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.

Camille. "We need to

donors are confirmed. The hospital is

2

Victoria said sharply. "She's armed. She's desperate. And she wants to

wanted to destroy me," Camille replied,

now running from the FBI," Victoria countered. "She's crossed a line, Camille. She's proven she's

out at the city she'd helped rebuild after Rose's attacks. Her city now. "I won't hide," she said finally. "I won't cancel the gala because I'm afraid

isn't

sending a 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 and hide, anytime she wants." "Better disrupted than dead," Victoria said

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 the perfect opportunit

them both. "Let her

began, alarm

ahead. "Rose is unpredictable when she's hiding, when she can plan her attacks in secret. But

to use the gala as bait," Alexander realized, his expression torn between admiration

find her before she finds

stared at her adopted 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 her felt

tried to

Camille said quietly. "I've

know exactly what she's

we do this, we do it my way. Every guest checked

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

on your own."

slightly. "I

taught Camille to face her enemies, to show strength instead of weakness. Now her student was putting

need a detailed security plan. One that assumes Rose will find a way in no matter

"Already working

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

Camille. "You understand what

She's cornered. Desperate. The most

been."

"I understand," Camille

firm. "But I'm not the woman she tried to destroy in that parking garage. I'm not afraid of her

with worry. "Just remember that not being afraid doesn't make

why we have security," Camille replied