SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 195

Chapter 195

The Lewis mansion rose before them like a palace from another century, its stone walls glowing golden under the evening lights. Alexander gripped the steering wheel tighter as they approached the circular drive, knowing that behind those walls lay wealth and power beyond most people's imagination.

Camille touched up her lipstick in the passenger mirror, her face bright with happiness. "I can't remember the last time I felt this excited about seeing Mom and Dad," she said, closing the compact with a satisfied snap.

Alexander forced a smile. "It's wonderful that you've rebuilt your relationship with them."

"It really is." Camille turned to study his profile. "Are you nervous? You seem tense."

Tense didn't begin to cover what Alexander felt. Here he was, about to dine with the very people who had destroyed his plans for revenge. The couple whose wealth and connections had saved Kane Industries from his carefully orchestrated attack.

"Just want to make a good impression," he lied smoothly.

The front door opened before they could knock. Margaret Lewis stood there in an elegant navy dress, her silver hair perfectly styled, diamonds sparkling at her throat and ears. She looked every inch the society matriarch, but her face transformed when she saw Camille.

"Darling!" Margaret embraced her daughter warmly, holding her close for several heartbeats. "You look absolutely radiant."

"Thanks, Mom." Camille's voice was soft with emotion. "You look beautiful too."

Margaret turned to Alexander, her smile genuine but measuring. "Alexander. Thank you for coming. I know this week has been difficult for everyone."

"Mrs. Lewis." Alexander took her offered hand, noting the firm handshake, the direct gaze that seemed to see straight through him. "Thank you for having us. And for everything you did for Kane Industries."

"Please, call me Mom. We're family now." She stepped aside to let them enter. "Richard is in the library. He's been looking forward to this all day."

The interior of the mansion spoke of money so old it had forgotten its origins. Persian rugs covered polished floors, oil paintings in heavy frames lined the walls, and crystal chandeliers cast warm light over furniture that belonged in museums. Alexander had grown up wealthy, but this was wealth on a different scale entirely.

Richard Lewis appeared in the doorway of what must be the library, and Alexander immediately saw where Camille got her strong jawline and determined eyes. He was tall, silver-haired, wearing a perfectly tailored suit that probably cost more than most people's cars.

"There's my girl," Richard said, opening his arms.

Camille practically ran to him, wrapping her arms around his waist like she was twelve years old again. "Hi, Dad."

"Hello, sweetheart." Richard's voice was thick with emotion as he held his daughter. Over her head, his eyes met Alexander's. "And you must be the man who stole my daughter's heart."

Alexander stepped forward, extending his hand. "Mr. Lewis. It's an honor to finally spend time with you properly."

Richard's handshake was firm, his gaze direct and calculating. This was a man who had built fortunes and destroyed competitors, who moved in circles where billion-dollar decisions were made over dinner. "Call me Dad. Margaret's right - we're family now."

They moved into a dining room that could have hosted a state dinner. The table was set with china so fine it seemed to glow, crystal glasses that caught the light from another massive chandelier, and silver that had probably been in the family for generations.

down, Alexander found himself directly across from Richard, with Camille to his right and Margaret to his left. The arrangement felt intentional, designed to put him at the

"tell me about Pierce Enterprises. I've been following your clean

These people had casually moved billions of dollars to save Kane Industries. They

panel efficiency improvements alone could

it's been challenging to

help with that," Richard said casually.

who could be interested

let the man eat his dinner before you start

"Dad's always networking. Even at

grin. "But that's how we were able to help Kane Industries so quickly. When you've spent decades building

in a world where money was just a tool, where

did," Camille said, reaching across the table to squeeze her father's hand. "If you hadn't stepped in

our daughter. Of course

the exchange, seeing the genuine love between Camille and her parents. They had hurt her deeply in the past,

Richard observed, cutting into his steak. "Someone

froze halfway to

timing, the coordination, the specific rumors that were spread." Richard's eyes never left Alexander's face. "It wasn't random market volatility. Someone with inside knowledge orchestrated the whole

think they'll try again?" Camille asked, worry creeping into her

said. "But it will be much harder now. The institutional support we arranged sends a clear message - Kane Industries has powerful friends. Anyone thinking about another attack will have to consider the consequences." The threat was politely worded but unmistakable. Alexander felt sweat form between his shoulder blades despite the mansion's perfect climate control. "Well, whoever it was picked the wrong target," Margaret

to the stomach. They were including him in that protection, treating him as one

vern

she described the villa and the food and the perfect weather. Alexander smiled and nodded at the right moments, playing the part of

excused herself

she told Camille. "A little gift to celebrate

that looked antique and valuable. "This has been in our family for four

as her mother opened the box. Inside lay a necklace that took Alexander's breath away. Diamonds and sapphires formed an intricate pattern around what had to be a twenty-carat center

I can't accept this," Camille whispered. "It must be

simply. "Give or take. Your great-great- grandmother wore it to meet the Queen of England. Your great-grandmother wore it to the opera with the Astors. Your grandmother wore it to

as Margaret fastened the necklace around her neck. The diamonds caught the chandelier light, sending rainbow sparkles across her skin. She looked like

wife, seeing her transformed by wealth and love and acceptance. The necklace alone was worth more than most people made in a lifetime. It represented power,

managed to say, his voice

name.

darling," Margaret said, stepping back to

mirror

mine." "Believe it," Richard said. "You're a

the mirror, wearing ten million dollars around her neck like it was nothing. These people could give away fortunes as casual gifts. They had saved Kane Industries with a few phone calls. They moved in circles where his uncle's 'death would be dismissed as a

power? How could one man