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."

move has

walked to

staring out at the city lights. Somewhere out there, Camille was probably celebrating her victory, laughing with Alexander about how they had turned Rose's attack against her. The thought mad "We need something bigger," she said, her breath

can't spin into a

reflection appearing behind her

face him. "Victoria.

and Camille loses her guide, her mentor, her backup

Herod said dismissively. "We've been

new fire burning in her eyes. "Everyone has secrets. Everyone

13

Chapter 121

studied her for a long moment. "You truly hate

Rose snapped automatically. "And hate doesn't begin to describe what I feel for

in waves. "Camille took everything from me. My reputation, my business, my future. She exposed me to

"I will not accept this. I will not let

fury burning through her.

and stepped

we'll find another way," he said, his

"What do you mean?"

“།

focused on financial maneuvers and public opinion. Perhaps it's time

the air between them. Rose felt her heart beat faster, not with fear but with a terrible

return to work next week, Herod interrupted. "The Phoenix Grid's final section goes live the day after. Both events will require their physical presence at specific locations, a His eyes held hers, dark and unblinking. “Predictability creates

discussed before. Not reputation destruction or financial ruin, but

fingers tracing the line of

Prestons have a long memory for those who destroy what's 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

didn't hesitate.

recognition, an understanding deeper than words. Herod's hand slid to the back of her neck, pulling her toward him. Their lips met in

Clothes fell away, scattered across the penthouse floor as they moved toward the bedroom. Rose welcomed

physical exhaustion. Beside her, Herod traced the

back from it." Rose turned to face him, her eyes glittering in the dim light. "I crossed

"You never told me the details

sounding hollow even to her own ears. "I just wanted her scared enough to leave town, to

"And now?"

much to chance." She sat up, the sheet falling away,

watched her, his expression