SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 216

The Kane Industries conference room had been transformed into a war room. Documents covered every surface, laptops displayed multiple screens of data, and a large whiteboard showed a timeline spanning fifteen years. Alexander sat at the table he had once planned to destroy, now opening his most guarded secrets to the people he had tried to hurt.

"This is everything," Alexander said, placing his encrypted phone on the table. "Every message from James, every document he provided, every instruction he gave me."

Hannah connected Alexander's phone to her computer system, her fingers moving across the keyboard with practiced efficiency. "I'll need your passwords for all communication platforms."

"Of course." Alexander recited a series of passwords while Camille watched from across the table. The careful distance between them spoke of trust broken but not completely destroyed.

Stefan studied the printed messages Alexander had provided. "The psychological manipulation is sophisticated. James knew exactly which emotional buttons to push."

Victoria sat at the head of the table, still pale from her recent hospitalization but alert as she reviewed Alexander's evidence. Her reading glasses reflected the light from multiple computer screens as she examined document after document. "These fabricated safety reports," Victoria said, holding up a folder. "They're based on real incidents at Meridian Technologies, but the details have been altered to make me look responsible for covering up violations."

Alexander winced as he watched Victoria read through the lies he had believed for months. "I should have verified everything independently before acting on it."

"James knew you wouldn't," Camille said quietly. "He counted on your grief making you vulnerable to manipulation."

The statement hung between Alexander and Camille like a bridge neither was ready to cross completely. They were talking to each other directly for the first time since their confrontation, but their words carried the weight of everything that had been broken.

Hannah looked up from her computer analysis. "Alexander, James has been monitoring your location through your phone. He knows where you are right now."

"Then he knows I'm working with you instead of against you," Alexander said. "He'll probably try to make contact soon."

Stefan moved his chair closer to Hannah's as she explained her findings, their shoulders touching as they examined the tracking data together. "Look at this pattern," Hannah said, pointing to her screen. "James has been watching all of us for months."

"Not just watching," Stefan corrected, reading over her shoulder. "Planning. These are surveillance schedules for Victoria's hospital visits, Camille's daily routines, even my shipping business activities."

As Stefan leaned closer to study Hannah's analysis, she turned to ask him a question and found their faces inches apart. For a moment, neither moved, the air between them charged with unspoken feelings.

"The tracking data," Hannah said softly, not pulling away, "shows he's been preparing for multiple scenarios."

voice was equally quiet. "Including scenarios where we figured

emotions. Sadness for her own broken marriage, but genuine happiness that Stefan was finding connection with someone

intimacy between Stefan and Hannah entirely. His attention remained fixed on Victoria as she

journal entry from your uncle," Victoria said, holding up a photocopy. "It mentions someone named James providing information about Kane Industries' bidding practices. But the handwriting looks different from Richard's

Less emotional than his other entries. As if someone else wrote it, or as if Richard was copying information

corporate documents. Their analysis required them to sit

show the natural variation of

was dictating what Richard should write, probably convincing him these were his own insights

said, turning to smile at Stefan. "You understand

felt a stab of recognition - this was how Camille used to look at

said slowly. "He provided information that seemed credible,

and rubbed her tired eyes. "Richard Pierce wasn't a bad man. He was under enormous financial pressure, making poor decisions, but he

way he exploited mine," Alexander

directly at Alexander. "James knew your grief would make you want someone to blame. He gave you a target

questioned whether Victoria was really guilty," Alexander replied. "I wanted someone to pay for my uncle's death, and James convinced

moment of uncomfortable silence. Everyone in the room could feel the weight of what his misguided revenge

her computer analysis. "James has been planning this operation for years. The

psychological profiles of

us?" Stefan asked, moving

about your guilt over betraying Camille, Stefan. He knows about my loyalty

Kane

read through more files. "And

leaned forward with interest. "What else do those files

seamless and efficient. "Contingency plans," Stefan said. "Multiple scenarios for destroying Kane Industries and everyone connected

implications sank in. James Whitfield wasn't just seeking financial revenge - he was prepared to kill anyone who stood in his way.

meet tonight. He says my recent behavior has

fear twist in her stomach. "He knows you're working

means he's probably planning to eliminate Alexander as