SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 63

Camille's point of view

The morning sun filled my hoffice, bathing the pristine white furniture in golden light

that should have been soothing Instead, | stared at my tablet screen, my chest so Eight | could barely breathe.

The headline of the Wall Street Journal's business section screamed atin hold black letters:

*#_LEWIS INDUSTRIES TO RESCUE RODRIGUEZ SHIPPING WITH $100M INVESTMENT**

The subheading twisted the knife deeper:

*#*Wedding Bells to Follow: Rodriguez-

Lewis Union Cements Business Partnership**

My coffee cup crashed to the floor as | stood abruptly, hot liquid splattering across imported marble tiles. | didn't

care. The words on the screen burned through my mind, erasing months of careful planning, of sy "No," |

whispered, my voice trembling with emotion | rarely

allowed myself anymore. "No, no,

NO!!!

I scrolled through the article, each paragraph feeding the fire growing inside me.

*In a surprising turn of events, Lewis Industries has announced a $100 million investment in Rodriguez

Shipping's Seattle operations, rescuing the century-

old family business from complete collapse following Kane Industries’ recent debt acquisition.*

"Sources close to both families confirm that the business alliance will be strengthened by personal ties, with an

October wedding planned between Stefan Rodriguez and Rose Lewis, sister of the late Camille Le Rodriguez.

"This partnership represents not just a business opportunity, but the joining of two family legacies," Richard

Lewis stated in this morning's press conference. "Sometimes tragedy can lead

to unexpected new beginnings."* The tablet flew from my hands before | realized I'd thrown it, shattering against

the far wall in a spray of glass and electronics. The destruction wasn't enough. Nothing could qui After

everything I'd done. After buying his company's debt. After taking his family home. After systematically

destroying everything the Rodriguez nstood for.

Stefan was still choosing Rose. Still moving forward with the life they'd planned while | was supposedly dead at

the bottom of that river.

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And my parents - MY PARENTS were funding it all.

My intebuzzed, Rebecca's voice careful and measured

"Ms. Kane? | assyou've seen the news. Victoria is on the secure line."

| forced myself to take three deep breaths before responding. "Send the call through."

Victoria's face

appeared on my wall screen, her expression controlled but fury evident in the tightness around her eyes. She

was in her Tokyo hotel suite, the skyline visible behind her through floor- to-ceiling windows.

is unacceptable," she said without greeting. "All our careful work, undone by a simple investment deal." "They

can't do this," | replied, pacing the length of my office. "We own the debt. We control the assets. Ho "They're not

buying the company," Victoria

interrupted. "hey're creating a new entity, using the few assets we couldn't touch, primarily the Seattle

operations we thought were too worthless to bother with. Your father has found a legal workaround that kee The

word "father" sent fresh pain shooting through me. Richard Lewis was funding the revival of Stefan's business,

cementing Rose's triumph, all while having no idea he was destroying his supposedly dead da "The wedding

announcement wasn't coincidental," Victoria continued, her analytical mind already dissecting the strategy. "It's

a deliberate message to investors and clients, a statement of confidence in the new "I want it stopped." My voice

cout harder than I'd ever heard it. "All of it. The investment. The business alliance. The wedding. | want it all

burned to the ground."

Victoria studiedthrough the screen, her gaze softening slightly, a rare glimpse of the maternal concern she

typically kept hidden beneath her formidable exterior. "This is why I've always cautioned against er "Of course

I'm taking it personally!" | slammed my hand against my desk, welcoming the physical pain. "It 15 personal. It's

MY revenge they're unraveling. MY justice being denied."

"Your revenge isn't complete, "Victoria sald calmly. "This is merely an unexpected development requiring tactical

adjustment.”

Tactical adjustment?" | laughed, the sound sharp and bitter even to my own ears. They're getting MARRIED,

Victoria. With my parents’ blessing and financial support. After everything they did to me. After every “And they

will still pay. Perhaps more completely than before.” Victoria leaned closer to the camera, her expression

intensifying. “This development presents new opportunities. They're rebuilding, investing emot Her logic should

have calmed me. Should have helpedsee past the raw hurt to the strategic implications. Instead, | felt

something crack inside, sfinal piece of the woman I'd once been breaking away "I feel like everything we've

done was for nothing," | said, collapsing back into my chair. "They still win in the end"

Victoria's expression shifted, calculation replacing concern. "Perhaps we've been too... indirect in our approach."

