SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 144

Camille stood at the window of her office, a cup of coffee cooling in her hands as she watched the city below. The Phoenix Grid had fully recovered from the bombings, with the repairs finished ahead of schedul Until Alexander Pierce walked in, his face grim.

"We need to talk," he said, closing the door behind him.

Something

in his voice made Camille's stomach tighten. She set down her coffee cup. "What happened?"

Alexander

loosened his tie, a gesture he only made when upset. "Herod Preston was shot three times in a motel room yesterday. He'd called the FBI to turn himself in, but before they got there, someone tried to kill him.” "Rose," Camille said immediately. It wasn't a question.

Alexander nodded. "The motel room was registered under her name. She escaped through the bathroom window. Police are still looking for her."

Camille sank into her chair, trying to process this news. "Is Preston dead?"

"No.

But it's close. He's in intensive care, heavily guarded." Alexander sat on the edge of her desk. "The FBI thinks Rose shot him to keep him from talking. He was about to tell them everything." "About her involvement in the bombings."

"Yes."

Camille stared at her hands, noticing they were perfectly steady despite the storm inside her. Three years ago, news of Rose's latest violence would have shaken her. Now it just confirmed what she already kne "So Rose is on the run," Camille said. "With the FBI hunting her."

"Yes. But that makes her more dangerous, not less." Alexander reached for Camille's hand. "She has nothing left to lose

now."

Before Camille could respond, the door opened again. Victoria Kane

swept in, her face pale but determined. Despite her recent surgery, she moved with purpose, though Camille noticed she leaned slightly on her cane.

"You've told her?" Victoria asked Alexander.

"Just now," he confirmed.

turned to Camille. "We need to postpone

The donors

2

"She's armed. She's desperate. And she wants to

to destroy me," Camille replied,

that she's shot a man three times and is now running from

the window, looking out at the city she'd helped rebuild after Rose's attacks. Her city now. "I won't

with frustration. "This isn't about fear. It's about common sense.

message," Camille insisted, turning to face her mentor. "If we cancel the gala, Rose wins. She'll know she can disrupt our lives, make us run

watched them both, his face thoughtful. “"What if we went ahead with the gala, but with increased security? My team plus Kane Industries security. The FBI might even provide protection if we tell then Victoria shook her head. "Too risky. Rose knows this event is important to Camille. She'll see it as

them

Victoria began, alarm clear in

hiding, when she can plan her attacks in secret. But if she comes to the

bait," Alexander

eyes burned with determination. "We find her before

daughter, seeing not the broken woman she'd rescued from a parking garage, but someone new. Someone who had been forged in fire and emerged stronger. Part of

has already tried to kill Herod. She won't hesitate to

not Herod," Camille said

know exactly what she's

way. Every guest checked and rechecked. Security at every entrance.

my side the entire night," Camille added, taking his hand.

on your own."

smiled slightly. "I wouldn't dream of

unity. She had taught Camille to face her enemies, to show strength instead of weakness.

security plan.

"Already working

assured her. "I'll have a draft by this

nodded, then focused on Camille. "You understand

cornered. Desperate. The most

been."

"I understand," Camille

I'm not the woman she tried

across Victoria's face, príde mixed with worry. "Just remember

Camille replied with