SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Camille's point of view

The

morning sun cast long shadows across my desk as | reviewed the latest reports on Rodriguez Shipping's supply

chain. Five of their key suppliers had abruptly terminated contracts in the past twenty- four hours. Two more

were scheduled to announce their withdrawal by noon Each one citing "business concerns" or "strategic

realignment” corporate speak for abandoning a sinking ship.

What none of them mentioned was the quiet pressure from Kane Industries. The subtle threats about future

business relationships. The anonymous tips about Rodriguez financial instability. The carefully orches "Ms. Kane."

My assistant Rebecca knocked before entering, tablet in hand. "Marunouchi Trading just announced their

withdrawal. Their statement hit the financial press five minutes ago."

| nodded, satisfaction warming my blood. Marunouchi was Stefan's largest Asian supplier, accounting for nearly

thirty percent of his Pacific shipping materials.

"How did the market react?"

Rodriguez stock dropped another eight points in pre-

market trading" Rebecca couldn't hide her admiration. "At this rate, they'll be below their IPO price by next

week."

"And Stefan?"

"Scheduled an emergency board

meeting for tomorrow morning. His father is flying back from Europe tonight." Rebecca's efficiency reflected the

months of training Victoria had invested in all staff who worked directly with me.

Good. Let him feel the walls closing in. Let him experience the helpless

panic I'd felt when my own life crumbled beneath me.

Victoria entered as Rebecca was leaving, impeccable as always in a tailored

navy suit that conveyed power without effort. Her eyes took in the market data on my screens with evident

satisfaction.

"I see Marunouchi made their announcement," she said, moving to stand beside my desk. "Your strategy is

working even better than projected."

She studied me, head tilted slightly. "You've done exceptional work targeting his supply chain. Where did you.

obtain such detailed knowledge of their dependencies?"

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| kept my expression neutral. “Research Planning, Careful analysis."

Not entirely a lie. But not the whole truth either. | didn't mention the nights I'd spent listening to Stefan talk

about his company's operations. The dinners where he'd explained supply chain dynamics to me, thinki "Well,

your analysis was flawless." Victoria

nodded with genuine approval, rare from a woman who seldom offered praise.

Rebecca knocked again, appearing in the doorway. "Ms. Kane, just a reminder that the second batch of Rose's

photos is scheduled to release at noon. Entertainment sites first, then fashion blogs, then mainstre My finger

hovered over my keyboard, the final command queued and ready. These photos would hurt Rose far more than

the first batch. Not just affairs and indiscretions, but evidence of her twith Anton Bes during negotiations

later flagged by international authorities,

One keystroke would send her professional reputation from damaged to destroyed.

| pressed enter.

"It's done," | said, a strange mix of emotions washing through me. Victory, yes. But also something darker.

Something that felt uncomfortably like becoming what | hated most about my sister.

Victoria observedwith that penetrating, gaze that always seemed to see beneath my carefully maintained

facade. "You hesitated before pressing enter. Having doubts?"

"No," | replied, perhaps too quickly. "Just savoring the moment."

She studiedfor another beat before accepting my answer with a slight nod. "I'll be in strategic planning urttil

La slight ned two. Have Rebecca updateon the public reaction as it develops."

Rebecca appeared in the doorway again, as if summoned by her name. "I'll have the media team monitor

reaction and amplify key narratives, Ms. Kane."

After she left, | pulled up the live feed from the security camera outside Rose's boutique. We'd installed it weeks

ago, ensuring | could witness her world unraveling in real time.

It took exactly twenty-

seven minutes for the news to reach her. | watched her assistant rush out to the waiting car, phone extended

urgently. Saw Rose's perfect posture crumple slightly as she read the headlines. Watched color drai

For a brief, wonderful moment, pure panic overtook her features. Then, like the performer she'd always been,

she recovered. Forced a smile. Waved off questions with practiced grace.

But I'd seen it. That flash of genuine fear. That instant recognition that her

carefully constructed life was truly falling apart.

It should have felt sweeter.

