SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 194

Chapter 194

Alexander stood at the window of his office, watching the morning traffic crawl through Manhattan streets. His phone buzzed constantly on the desk behind him, but he ignored it. Three days had passed since Kane Industries' stock plummeted, and his carefully laid plans were supposed to be bearing fruit by now.

Instead, the numbers on his computer screen told a different story. Kane Industries stock had not only stopped falling, it was climbing back up.

The door to his office opened without a knock. Camille entered, her face glowing with relief and excitement. She practically bounced across the room to reach him, throwing her arms around his neck before he could react.

"We did it, Alex," she breathed against his ear. "We actually did it."

Alexander forced his arms to circle her waist, forced his voice to sound pleased. "Did what?"

"The stock recovered. More than recovered, we're up two points from where we started." Camille pulled back to look at his face, her eyes bright with joy. "Mom and Dad stepped in. Can you believe it?"

Something cold settled in Alexander's stomach. "Your parents?"

"Dad called this morning. He'd been watching the news, saw what was happening to us." Camille's words tumbled over each other in her excitement. "He made some calls to his old friends at Goldman Sachs, arranged emergency funding to stabilize the stock. Then Mom contacted everyone she knows, board members at major corporations, influential investors, people who've known our family for generations."

Alexander's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "That was... generous of them."

"Generous?" Camille laughed, the sound bright as breaking glass. "It was incredible. Within hours, we had billionaire investors publicly backing Kane Industries. The Rothschild family trust bought five million in shares. The Vanderbilt Foundation committed to long-term investment. Dad even got Warren Buffett's people to release a statement of confidence."

The rage building in Alexander's chest felt like a physical thing, hot and expanding, threatening to burst through his carefully maintained mask. Months of planning. Weeks of careful stock manipulation targeting a billion-dollar empire. All undone by Margaret and Richard Lewis and their elite social circle.

"I'm so happy for you," he managed, his voice strained with the effort of appearing supportive.

Camille studied his face, concern replacing her earlier joy. "You don't look happy. Are you feeling okay?"

Alexander cleared his throat, forced his expression to soften. "Just tired. It's been a stressful few days watching Kane Industries under attack."

"I know." Camille reached up to touch his cheek, her fingers warm against his skin. "But it's over now. Kane Industries is stronger than ever. Victoria said we've never had this level of institutional backing before. Billion-dollar companies dream of the kind of investor confidence we have now."

"How exactly did your parents mobilize so quickly?" Alexander asked, keeping his tone casual despite the fury burning in his veins.

Fortune 500 boards. Mom chairs the charity committees for half

scrolled through the numbers, each figure more devastating to Alexander's plans than the last. "Look at this.... two billion in new investment commitments. The markets

a dagger in his heart. Everything he had worked for, destroyed by two people he had never considered a threat. Camille's parents, who had reconciled with their daughter and now wielded their vast influence on her

have dinner with us tonight. To celebrate, but also to discuss some exciting opportunities. Dad thinks Kane Industries should consider expanding into European markets, and he

closing in around Alexander. He loosened his tie, struggling to

happiness. "Having my parents back in my life, working together like this-it

The word echoed in Alexander's mind, mocking him. While Camille was building bridges with her parents, his uncle remained dead and unavenged. While the Lewis family celebrated their triumph over financial adversity, Richard Pierce's killer walked free, now stronger

himself say. "Whatever

lit up the entire city. She kissed him quickly before heading toward the door. "Seven o'clock at Le Bernardin. Dad's flying to Washington tomorrow morning-some congressional committee wants his input on

for several minutes. The silence felt oppressive, broken only

one Camille

powerful. Kane Industries now has unprecedented institutional backing. Need

this might happen. Old money protects its own. Moving to phase two ahead

far closer to the fire. But what choice did he have? Kane Industries was now backed by some of the most powerful families in

typed back. *What do

documents that prove Victoria's cover-up of the factory

no more innocent research requests.

through all this craziness. Mom

praised his support, he was planning to rob her billion-dollar company of its deepest secrets. While she called him the best husband, he was orchestrating her professional

can get access Friday night. Security shift change at

the stock

get us inside. Remember.... this is for Richard. This is for the three workers who died in that factory. Victoria Kane thinks her billion- dollar

his uncle, or had it become something darker? Something driven by pride

Kane entered without invitation. Her face was composed, but Alexander could see the tension in her

talk," she said, closing the

his voice remained

on the incredible

his desk, her pale blue eyes fixed on his

their daughter's interests. Any

voice was soft, thoughtful. "Though the speed and scale of their response was impressive. Moving billions

the air between them like smoke. Alexander met her gaze directly, allowing confusion to show on his face. "Are you suggesting something suspicious about their