SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 225

Alexander walked out of Kane Industries into the cool evening air, feeling

cautiously optimistic for the first time in months. The crisis with the Phoenix Grid had been contained, his relationship with Camille was slowly healing, and they finally had solid evidence against James Whitfield. Tomorrow, they would present everything to the FBI and end this nightmare once and for all.

The parking garage beneath the building was nearly empty at this hour, with only a few cars belonging to security staff and late-working employees. Alexander's footsteps echoed off the concrete walls as he walked toward his car, keys already in his hand. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows between the parked vehicles, creating pockets of darkness that seemed deeper than usual.

Alexander was thinking about dinner plans with Camille when he heard the soft sound of footsteps behind him. He turned, expecting to see another employee heading home, but found himself face to face with James Whitfield.

James stood about twenty feet away, no longer hiding behind electronic voice distortion or carefully maintained distance. His expensive suit was wrinkled, his hair disheveled, and his eyes burned with the intensity of someone who had nothing left to lose.

"Hello, Alexander," James said, his natural voice carrying a coldness that made Alexander's blood freeze. "We need to discuss your recent betrayal."

Alexander's hand moved instinctively toward his phone, but James shook his head slowly.

"I wouldn't do that. Not when we have so much to talk about regarding your uncle's memory and your obligations to justice."

"My obligations?" Alexander felt anger flare in his chest, pushing aside his initial fear. "My obligations are to the truth, not to the lies you've been feeding me for months."

James stepped closer, and Alexander could see the rage simmering beneath his controlled exterior. "I gave you everything you needed to destroy Victoria Kane. I provided evidence of her crimes, motivation for your revenge, opportunities to strike at her through her precious daughter. And how do you repay my guidance?"

"I repay it by refusing to be your weapon anymore," Alexander said firmly. "I know who you really are, James Smith. I know your father was a criminal who deserved to be stopped. I know you murdered my uncle when he wanted to confess your manipulation."

James's mask of calm composure cracked slightly at the mention of his real name. "Your uncle was weak. He lost his nerve when he should have stayed focused on making Victoria Kane pay for her crimes."

"Victoria Kane didn't commit any crimes. She reported your father's illegal activities to protect innocent people." Alexander took a step back, creating more distance between them. "You've spent fifteen years seeking revenge against people who did the right thing."

"The right thing?" James laughed, but the sound carried no humor. "The right thing would have been letting my father's business succeed instead of destroying it with false accusations and manufactured evidence."

"The evidence wasn't manufactured. Your father really did use substandard materials. Workers really were injured on his construction sites. Families really were cheated by his fraudulent contracts." Alexander's voice grew stronger with each word. "James, your father was exactly the kind of person who needed to be stopped."

James pulled something from his jacket pocket - a small black device that Alexander didn't recognize. "You sound just like the prosecutors who sent an innocent man to die in prison. All moral certainty and legal technicalities."

"I sound like someone who's learned the difference between justice and revenge," Alexander replied. "James, it's over. We have evidence of your real identity, proof that you manipulated me and killed my uncle. The FBI will be looking for you by tomorrow morning."

"The FBI?" James's smile turned predatory. "Alexander, do you really think I've spent fifteen years planning this campaign without preparing for law enforcement involvement?"

respond, James pressed a button on the device in his hand. Alexander heard a soft hissing sound and suddenly felt dizzy. The air around him seemed to shimmer, and he realized with growing horror that

did you do?" Alexander demanded, his voice already starting to

revenge, or face the consequences of betraying someone who trusted you

to blur, but he forced himself to stay focused. Whatever James had released wasn't immediately lethal - more like a sedative designed to incapacitate rather than kill. Which meant James had something worse planned than a quick death

to keep his balance as the world tilted around him. "Camille

harm Victoria Kane and her daughter," James replied. "By

fell, his hand managed to activate the emergency alert on his phone

to Alexander's unconscious form and grabbed the phone, but

looking down at Alexander's

to take Alexander to a secondary location for interrogation and eventual disposal. But the emergency alert changed everything. Security would be here within minutes, and James couldn't afford to be caught with an unconscious

destroy evidence while making Alexander's death look like an accident. He was placing it near Alexander's car when the

multiple vehicles converging on the building, along with what

burning in his eyes. "This isn't over. Your betrayal will be answered, even if I have to wait

into the chemical fog just as the first security guards burst into the parking garage.

one of the guards shouted, finding Alexander's

garage, followed quickly by NYPD officers responding to the emergency alert. As

the bomb squad, but forensic analysis would

destroy most of

the parking garage was crawling with FBI agents, NYPD detectives, and forensic specialists. Alexander was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital, where doctors determined he had been exposed to

evidence that clearly pointed to an attempted murder by someone with access

escalated to direct violence," she told her team.

warrant immediately. Armed and

terrorist threat to critical

Alexander's attack.

and description. Airport

law enforcement agency in the region was mobilized to find a man who had just

he slowly regained consciousness. The sedative had

but alive.

Alexander's voice was hoarse from the

taking his hand. "You're safe. James is gone, but the FBI is looking for

hand weakly. "He wanted to take me somewhere. To make me pay

thinking quickly under pressure," Camille said, tears streaming down her face. "Alexander, I thought I was going to lose you." "You're not going to lose me," Alexander replied, his voice growing stronger. "James made

face pale with worry and rage. The attack on Alexander confirmed her worst fears about James's willingness to escalate to

is he?"