SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 117

The Kane Industries conference center buzzed with tension as stockholders filed into the auditorium. Camille

watched from the wings, studying the anxious faces of investors and board members gathering for t "And the

independent assessment?" Camille asked.

"Just arrived." Hannah handed her a sealed envelope. "The Grid exceeds every safety parameter by significant

margins.”

Camille nodded, scanning the room again. "Is Herod here?"

"Fifth row center, moving toward the front."

She spotted him, confident and poised as he greeted several board members. The stage manager appeared,

signaling they were ready.

Camille straightened Victoria's midnight blue jacket, tailored to fit her perfectly. Wearing it felt like carrying

a piece of Victoria's strength.

"He wants you to lose your temper," Hannah reminded her. "To appear emotional, unstable."

"I know exactly what he wants," Camille replied. "And he won't get it."

She stepped onto the stage, heels clicking against the polished floor as she moved to the podium.

"Good morning," she began, her voice steady. "Thank you for attending this emergency meeting. As interim

CEO during Victoria Kane's recovery, | felt it necessary to address certain rumors regarding the Phoenix Grid

project."

She paused, finding Herod's face in the crowd. "Before we begin, Ms. Kane's doctors

report excellent progress in her recovery from exhaustion. She expects to return to full duties within two weeks."

A murmur ran through the audience. Victoria's collapse had already affected their stock price, dropping it three

percent.

"The Phoenix Grid represents Kane

Industries’ commitment to revolutionizing urban power distribution," Camille continued, displaying performance

metrics. "Power efficiency has exceeded projections by twelve percent. Maintenance costs are trending

seventeen percent below budget. And most importantly, zero safety incidents since inception."

As she presented more data, she noticed Herod rising from his seat.

"Ms. Kane," he called out. "If | might address the gathering?"

The room fell silent, all eyes shifting between them.

"Mr. Preston," she acknowledged, tone neutral. "I wasn't aware you were a Kane Industries shareholder."

Herod smiled, the expression not reaching his eyes. "A recent acquisition. My company now holds five percent of

Kane Industries stock."

Louder murmurs spread

through the audience. Five percent was significant, not enough for control, but enough to demand attention.

"In that case," Camille said smoothly, "you're certainly

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entitled to speak. Please join me."

Herod climbed the steps with unhurried confidence, stopping at a distance that might appear respectful to

observers

but felt intrusive to Camille.

"As a significant shareholder, | feel compelled to express

concerns about the Phoenix Grid that have recently cto my attention," he began, withdrawing a folder. "I've

received technical analyses from several independent engineers who believe the Grid's current c¢ He displayed

diagrams showing theoretical failure points. "These experts

flag three critical issues: relay overheating during peak demand, insufficient circuit breaker redundancy, and

potentially catastrophic

failure scenarios during power surges. Under certain conditions, sections of the Grid

could experience cascading failures leading to explosions and fires."

The audience shifted uncomfortably. A board member scribbled furious notes.

“I bring these concerns forward not as an attack,” Herod continued with false sincerity, "but out of genuine

concern for public safety and shareholder value. If these issues prove valid, the liability alone could bar He

turned to Camille. "Perhaps Ms. Kane could address these technical

concerns? Although, with her background in, what was it before Victoria Kane adopted you? Fashion marketing,

she might want to defer to actual engineers."

Successfully unlocked!

The deliberate slight hung in the air. Camille

fei, anger flash but conta ed, studying the diagrams with calm

consideration.

"Thank you for

your concern, Mr. Preston," she said coolly. "May | ask about the source of these analyses?"

Herod shrugged. "The engineers prefer to remain anonymous, fearing professional repercussions."

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Chapter 117

"lI understand completely," Camille replied. "Dr. Zhao, would you join us please?"

Hannah crossed to the podium. Camille introduced her: "Dr. Hannah Zhao, chief engineer of the Phoenix Grid

project. MIT doctorate in electrical engineering, former lead designer for the European Union's sust Camille

turned back to Herod. "Before addressing your anonymous concerns, I'd like to present sattribution-

friendly

data."

Hannah uploaded

new diagrams. "These are the actual schematics of the Phoenix

Grid as currently implemented, not the theoretical models Mr. Preston presented."

With methodical clarity, Camille walked the audience through each system. "The Grid employs quadruple, not

triple, relay protection

systems. Each junction includes three independent circuit breakers with automatic cut-

off protocols."

