every step. You provided the resources, the connections to get

those photos, to plant those documents."

"Which we've now wasted," Herod replied coldly. "Hundreds of thousands of dollars for what? To make your sister and Pierce more popular than ever? To strengthen Kane Industries' stock position?" Rose's hands curled into fists, nails digging into her palms hard enough to leave half-

moon

marks. "It should have worked," she insisted. "No one recovers from a scandal like this. No one."

glass. "The question is, what now? Our opening move has failed. We've lost the element of surprise. They'll be watching for

to

about how

glass. "Something they can't spin

asked, his reflection appearing behind her in the

turned to face him. "Victoria.

and Camille loses her

Herod said dismissively. "We've

in her eyes. "Everyone

13

Chapter 121

long moment. "You truly hate

not my sister," Rose snapped automatically. "And hate doesn't begin to describe what I feel

"Camille took everything from me. My reputation, my business, my future. She exposed me to the world as a fraud,

with rage, with injustice, with the bitter taste of defeat. "I will not accept this. I will not let her win. Not after everything I've sacrificed, everything I've endured." Something shifted in Herod's expression as he

appreciation for the fury burning through

glass and

another way," he said, his voice lower now. "A more direct

"What do you mean?"

“།

been too subtle. Too focused on financial maneuvers and public opinion. Perhaps it's time for

hung in the air between them. Rose felt her heart beat faster, not with fear

day after. Both

felt her breath catch. This was new territory, beyond anything they had discussed before. Not reputation destruction or financial ruin,

came up, fingers tracing the line

ours. Victoria took everything from my family. I've waited years for my chance at justice." His touch sent an ele "And you?" he asked, his fingers still against her

hesitate. "All

her neck, pulling her toward him. Their lips met in

kind of heat that raced through her veins. She pressed against him, fingers digging into his shoulders hard enough to bruise. Their bodies collided like st Clothes fell away, scattered across the penthouse floor as they moved toward the bedroom. Rose welcomed the pain of his grip, the harsh press of his mouth against

exhaustion. Beside her, Herod traced the

no coming back from it." Rose turned to face him, her eyes glittering in the

never told me the details of

to her own

"And now?"

my mistake. Half measures. I left too much to chance." She sat up, the sheet falling away, her naked body silver in the moonlight streaming same error. This time, there will be

her, his expression