SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 123

Herod stared at the monitors, his knuckles white as he gripped the edge of his desk. The data scrolling across the screens made no sense. According to every parameter, the Phoenix Grid

should be showing signs of stress by now. The modified circuits James Walsh had installed were designed to create power fluctuations after seventy-

two hours. That deadline had passed yesterday.

Yet the Grid ran perfectly.

He pulled up news footage of Victoria Kane's press conference from that morning, where she proudly announced the successful activation of the Grid's third section. Her silver hair gleamed under the lights as s Something was very wrong.

"Damn

it," he muttered, slamming his palm against the desk. The coffee cup beside his keyboard jumped, spilling dark liquid across his papers.

Behind him, the penthouse door opened. Rose entered, carrying shopping bags from exclusive boutiques, her face flushed with the particular pleasure she took in spending his money.

"You won't believe what I found at Bergdorf's," she began, then stopped when she saw his expression. "What is it?”

Herod gestured at the screens. "The Grid. It's still functioning perfectly."

Rose set down her bags, moving to stand behind him. "Maybe it's just delayed. The failure might still happen."

"No." He pulled up the schematics Walsh had worked from. "These modifications

should have created visible problems within seventy-two hours. It's been ninety-

six. Nothing has happened."

He swiveled in his chair to face her. "They found our sabotage."

Rose's eyes narrowed. "That's impossible. Walsh had clearance. No

one questioned him."

"Yet here we are." Herod stood, pacing the length of

his office. The Manhattan skyline stretched beyond the windows, Kane Industries tower visible in the

distance, mocking

with its uninterrupted power supply. "They not only found it, they corrected it without alerting anyone, without changing their timeline. They wanted us to think our plan was working." "Have you

Herod's voice tightened with frustration. "He

him knowing. No one has approached him

Rose sank into

her shopping forgotten. "So they somehow

Walsh as

brought up another screen, showing Kane Industries stock price over the past week. Despite their

Grid's safety, despite the

and Alexander's relationship, the stock

he

stood abruptly, her

the floor. "No.

this sabotage. And for what? To make Kane Industries stronger? To turn your sister and Pierce into New York's favorite couple?" He gestured to a newspaper on his desk, the society pages open to a

Camille and Alexander at the

he kissed her,

their humiliation but had somehow become

Grid sabotage, discovered and fixed. The relationship scandal,

stared at the photograph, something dark

stop playing their game. We stop

"What does that mean?"

glittering with dangerous intent. "It means we take

felt a chill at her tone.

closer, her voice

her name? Hannah Zhao. Remove them,

studying her face.

his chest, fingers splayed across his expensive shirt. "We've tried it your way. The financial maneuvers, the technical sabotage, the She gestured to the screens showing the Grid's perfect performance metrics. "Nowhere. It's time for

his. "The Grid goes online fully next week. Victoria is scheduled to throw the switch personally at their headquarters. Everyone will

Camille, Alexander, the board, the

released her hand, turning away. "You're talking about

about results." Rose followed him, unwilling to let him retreat. "Isn't that what

like this." Herod ran a hand through his hair, suddenly

acquire the company legitimately, through stock purchases and board pressure. Business,

enough to cut. "Legitimately? After everything we've done? The sabotage, the leaked photos,