A small, dangerous smile curved her lips. "We need to create a scandal that will completely destroy your sister

Rose."

| looked up sharply. "What kind of scandal?"

"The kind that would make your parents reconsider their support. The kind that would make Stefan question his

choice." Victoria tapped her fingers against her desk, a habit | knew indicated she was carefully c

next words.

My breath caught. "That is a good plan"

Recently, | acquired proof and witnesses of all of Rose scandals" Victoria's expression was unreadable. “I held it

in reserve, uncertain if such a personal attack would serve our larger goals. But now..." "Now it's exactly what we

need," | finished, a cold clarity replacing the emotional turmoil I'd felt moments before. "Evidence that Rose is

not a saint."

"Show me," | demanded, leaning toward the screen. "Showwhat you have."

Chapter 61

"When | return tomorrow. This isn't something to discuss over even our most secure channels." Victoria's

expression softened again, nearly imperceptible but there for those who knew how to read her. "For now "I'm not

in the mood for smiling at socialites. "

"Nevertheless, you will attend." Victoria's tone brooked no argument, maternal authority overlaying business

command. "Now more than ever, Camille Kane must appear unaffected by Rodriguez Lewis affairs. A After

ending the call, | showered and dressed mechanically, donning a pale blue suit that Rebecca had selected for the

luncheon. My outward appearance perfectly matched what was expected of Victoria Kane Inside, | was burning

My car was waiting when | descended the mansion's grand staircase. James stood by the open door, his

expression professionally blank as always.

"The Botanical Gardens, Ms. Kane?"

"No," | decided suddenly. "Taketo the Rodriguez estate first."

James hesitated, unusual for him. "Ms. Kane, the property is no longer.

"I know it's no longer in Rodriguez hands. | know we own it | just... need to see it."

He nodded, closing my door before sliding into the driver's seat. As the car wound through exclusive

neighborhoods where Manhattan's elite maintained their family compounds, | stared out the window without

really seeing the passing scenery.

The Rodriguez estate had been in their family for five generations. I'd lived there for three years as

Stefan's

wife, trying desperately to fit into spaces that had never truly welcomed me. Now it stood empty, another asset

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in Kane Industries’ portfolio, another piece of the Rodriguez legacystripped away.

Except now Stefan was rebuilding that legacy. With Rose by his side. With my parents’ money and blessing.

The car slowed as we approached the private road leading to the estate. James paused at the security gate,

showing identification to the guard Victoria had stationed there.

"We're just driving past," he explained, "Ms. Kane wanted to view the property."

The guard nodded, raising the barrier to allow us through.

The driveway curved through manicured grounds, revealing the mansion gradually as we approached. Colonial

architecture, white columns, windows

gleaming in the morning sunlight. It looked exactly as | remembered from my years living there, except for the

stillness. No staff moving about the grounds. No cars in the circular drive. Just empty perfection, pre "Stop here,"

I instructed as we reached the front of the house.

"Would you like to go inside, Ms. Kane? | have the access codes."

"No." | wasn't ready for that, wasn't sure I'd ever be ready to walk through rooms filled with memories of my

failed marriage. "This is close enough."

Through the car window, | studied the hthat had never truly felt like mine despite my best efforts. Stefan's

mother had

made sure of that, with her constant remarks about traditions | didn't understand and standards [ couldn't quite

meet. Even the furniture had belonged to previous Rodriguez wives, selected and arranged Cgenerations

before I arrived.

Rose would fit perfectly here. Would know exactly how to play the role of Rodriguez wife, just as she'd always

excelled at being the perfect Lewis daughter.

The thought sent fresh pain spiraling through me.

"They're not moving back here," | said aloud, decision crystallizing

as | spoke "Even if the new business succeeds. Even if the wedding proceeds. They will never live in this house

again."

James met my eyes in the rearview mirror, "What would you like done with the property, Ms. Kane?"

Tconsidered the question, looking at the grand house that represented everything the Rodriguez nstood for,

tradition, wealth, unbroken lineage.

"Sell it,” | said finally, "Not to another family. To developers, | want it torn down, the land divided into smaller lots

James nodded, making a note on his phone. He didn't question the decision that would erase a historic property,

didn't comment on the destructiveness of the order. Victoria hired people who followed instruc"Now the

Botanical Gardens," | said, turning away as we pulled back down the driveway. "I have a charity luncheon to

attend."