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,

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

this," he said, squeezing her hand. "Both of us. Pierce Enterprises stands behind

company's reputation?" Victoria asked, her voice

Her success is

to deepen their trust in him, to position

"Thank you," she whispered. "I don't

without reservation, believed in their

knocked on the boardroom door, entering 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 'Kane

her face in

already working. "What if we get

say what?" Victoria's voice was bitter. "That

Alexander continued, his tone growing more confident. "We don't just deny the rumors, we provide complete transparency. Open your books. Invite independent auditors to review every acquisition from the past twenty years. Show the world that Kane

"That's brilliant. Complete

remained skeptical. "Opening our books to that level of scrutiny is dangerous. Even legitimate business decisions

something to hide," Alexander said, his voice carefully neutral. "But since

trap was elegant in

without appearing guilty. But agreeing

scrutiny, including the

cover-up that had driven

"We call their bluff. Complete financial transparency, independent audits, everything. Let

her fingers still drumming against the table. Alexander could almost see her

disclosure. But this had

the table and grasped Victoria's hand. "It won't backfire. The

on their side, his side. And when that truth finally

communications strategy," Alexander offered. "Pierce Enterprises' PR

"I knew

gut like a blade. He forced a

forehead. "We're partners in

Alexander offered suggestions, provided resources, made calls to influential contacts in the financial media. To everyone watching, he was the

the hole he had created. Every resource he provided would ultimately serve his purpose. Every

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