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?"

pacing, turning to face him. "She thinks someone

Victoria's suspicions were growing stronger, more focused. How long before her investigation led her

plan to do?" he asked, keeping his voice

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

sympathetically while his mind raced 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 closing around

"The board meeting starts in an hour, and I need to

sounds of hangers sliding across rods as she selected another armor of corporate confidence. When she emerged wearing a sharp navy suit, she looked every inch the powerful CEO. But he could see the fear lurking behind her professional

"Pierce Enterprises has relationships with several financial journalists. Maybe I can

up with gratitude. "Would

the salt of perspiration from her

lie burned his throat as he spoke it. Partners didn't destroy each other's companies. Partners didn't orchestrate campaigns of character assassination against their spouse's family. Partners didn't wake up each morning planning new ways to inflict maximum damage on the person

opened his secure laptop. Three new messages from "Guardian"

contained financial records showing unusual payments to private investigators shortly before Richard Pierce's suicide.

before he destroys us."

Victoria Kane had ordered his uncle's destruction with the casual brutality of a general commanding an execution. These weren't business decisions

typed a response to "Guardian": *Received all files. Preparing next phase of media releases.

for release tomorrow. This will be the killing blow.

Alexander closed the laptop,

would destroy Kane Industries'. reputation completely. The Phoenix Grid expansion would be canceled. Bittions in investor confidence would

the

a successful CEO - all of it would burn in

started.

to his

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

brutal. Lost two major investors. Stock down six

knives. She believed he was supporting her.

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

at midnight," came the familiar voice. "Financial blogs, industry publications, even mainstream news outlets. By tomorrow

the evidence?"