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.

they sat 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

arrived, "tell me about Pierce

people had casually moved billions of dollars to save Kane Industries. They socialized with the most powerful families in America. They could

panel efficiency improvements alone could revolutionize the

replied. "Though it's been challenging to scale

might be able to help with that," Richard said casually.

could be interested

Alexander's arm. "Richard, let the man eat his dinner

always networking.

as charged," Richard admitted with a grin. "But that's how we were able to help Kane Industries so quickly. When you've spent decades building relationships, you can mobilize resources

casual way he talked about mobilizing billions made Alexander's chest tighten. These people lived in a world where money was just a tool, where

can't thank you enough for what you did," Camille said, reaching across the table to squeeze her father's hand. "If you hadn't

daughter. Of course we were going

between Camille and her parents. They had hurt her deeply in

Kane Industries was quite sophisticated," Richard observed, cutting into his steak. "Someone put

fork froze halfway to his mouth. "Sophisticated

left Alexander's face. "It wasn't random market volatility. Someone

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

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

that protection, treating him as one of their own. Even as he planned to

vern

glowing as she described the villa and

herself from the

darling," she told Camille. "A little gift to celebrate

velvet jewelry box that looked antique and valuable. "This has been in our family for four generations. I've been waiting for the right moment to pass it on

and sapphires formed an intricate pattern around what had to be a twenty-carat center stone, the whole piece

this," Camille whispered. "It

million dollars," Margaret said 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 her wedding." "And now it's yours," Richard added, his voice gentle. "You've proven yourself worthy of the Lewis name,

the chandelier light, sending rainbow sparkles across her skin. She looked like royalty, like she belonged

by wealth and love and acceptance. The necklace alone was worth more than most people made in a lifetime. It represented power, status, a place in

say, his voice rough with emotions

name.

Margaret said, stepping

to a mirror hanging on the dining room

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

neck like it was nothing. These people could give away fortunes as casual

he supposed to fight against that kind of power? How could one man seeking justice compete with centuries