SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 145

Rose paced the tiny motel room, her expensive boots wearing a path in the cheap carpet. The walls closed in on her, yellow from decades of cigarette smoke, spotted with water stains. How had if come to this? Lewis, hiding in this filthy place while her sister lived in luxury

The TV blared the noon news. Rose turned up the volume when she heard the words "Kane Industries."

"The annual Phoenix Foundation charity gala will proceed as planned this Friday night, despite recent

security concerns," the reporter announced "Camille Kane released a statement today confirming that the event, which raises funds for the Children's Hospital, will not be postponed."

The camera cut to Camille standing at a podium, looking confident and polished. "We refuse to let fear dictate our actions," she said, her voice strong. "The children who benefit from this gala need our support r Rose hurled her

coffee mug at the TV screen. It shattered, coffee splashing across Camille's face on the screen.

"Liar" Rose screamed. "Fake! Thief!"

Her whole body shook with rage. Once again, Camille was playing the hero, the perfect daughter, the generous benefactor. The role that should have belonged to Rose.

She kicked the dresser, pain shooting through her foot only fueling her anger. Everything had fallen apart. Herod was in the hospital, probably talking to the FBI right now. Her name and face were all over the ne this dump without being recognized.

All her careful plans, destroyed. The Grid still functioned. Kane Industries still thrived. Camille still stood tall beside Victoria

Kane.

Rose grabbed the remote and switched off the TV before she smashed it completely. She couldn't afford to draw attention. Not with every cop in the city looking for her.

She sank onto the bed, pressing her palms against her eyes. The headache that had started three days ago, when she'd shot Herod, pounded behind her temples. She hadn't slept more than two hours at a stretch since then. Every siren made her jump. Every knock on a nearby door sent her heart racing.

This wasn't how it was supposed to go. She was supposed to win.

Rose reached for her bag, pulling out the newspaper she'd bought that morning. The

front page showed a picture of Herod being wheeled into the hospital on a stretcher. The headline read: "BOMBING SUSPECT CRITICALLY WOUNDED, POLICE SEEK FEMALE ACCOMPLICE." Accomplice. The word burned in her mind. After everything she'd planned, everything she'd sacrificed, she was reduced to Herod's "accomplice." Not even the mastermind. Not even worth her own headline. Her gaze moved to the smaller article in the bottom corner: "PHOENIX FOUNDATION GALA EXPECTED TO DRAW CITY'S ELITE." Below it, details about the event. Friday night. Eight o'clock. The Grand Plaz would be tight, the article noted, but the guest list remained impressive. Business leaders. Politicians. Celebrities.

Rose read the article three times, her mind racing.

dress in their finest. Drink champagne. Congratulate themselves on their generosity. While

of

a physical blow. She'd been the one with the real plans, the real vision. She'd been the one willing to do whatever it took to win. And yet Camille, sweet, simple Camille who had never had to fight for any "Not this time," Rose whispered, her fingers tightening on the newspaper until it tore.

abruptly, a new

gala was the answer. One last strike, bigger

A final chance to destroy

built.

phone from her bag and dialed a number from memory. It rang three times

"Who is this?"

Rose said quietly. "I

"Anton's not

Successfully unlocked!

the FBI

I have money. A lot of

you're bad news.

put him on the phone," Rose snapped. "Tell him it's about finishing the Kane job, once and for

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Chapter 145

Then the sound of the phone changing

heavily accented voice.

can make it worth your while, Anton," Rose said, forcing her voice to remain calm "I need help with one

police watch all my businesses now, thanks

questioned daily."

rate," Rose offered. "Triple, if you can

for so long Rose feared he'd hung up. Finally, Anton spoke again, "What exactly do

the first real smile in days. "Something that will make a

big enough

I need it

charity gala," Anton said, not a question. "You know

the right tools." Rose sat down at the small desk in the corner of the room, pulling out a pen and notepad. "Here's what

the next twenty minutes, she detailed her requirements. Anton listened without interruption. When she finished, he named a price that would have made most people gasp. Rose didn't even flinch. "Half now, half when you deliver,"