SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 193

Chapter 193

The morning sun cast sharp shadows across the Kane Industries boardroom as Camille paced behind her chair, her phone pressed against her ear. Alexander watched from the doorway, studying the tension in her shoulders, the way her free hand clenched and unclenched at her side. Three percent. Such a small number to cause such devastation.

"No, that's not acceptable," Camille snapped into the phone. "We need that press release out within the hour, not by end of day."

Victoria sat at the head of the massive conference table, her face pale but composed. Charts and graphs covered the polished surface before her, all showing the same ugly truth, Kane Industries stock had plummeted overnight, wiping out millions in market value.

Alexander stepped into the room, his expression carefully crafted to show concern and support. Inside, satisfaction burned like a flame he couldn't extinguish.

"How bad is it?" he asked, knowing the answer already.

"Bad." Camille ended her call and turned to face him, dark circles under her eyes telling the story of a sleepless night. "Three percent drop in twelve hours. The trading floor is calling it a bloodbath."

Victoria's voice cut through the morning air like ice. "Someone is spreading lies about our acquisition history. Targeting our credibility at the worst possible time."

Alexander moved to Camille's side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Her body was rigid with stress, muscles tight beneath his palm. "What kind of lies?"

"Anonymous sources claiming we used 'questionable tactics' during hostile takeovers fifteen years ago," Camille said, her voice shaking with anger. "Investors are spooked. They're questioning whether the Phoenix Grid expansion is built on the same foundation."

The irony cut through Alexander like a knife. If only she knew how right those anonymous sources were. If only she understood that her husband was the architect of her company's destruction.

"That's ridiculous," Alexander said, his tone perfectly pitched between outrage and support. "Your acquisition record is spotless. Anyone can see that."

Victoria's eyes met his across the table. For a moment, Alexander saw something flicker in her gaze, suspicion, calculation, fear. Did she suspect him? Or was she simply a woman watching her life's work crumble and grasping for explanations? "The timing is too convenient," Victoria said slowly. "Right after the Phoenix Grid announcement. Right when we're most vulnerable to market manipulation."

"You think this is intentional?" Alexander asked, keeping his voice neutral even as his pulse quickened.

"I know it is," Victoria replied, her fingers drumming against the table. "The question is who benefits from our stock dropping."

Camille sank into her chair, running both hands through her hair. "Does it matter? The damage is done. Investors are pulling out, questioning our leadership, demanding answers we can't give."

Alexander sat beside his wife, reaching for her hand. Her fingers were cold,

should have brought him joy, Victoria's empire falling meant justice for his uncle. But watching Camille suffer sent unexpected pain through his

her hand. "Both

your own company's reputation?" Victoria asked,

"Camille is my wife. Her success is my success. Pierce Enterprises has complete

their trust in him, to position himself as their closest ally even as he orchestrated their

to let fall. "Thank you," she

Camille trusted him completely, loved him without reservation, believed in their partnership both personal and professional. And he was betraying that trust

with a tablet clutched in her hands. "The financial networks are picking up the story," she announced, her voice tight with worry. "CNBC is running a segment on

her

his mind already working. "What if we get ahead of this? Call a press conference, address the

say what?" Victoria's voice was bitter. "That anonymous accusations are false? That

don't just deny the rumors, we provide complete transparency. Open your

with something approaching awe. "That's brilliant.

level of scrutiny is dangerous.

Alexander said, his voice carefully neutral. "But since Kane

was elegant in

guilty. But agreeing would expose

to public scrutiny, including the systematic destruction of

the cover-up that had driven his uncle to

call their bluff. Complete financial transparency, independent audits, everything. Let the world see exactly

moment, her fingers still drumming against the table. Alexander could almost see her mind working, weighing risks,

she said finally. "We'll prepare for full disclosure. But this had better work, because if

hand. "It won't backfire. The truth is

The truth was indeed on their side, his

a comprehensive communications strategy," Alexander offered. "Pierce Enterprises' PR department has

squeezing his arm. "I knew marrying you was the smartest thing I

like a blade. He

"We're partners

made calls to influential contacts in the financial media.

every suggestion was designed to dig Kane Industries deeper into the hole he had created. Every resource he provided would ultimately serve his purpose. Every contact he

gradually gave way to determined focus. She threw herself into damage control with the same intensity she brought to everything, and Alexander found himself