SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Rose point of view

The showroom that had once been my pride now felt like a tomb, Silent. Empty. Abandoned. | moved between

the clothing racks, touching fabrics that represented thousands of hours of work. My spring collecti pushing" and

"career defining" just weeks ago, hung untouched, unsold,

unwanted.

My phone buzzed for the twentieth tthat morning. Another cancellation, no doubt. Another buyer pulling

orders. Another door slamming shut.

| ignored it, continuing my lonely tour through what remained of my empire. The front desk sat vacant, I'd had to

let Jessica go yesterday, along with three other staff members. The remaining team worked from The quiet made

the memories louder. The launch party for this collection just two months ago. Champagne flowing. Music

pulsing. Fashion editors praising my "visionary aesthetic." Buyers from luxury stores ar All gone.

In the back office, financial reports covered my desk in a sea of red numbers. The phone rang again, my lawyer's

nflashing on the screen. | answered this time, bracing for more bad news.

Rose, Mark's voice carried the careful tone people use with the terminally ill. "Neiman Marcus just pulled their

entire order."

My fingers tightened on the phone. Neiman had been my biggest supporter from the beginning. Their spring

order represented nearly a million dollars in revenue.

"They can't do that," | said, struggling to keep my voice steady. "We have a contract."

"They're invoking the morality clause, Paragraph sixteen, section B. The sone Saks used yesterday."

Another blow. Another cut. | sank into my chair, legs suddenly unable to support my weight.

"What about Bergdorf?" | asked, though I already knew the answer from his silence.

"Their email cfive minutes ago. | was about to call you?

Three major department stores in twenty-

four hours. Each one citing the s"reputational concerns" after the photos ofwith Anton Bessonov had

spread through every fashion publication.

"What about the spring production run?" | asked, mind racing to find spath forward. "We've already started

manufacturing”

Mark hesitated. "That's the other thing. Stellar Fabrics called this morning. They're canceling delivery of the

materials."

The room tilted sideways. Stellar was our main supplier. Without their specialized fabrics, we couldn't produce

anything, not the spring collection, not even basic pieces to keep cash flowing "They can't back out!" My voice

rose despite my efforts to remain calm. "We prepaid half the order!"

"They're refunding the deposit, but the contract has the smorality clause as the others. Rose, someone

went through your agreements very carefully. Every major partner has the sexit provision." Chapter 49

Ice spread through my veins. This wasn't bad luck or coincidence. This was planned. Executed with precision by

someone who wanted to destroycompletely.

"Who would do this, Mark? Who wants to ruin me?"

"It could be any competitor in the industry. Fashion is..."

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

"No," | cut him off. "This feels personal. The timing of the photo leaks. The coordination of the contract

cancellations. Someone is orchestrating this."

Mark sighed. "I've reached out to my contacts at the other fashion houses. No one seems to know where the

photos originated. They just appeared simultaneously on multiple blogs, like they were seeded delib My mind

raced through possibilities. Jealous designers? Industry rivals? Former lovers with grudges? The list of people I'd

stepped on to reach the

top wasn't short.

"Has anyone unusual been asking questions about me? Anyone new in

the industry who might have something against me?"

"Not that | know of. But Rose, we need to

focus on saving what's left of the business. If we can secure bridge financing

"There won't be a business left to save if we don't identify who's attacking us!" | slammed my hand on the desk,

sending financial reports fluttering to the floor. "Someone didn't just happen to find those photos. As if

responding to my outburst, the office door opened. My assistant Michael stood there, face pale.

"What now?" | demanded, already knowing from his expression it wasn't good.

"Vogue just pulled your feature." His voice trembled slightly. "And Harper's

Bazaar is asking for comment about.... about the Russian money laundering allegations."

The room spun around me. The Vogue feature had been scheduled for months, a six-

page spread celebrating my authentic creative vision." Now gone. And money laundering? The accusation felt

like a physical blow.

"What allegations?" Mark asked sharply.

Michael handedhis tablet. On screen, a financial blog I'd never heard of detailed suspicious transactions

between Anton Bessonov's accounts and my early business funding. Transactions I'd thought were

"This

is insane," | whispered, scanning the article. "These records were private. How did anyone get access?" But |

already knew the answer. Someone with resources. Someone with connections. Someone determin The landline

phone rang... the private line that only went to certain clients and partners. | placed it on speaker, trying to

gather my composure.

"Rose Lewis."

"Ms. Lewis, this is Maria Chen from Women's Wear Daily. We're running a story about your

brand's financial situation and wanted to offer you a chance to comment."

My heart stuttered. WWD was fashion's bible. Their coverage reached every corner of the industry.