My phone buzzed with a text from Alexander: "The queen takes another piece from the board. Impressive moves,

little phoenix.*

How did he always know? Every strike against Rose and Stefan, every carefully orchestrated attack, somehow

Alexander Pierce tracked them all, commenting with his odd mix of admiration and concern.

| pushed away the question, focusing instead on the financial terminals tracking Rodriguez Shipping's continued

decline. The stock had opened another six percent down. News alerts showed shipping custMy phone

buzzed with a text from our source inside

Rodriguez Shipping: *Complete chaos here. Stefan locked in emergency meetings all day. Board members

threatening resignation. His father shouting about family legacy destroyed."

1 smiled at the update. Let him feel the walls closing in. Let him experience the helpless panic I'd felt when my

own life crumbled beneath me.

On my screens, financial news channels were now covering Rodriguez Shipping's crisis as breaking news. Market

analysts questioning the company's survival. Industry experts speculating about who might acc "Should we

prepare a statement about Kane Inchistries' interest in certain Rodriguez assets?" Victoria asked, watching the

coverage with satisfaction. "The

market would respond well to hints we might acquire their Pacific routes."

"Not yet," | replied, strategic even in my

revenge. "Let the Value drop further before showing our hand."

On my screen, financial news channels were now covering Rodriguez Shipping's crisis

as breaking news. Market analysts questioning the company's survival. Industry experts speculating about who

might acquire their routes once bankruptcy becinevitable.

Rebecca returned, excitement barely contained beneath her professional demeanor.

"Ms. Kane, the Rose photos are performing beyond expectations. Three major fashion houses have publicly

severed ties with her brand. Her main manufacturing partner just announced they're 'reevaluating the

"And the Russian connection?"

"Already picked up by mainstream news." Rebecca couldn't hide her admiration for our strategy. "They're asking

if she helped launder money through her early designs. If her current business was built on crimi Victoria entered

as Rebecca was delivering her report, satisfaction evident in her rare smile. She nodded approvingly at the

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metrics displayed on my screens.

| nodded, moving to

the window overlooking Manhattan Somewhere out there, Rose was watching her career implode. Stefan was

fighting to save his family legacy. Both experiencing the shelpless panic they'd once inflicted Justice, |

reminded myself. Not revenge. Justice for years of manipulation and betrayal.

So why did victory taste increasingly bitter?

"Stefan calleddirectly," | said, still watching the city below. "Begging for a meeting

Victoria's reflection in the window showed her sharp interest. "And you said?"

"Next Tuesday. Fifteen minutes."

"Excellent." She moved beside me. "The perfect opportunity to witness his desperation firsthand. To watch him

beg without understanding who truly holds his fate."

The thought should have thrilled me. Once, it would have. Now I felt only a strange hollowness.

"What happens when it's over?" | asked quietly. "When they're both destroyed completely?"

Victoria studiedcarefully. "We move forward. You take your rightful place as my heir. We build something

greater than either of us could alone."

But that wasn't what I'd asked. Not really. The question | couldn't quite

voice was simpler: Who would | be when revenge no longer defined me?

My phone buzzed with another message from Alexander: When the gends and all pieces are captured, what

then for the queen? Perhaps we should discuss over dinner tomorrow,

| turned away from the window, deliberately ignoring both Victoria's questioning look and Alexander's message.

On my desk, reports showed Stefan's company bleeding value by the minute. On my screens, en This was what

I'd wanted. What I'd planned for months. What I'd changed my entire identity to achieve.

Victory. Revenge, Justice.

Rebecca locked before entering again. "Ms. Kane, the board is requesting your assessment of Rodriguez

Shipping's remaining assets. They'd like recommendations on which pieces might be worth acquiring or

I nodded, returning to business. To the careful, methodical destruction of those who had destroyed me. To the

path I'd chosen and could no longer deviate from.

Yet as Victoria outlined our next moves against Stefan's failing company, part ofwondered if Alexander's

question deserved consideration

When the gends and all pieces are captured, what then for the queen?