SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 197

Camille's hands shook as she scrolled through her tablet, reading the headlines that had appeared overnight like a nightmare made real. The morning coffee in her cup had gone cold an hour ago, forgotten as crisis after crisis demanded her attention.

"SAFETY CONCERNS PLAGUE KANE INDUSTRIES' PHOENIX GRID PROJECT"

"ANONYMOUS SOURCES REVEAL CORNER-CUTTING IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE"

"IS KANE INDUSTRIES HIDING DANGEROUS FLAWS IN THEIR EXPANSION PLANS?"

Each headline was a dagger to the heart, each article more damaging than the last. Someone was feeding the financial press a steady stream of poison, and Kane Industries was dying from a thousand cuts.

Alexander entered their bedroom carrying fresh coffee, his face carefully arranged in an expression of concern and support. "Any updates from the crisis management team?"

Camille looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. She hadn't slept in thirty-six hours, and exhaustion was written across every line of her face. "It's getting worse. Three more articles went live in the past hour."

She handed him the tablet, watching as he read the latest attack. The Financial Times had published a piece titled "Kane Industries: Built on Questionable Foundations?" that cited unnamed internal sources claiming safety protocols had been ignored during Phoenix Grid construction.

"Anonymous sources," Alexander said, shaking his head with what appeared to be disgust. "Cowards hiding behind reporters while they destroy your reputation."

"The stock opened down another four points," Camille said, her voice barely above a whisper. "At this rate, we'll lose twenty percent of our value by the end of the week."

Alexander sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for her hand. Her fingers were ice cold, trembling with stress and caffeine and fear. "We'll get through this. Kane Industries is stronger than these attacks."

"Is it?" Camille's voice cracked. "Alex, what if they're right? What if there really are safety issues we missed?"

The doubt in her voice was like acid eating away at Alexander's chest. He had started this campaign to destroy Victoria Kane, but watching it tear apart the woman he loved was agony beyond anything he had imagined.

"You know better than that," he said softly. "You've personally overseen every aspect of the Phoenix Grid. Your safety standards exceed federal requirements."

"Then why won't these stories stop?" Camille pulled her hand away, standing abruptly to pace across their bedroom. "Someone is feeding reporters information about our internal processes. Details that only employees would know."

Alexander's pulse quickened. "Have you considered the possibility of corporate espionage? Competitors trying to steal market share?"

face him.

hit Alexander like physical blows. Victoria's suspicions were growing stronger, more focused. How long before her

does Victoria plan to do?" he asked,

security. Review all employee access logs. Investigate anyone who might have motive to damage the company." Camille's eyes were haunted. "She's turning

through the implications. Victoria's investigation would eventually uncover his digital footprints, his connections to "Guardian," his late-night visits to Kane Industries buildings. The net was

office," Camille said, moving toward their walk-in closet. "The board meeting

When she emerged wearing a sharp navy suit, she looked

Alexander offered. "Pierce Enterprises has relationships with several financial journalists. Maybe I can provide counter-narratives to

face lit up with gratitude. "Would you? That would

forehead, tasting the salt of perspiration from her restless night. "Anything for you. We're

assassination against their spouse's family. Partners didn't wake up each morning planning new ways to inflict maximum damage

new messages from "Guardian" waited in his encrypted folder, each

of internal Kane Industries meetings from fifteen years ago, discussing strategies for "neutralizing competitive threats" in the clean energy sector. The second contained financial records showing unusual payments to private investigators shortly before Richard Pierce's suicide. The third was the most damaging - a recording of Victoria's voice from a board meeting, describing the need to "destroy Richard Pierce's

before he destroys us."

suddenly feeling immediate and raw again. Victoria Kane had ordered his uncle's destruction with the casual brutality of a general commanding an execution. These weren't business decisions - they were acts of

next phase of media releases. How soon can we move

for release tomorrow. This will be the killing blow.

Alexander closed the laptop,

Phoenix Grid expansion would be canceled. Bittions in investor confidence would evaporate. Victoria Kane's

would be destroyed in the process. Her life's

as a successful CEO - all of it would burn in the fire Alexander

started.

to his

to save her company. She was fielding angry calls from investors, crafting press releases to counter negative coverage, holding emergency meetings

two major investors. Stock down six

trust and gratitude cutting through him like knives. She believed he was supporting her. She had no idea he

together.* Another lie to add to the pile. Another betrayal disguised as love. Alexander's secure phone rang. "Guardian" calling on

next batch of stories goes live at midnight," came the familiar voice. "Financial blogs, industry publications, even mainstream

evidence?" Alexander