"What exactly is your story about?" Lasked, fighting to keep my voice professional.

Chapter 48

"We've received information that several major retailers have canceled orders amid concerns about your past

business associations. Sources also indicate Stellar Fabrics has terminated your supply contract, a is suspending

production."

Every disaster I'd learned about this moming, wrapped into one neat package. How had they gotten this

information so quickly?

"We're also including details about the Russian yacht photos and alleged financial irregularities," Maria

continued. "Is there a statement you'd like to make?"

Mark made frantic cutting motions across his throat. Don't comment. Don't engage. Don't make it worse.

"This is a targeted campaign to destroy my reputation and business," | said, ignoring his warning. "Someone is

deliberately spreading lies and manipulating contexts to damage my brand. | categorically deny an The trap was

obvious, but my anger overwhelmed my caution.

"The photos are real. The relationship was not what's being implied. And my business dealings have always been

legitimate."

"Then how do you explain the three million dollars transferred

from offshore accounts into your initial business funding?"

The specific amount sent ice through my veins. That

number wasn't public. Wasn't even in my official records. Only two people knew that exact figure,and Anton.

"I have no further comment," | said, ending the call before could say something worse.

"Rose," Mark said quietly. "What offshore accounts?"

| shook my head, unwilling

to answer even my lawyer. Ssecrets had to remain buried, especially now. Michael hovered uncertainly by

the door. "There's one more thing. The factory in Milan called. They need to speak with you urgen Our main

production facility. The backbone of the entire operation. If they pulled out too....

"Give me

five minutes," | said, needing a moment alone before facing the next disaster.

When they left, | moved to the window overlooking the Fashion District. Just last year, I'd chosen this office

specifically for this view, a constant reminder of the industry | was conquering. Now it felt like looking a a

kingdom that had rejected me.

My phone buzzed with a text from Stefan: *Are you seeing the news? We need to talk. Someone is coming after

both of

us."

So he'd made the connection too. Whatever was happening, we were both targets of the senemy.

The question was, who? And why?

A notification appeared on my computer screen. An email from my bank. Subject line: URGENT ACCOUNT

FREEZE

My lands shook as | opened it. The message was brief but devastating. Due to "ongoing financial investigations,"

all business accounts associated with my nwere temporarily frozen. Effective immediately,

No access to operating funds. No way to pay remaining staff No ability to settle debts with the few suppliers still

willing to work with me.

Chapter 40

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

Complete financial paralysis.

| dialed Stefan immediately. "They've frozen my accounts, | said without greeting, "All of them."

"Mine too," he replied, sounding as shaken as | felt. "Ten minutes ago. Right after I lost my last two major Asian

shipping partners."

"This isn't coincidence."!

"No," he agreed. "Someone's targeting us both

systematically. The question is who has the power and motivation to do this"

"Who would hate both of us this much?" | whispered, genuine fear replacing anger for the first time.

"I don't know. But whoever it is, they're not stopping until we're completely destroyed."

After he hung up, | stood alone in my silent showroom. Beautiful clothes that no one would buy. A business

account with no money. A reputation in tatters.

Everything I'd built, everything I'd schemed for, everything I'd sacrificed for, gone in a matter of days.

The door opened again. Michael entered looking like he might vomit. "The factory in Milan has terminated our

contract. And Women's Wear Daily just published their article. It's... it's bad, Rose."

| took the tablet he offered, scanning the headline: “ROSE LEWIS EMPIRE COLLAPSES AMID SCANDAL AND

FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES,”

The article was comprehensive, devastating, and filled with details no one should have known. Every financial

vulnerability. Every contract termination. Every skeleton | thought safely buried.

As | reached the end, something caught my eye that made my blood freeze.

industry insiders

note the curious timing that both Lewis and her fiancé Stefan Rodriguez are facing simultaneous

business collapses, leading to speculation about possible connected financial improprieties."

They were linking us together, suggesting our separate disasters were somehow connected to shared

wrongdoing. Making us both toxic in their respective industries.

| sank to my knees among the beautiful clothes no one would ever wear, surrounded by the dreams that were

turning to dust before my eyes.

Whoever was doing this had resources | couldn't fight, connections | couldn't match, and a determination |

couldn't overcome. They weren't just attacking my business, they were systematically erasing everythi

As | knelt there, a strange calm replaced my panic. I'd fought my way out of nothing once before. Clawed my

way up from the foster system. Reinvented myself as the perfect daughter, the talented designer, the

| could do it again.

| would do it again.

But first, | needed to find out who hated bothand Stefan enough to orchestrate our complete destruction

Because this wasn't just business. This was personal.

And | would make them pay.