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.

"We need to postpone the charity

No." Camille stood. "Everything is ready. The donors are confirmed. The hospital is counting on

2

out there," Victoria said sharply. "She's armed. She's desperate. And she wants

destroy me," Camille replied, her voice steady. "That hasn't

is now running from the

Victoria's words hanging in the air. Camille moved back to the window, looking out at the city she'd helped

sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. "This isn't about fear.

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

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.

Camille said, surprising them both. "Let

alarm clear in

her attacks in secret. But if she

bait," Alexander realized, his expression

find her before she finds us.

daughter, seeing not the broken woman she'd rescued from a parking garage, but someone new. Someone who had

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

Herod," Camille said quietly.

Rose. I know exactly what she's capable

way. Every

you stay by my side the entire night," Camille added, taking his hand. "No

on your own."

smiled slightly. "I

watched them, seeing their determination, their unity. She had taught Camille to face her enemies, to show strength instead of weakness.

this, we'll need a detailed security plan. One that assumes Rose will

"Already working

"I'll

focused on Camille. "You understand

anymore. She's cornered. Desperate.

been."

"I understand," Camille

soft but firm. "But I'm not the woman she tried to

Victoria's face, príde mixed with worry. "Just remember that not being afraid

Camille replied