SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 175

Camille stood at the window of her office, Victoria's office, until yesterday... watching raindrops race down the glass. Each drop chased another, sometimes merging, sometimes veering off on separate paths. Like lives, she thought. Sometimes joined, sometimes divided, all eventually reaching the same destination.

The folder on her desk contained documents that had taken her legal team all night to prepare. Papers that would reshape lives, just as Victoria's announcement yesterday had reshaped hers.

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. Alexander entered, carrying two coffee cups and wearing the look of a man who hadn't slept much.

"The press is still camped in the lobby," he said, handing her a cup. "You'd think Victoria announced she was selling the company to aliens."

Camille smiled, grateful for his attempt to lighten the mood. "Are you ready for the meeting?"

"I'm not the one they'll be watching." Alexander nodded toward the folder. "Are you sure about this?"

That question again. Since she'd made her decision last night, everyone had asked it, her legal team, the board members she'd called, and now Alexander. Only Victoria hadn't questioned her, simply nodding when Camille explained her plan.

"Yes," she answered, more firmly than she felt. "I'm sure."

Alexander touched her arm. "Then I'm with you."

"Even though you think it's a mistake?"

His fingers traced a gentle path from her elbow to her hand. "I think it's generous. Too generous, maybe. But it's your decision to make."

Before she could respond, her assistant opened the door. "They're ready for you in the conference room."

Camille took a deep breath and picked up the folder. This would be her first official act as CEO. Not expanding the business or securing a new market, but giving something back.

"Let's go," she said.

The conference room hushed as they entered. Eight people sat around the long table, her legal team on one side, the Rodriguez representatives on the other.

At the far end, Stefan sat stiffly in his chair. His arm remained in a sling, his face paler than she remembered. Their eyes met briefly before he looked away.

Camille took her seat at the head of the table, Alexander settling beside her. She placed the folder before her, letting the silence stretch a moment longer.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," she began. "As you know, Victoria Kane stepped down as CEO yesterday, naming me as her successor. This is my first official meeting in that role."

She opened the folder, revealing the stack of papers within.

"These documents represent my first executive decision as CEO of Kane Industries. In essence, they reverse the acquisition of Rodriguez Shipping assets that occurred three months ago."

Murmurs rippled around the table. Stefan's head snapped up, his eyes widening.

"To be clear," Camille continued, "Kane Industries will return controlling interest in Rodriguez Shipping to the Rodriguez family, specifically to Stefan Rodriguez, effective immediately upon signing."

The Rodriguez attorneys exchanged startled glances. One began hurriedly flipping through his notes, as if searching for the trap.

Stefan simply stared at her, his face a battlefield of emotions, disbelief, confusion, suspicion.

Kane," he spoke finally, his voice rougher

systematically dismantled Rodriguez Shipping during her revenge campaign. Even those

"And I'm more interested in what can

to her lead attorney, who distributed copies of the agreement to everyone present. "However, there

trap, Stefan's face seemed to say. His body

will adopt and maintain

subject

frowned slightly, but

be dedicated to

Another nod, more hesitant.

children of maritime workers, with

frown deepened, not in disagreement but in confusion. He clearly couldn't understand

four generations, will be returned to you, with the provision that the groundskeeper and

mask finally cracked. Something that might have been tears brightened his eyes before he

for the CEO of Kane Industries, but

room fell silent. Everyone sensed the undercurrents flowing beneath the business discussion. Camille felt Alexander's hand find hers beneath the table, a small gesture of

to," she

for a long moment, then nodded once. "I accept

them?"

"Yes. All of them."

then, reviewing details, explaining terms, pointing out places requiring signatures. The formality of it created a welcome buffer, allowing Camille to retreat behind

final page an hour later, his hand trembled slightly. Was it weakness from his injury, Camille wondered,

board will announce the arrangement tomorrow morning," she said, closing the

unexpected victory. Stefan lingered as others filed out, clearly wanting to speak privately, but

how to thank you," Stefan

thank me," Camille replied. "Just honor

nodded, his eyes moving between her and Alexander. "I will. You have my

the air as he left, not the bitterness of their past, but something different.

behind him, Alexander

"It wasn't a performance."

he agreed, surprising her. "It was mercy.

"It was good business. His family knows shipping. We don't. This way, Kane Industries

faintly. "If you say

together back to her office, where Victoria waited, elegant

her thinness, but also the

Victoria asked.

desk. "Yes. Rodriguez Shipping returns

gave nothing away. "And the

Environmental remediation. Educational funding. All the things we

nodded slowly. "Not what I

know," Camille said

in her voice,

Camille's desk. "To new beginnings,"