She pulled the sealed envelope from her portfolio. "This morning, we received the final report from Blackwood

Engineering, the industry's most respected independent safety assessment firm. Their conclusion: She displayed

the report with Blackwood's certification clearly visible.

"As for power surges, the Grid includes surge protectors at every connection point. We've tested the system

against surges five times stronger than anything recorded in New York's history." She turned to face Herod

directly. "Interestingly, the diagrams Mr. Preston presented appear to be based on outdated blueprints, blueprints

that were altered during a recent attempted sabotage of our systems."

A shocked silence fell over the room.

"Kane Industries discovered this sabotage attempt three weeks ago. The FBI has been investigating quietly to

avoid market panic. We have reason to believe the modified blueprints were created specifically to She paused,

letting her gaze move from Herod to Martin Greene, who had gone pale in his seat. "We've identified the internal

source of the leak and

have terminated their employment as of this morning."

Security personnel moved discreetly toward Martin, who stood abruptly, knocking over his coffee in his haste to

reach the

exit.

Herod maintained his composure, though a muscle twitched in his jaw. "These are serious allegations. | merely

presented concerns brought to my attention as a responsible shareholder."

"Of course," Camille agreed pleasantly. "Which is why I've prepared copies of Dr. Zhao's full technical report for

all shareholders, along with the Blackwood certification and

contact information for their engineers, who are happy to answer questions about their findings."

Assistants distributed folders to the audience.

"To further demonstrate our confidence in the Phoenix Grid, Camille continued, "Kane Industries’ global

headquarters will be the first building to

transition entirely to Grid power next

week, three months ahead of schedule. Victoria Kane and | will personally be working from those offices during

the transition. We believe in the safety of our technology enough to bet our lives on it.”

The audience erupted in applause. Camille saw Herod reassessing as his ambush transformed into a victory for

Kane Industries.

When the applause died down, Camille asked, "Are there any other questions about the Grid's specifications or

safety features?"

Leonard Ackerman, their largest investor, stood. "I think Ms. Kane has addressed the concerns comprehensively.

I'm satisfied with the safety protocols and impressed with the leadership displayed today." "In that case," she

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said, "I suggest we adjourn the

emergency portion of this meeting."

As the meeting transitioned, Herod leaned close

while her microphone was off. "Impressive performance. Victoria trained you well."

"Not well enough," Camille replied quietly. "I still haven't figured out why you're targeting us specifically."

"Perhaps | simply enjoy the game," he suggested.

"No. This is personal for you. Just as it's personal for Rose."

Something flickered in his eyes, surprise that she had made the connection. "You think you've won today," he

said, his voice hardening. "But you've merely delayed the inevitable."

"Have 1?"

Herod smiled thinly. "Kane Industries was built by Victoria. Without her, it's nothing but an empty shell waiting to

collapse."

"Then why do you look so disappointed?" Camille asked.

Before he could respond, she turned away. When she looked back, Herod was already walking down the steps,

phone pressed to his ear.

The rest of the meeting proceeded smoothly. Stock prices began recovering as news spread through financial

networks. By conclusion, Kane Industries shares had regained most of their recent losses.

In Victoria's office afterward, Camille finally allowed herself to exhale. Hannah joined her, bringing coffee.

"You destroyed him out there," Hannah said admiringly. "You remindedof Victoria."

The comparison warmed Camille more than she cared to admit. "Speaking of whom, | should call her with an

update.”

After Hannah left, Camille looked out over the city where sections of the Phoenix Grid now powered thousands of

homes and businesses. Somewhere, Rose and Herod were regrouping.

She replayed Herod's words: *Kane Industries was built by Victoria. Without her, it's nothing but an empty shell

waiting to collapse. *

Not true, she told herself. Yet she wondered, was she truly leading, or merely following Victoria's instructions?

Had she proven herself today, or simply executed someone else's plan?

Her phone rang, Alexander.

"| heard what happened," he

said. “Congratulations. The stock is up seven points since the meeting ended." "Herod miscalculated," Camille

replied. "He thought | wouldn't be able to respond to technical challenges."

"He underestimated you. A mistake | suspect he won't make again."

After they disconnected, Camille remained at the window. Today she had protected Victoria's company, defended

her vision. It should have felt like a triumph.

Instead, she found herself wondering, when would she stop fighting Victoria's battles and start

defining her own? When would Camille

Kane becmore than Victoria Kane's chosen weapon?