SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

I replied, extending my hand. "I believe we met briefly at the Barrett negotiations last year."

His expression flickered with confusion, then embarrassment as he failed to recall our

previous encounter. "Did we? | apologize for not remembering."

"No apology necessary," | assured him, satisfaction warming my chest. "I was observing rather than participating

at that point in my training."

Training. As if I'd been Victoria's protégée all along, not a broken woman she'd rescued and transformed for

mutual benefit.

"Of course." Hargrove recovered quickly, ego soothed by my gracious handling of his lapse. "I'd love to hear your

thoughts on technology acquisition strategy

when you have a moment. My firm is considering several targets in the ssector."

"I'd be happy to share sgeneral perspectives," | replied, maintaining the careful balance between

professional courtesy and strategic advantage. "Perhaps at the Kane Industries conference next month? | believe

Meridian will be represented."

The conversation continued in this vein, him fishing for insights,providing just enough to seem helpful while

revealing nothing of value. A dance I'd rehearsed countless times with Victoria, now executed flaw When

Hargrove eventually excused himself, | resumed my circuit of the room, pausing occasionally to exchange

pleasantries with guests Victoria had identified as potentially valuable connections. Always movi top table. "You

have her watchfulness."

| recognized her from my preparation materials, Margaret Whitmore, society doyenne and longtacquaintance

of Victoria's. Not quite a friend, Victoria didn't have friends, but a respected equal in New York's "High praise,

Mrs. Whitmore," | replied. "Though I've much to learn still."

“Hmm.” She studiedover her martini glass, "You move differently than most new money. More... contained.

Like someone used to taking up less space who's now allowing herself room to expand." The observation was

uncomfortably perceptive. | maintained my pleasant expression, neither confirming nor denying her assessment,

"Victoria never does anything without multiple reasons," she continued. "I've known her thirty five years, since

before

she was Victoria Kane. Back when she was just Victoria Reynolds from nowhere Pennsylvania, determined to

conquer New York through sheer force of will."

Chapter 31

This was new information. Victoria rarely discussed her background before her marriage to William Kane.

"She identified you for a purpose," Mrs. Whitmore said, eyes sharp despite her age.

"I wonder what it might be." Before | could formulate a response that would neither reveal nor deny too much, a

commotion near the entrance drew attention. Even the orchestra seemed to falter momentarily as the crowd.

"Ah," Mrs. Whitmore smiled slightly. "Alexander has decided to grace us with his presence after all."

| followed her gaze to the man now being greeted with particular deference by the event staff. Tall, dark-

haired, impeccably dressed in a tuxedo that somehow looked more deliberate than those around him. His face

wasn't conventionally handsome, too intense, features too strong, but compelling in its intelligence and focus.

Despite his youth, he couldn't be more than twenty-

eight or twenty-

nine, he carried himself with the unmistakable authority of enormous power.

"Alexander Pierce," Mrs. Whitmore explained, noting my attention. "Surely Victoria has mentioned him." The

nsent a jolt through me. Alexander Pierce, the young trillionaire whose technological innovations "She's

mentioned him," | said carefully, watching as he moved through the crowd with a peculiar economy of motion.

Unlike the other guests who performed for each other, laughing too loudly, constantly seeking uring too broadly,

"They avoid each other generally," Mrs. Whitmore continued, clearly enjoying being the source of information |

hadn't anticipated. "Fierce competitors, those two. Though | always wondered if there wasn't more | kept my

expression neutral despite my racing thoughts. Victoria had never suggested Pierce might attend tonight. Had

never included him in our preparation discussions. An oversight unlike her usual thorough "Of course, dear. Do

cfindagain later. | have the most interesting gossip about that fashion designer everyone's talking

about, Rose something-

or-

other. Just becengaged her dead sister's husband Stefan the Rodriguez shipping heir."

My pulse jumped at the mention of Rose and Stefan, but | merely smiled politely before moving away. Now

wasn't the tto pursue that particular thread, not with Alexander Pierce's unexpected presence dem

assessment.

| circulated carefully through the ballroom, maintaining distance from Pierce while keeping him in my peripheral

vision. He spoke little, listened intently, moved with purpose rather than social obligation. Several Victoria had

also noticed his arrival. | caught her watching him with an expression | couldn't quite interpret, not quite

hostility, not quite concern. Something more complex. When our eyes met across the room, s despite it.

An hour later, as | conversed with the CFO of a major technology corporation about blockchain applications,

Victoria appeared at my side.

"Thomas, | need to borrow my daughter," she said smoothly. "Read

Chapter 31

+25 BON

The CFO retreated with appropriate deference, and Victoria guidedtoward a quieter corner of the ballroom.

"Pierce," she said without preamble, "I didn't anticipate his attendance. He rarely comes to social events,

especially ones hosted by competitors."

"Should | be concerned?" | asked, keeping my voice low.

Victoria's eyes tracked Pierce across the room. "Uncertain. He's brilliant but unpredictable. His companies have

been aggressively moving into spaces adjacent to Kane Industries for the past three years."

"You never toldmuch about him," | observed.

"There's not much to tell beyond what appears in business publications," Victoria replied. "He emerged from

nowhere seven years ago with a revolutionary Al algorithm built an empire with remarkable speed, ar worth

more than myworth."

1 processed this information quickly. "How much does he know about me? About my background?"

"Nothing," Victoria said firmly. "He's been primarily in Asia for the past year, expanding his tech empire there.

Has had

minimal contact with my circles."

Yet something in her tone suggested she wasn't entirely confident of this assessment.

"Should | avoid him?" | asked.

1

Victoria considered for a moment, then shook her head. "N. That would appear unusual, given your position. If he

approaches, be cordial but brief. You've been well- trained for unexpected situations."

With that advice, she departed to manage a minor crisis involving a drunk board member and an overly

inquisitive journalist.

| resumed my social circuit, hyperaware

now of Pierce's location in the room. For another hour, we conducted a strange dance of proximity without

interaction, occupying the sgeneral spaces but never quite converging, like planets in separate bu Until

suddenly, inevitably, the orbits aligned.

"Ms. Kane," a smooth voice said behindas | refreshed my champagne at the bar. "I believe we're the only

two people in this room who haven't been formally introduced)

| turned to find Alexander Pierce standing closer than I'd expected, his height requiringto tilt my head

slightly to meet his

gaze. This close, | could see his eyes were an unusual gray, not the flat color of storm clouds but something

more complex, with hints of blue or green depending on the light. Eyes that studiedwith unsettling intensity.

"Mr. Pierce." | extended my hand, the gesture both defensive and welcoming, "I was beginning to think you were

avoiding me."

A small smile touched his mouth, not quite reaching those watchful eyes. "I was observing. A habit Victoria likely

taught you as well."

He took my offered hand, but instead of shaking it as expected, he brought it to his lips in an old-

fashioned resture that somehow didn't seem affected coming from hi

As his mouth brushed my knuckles, le locked eyes with mine and murmured words that turned my blood to ice:

Welcback to the land of the living, Ms. Kane, Or should use your previous name?"