SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 144

Camille stood at the window of her office, a cup of coffee cooling in her hands as she watched the city below. The

Phoenix Grid had fully recovered from the bombings, with the repairs finished ahead of schedul Until Alexander

Pierce walked in, his face grim.

"We need to talk," he said, closing the door behind him.

Something

in his voice made Camille's stomach tighten. She set down her coffee cup. "What happened?"

Alexander

loosened his tie, a gesture he only made when upset. "Herod Preston was shot three times in a motel room

yesterday. He'd called the FBI to turn himself in, but before they got there, someone tried to kill him.” "Rose,"

Camille said immediately. It wasn't a question.

Alexander nodded. "The motel room was registered under her name. She escaped through the bathroom window.

Police are still looking for her."

Camille sank into her chair, trying to process this news. "Is Preston dead?"

"No.

But it's close. He's in intensive care, heavily guarded." Alexander sat on the edge of her desk. "The FBI thinks

Rose shot him to keep him from talking. He was about to tell them everything." "About her involvement in the

bombings."

"es."

Camille stared at her hands, noticing they were perfectly steady despite the storm inside her. Three years ago,

news of Rose's latest violence would have shaken her. Now it just confirmed what she already kne "So Rose is on

the run," Camille said. "With the FBI hunting her."

"Yes. But that makes her more dangerous, not less." Alexander reached for Camille's hand. "She has nothing left

to lose

now."

Before Camille could respond, the door opened again. Victoria Kane

swept in, her face pale but determined. Despite her recent surgery, she moved with purpose, though Camille

noticed she leaned slightly on her cane.

"You've told her?" Victoria asked Alexander.

"Just now," he confirmed.

Victoria turned to Camille. "We need to postpone the charity gala."

"What? No." Camille stood. "Everything is ready. The donors are confirmed. The hospital is counting on us."

2

"Rose is out there," Victoria said sharply. "She's armed. She's desperate. And she wants to destroy you."

"She's always wanted to destroy me," Camille replied, her voice steady. "That hasn't changed."

"What's changed is that she's shot a man three times and is now running from the FBI," Victoria countered.

"She's crossed a line, Camille. She's proven she's willing to kill."

The three of them fell silent, the weight of Victoria's words hanging in the air. Camille moved back to the window,

looking out at the city she'd helped rebuild after Rose's attacks. Her city now. "I won't hide," she said finally. "I

won't cancel the gala because I'm afraid of Rose."

Victoria sighed, the sound heavy with frustration. "This isn't about fear. It's about common sense. Basic safety."

"It's about sending a message," Camille insisted, turning to face her mentor. "If we cancel the gala, Rose wins.

She'll know she can disrupt our lives, make us run and hide, anytshe wants." "Better disrupted than dead,"

Victoria said bluntly.

Alexander watched them both, his face thoughtful. “"What if we went ahead with the gala, but with increased

security? My team plus Kane Industries security. The FBI might even provide protection if we tell then Victoria

shook her head. "Too risky. Rose knows this event is important to Camille. She'll see it as the perfect opportunit

to strike."

"Good," Camille said, surprising them both. "Let her come."

"Camille..." Victoria began, alarm clear in her voice.

"No, listen." Camille moved closer, her mind racing ahead. "Rose is unpredictable when she's hiding, when she

can plan her attacks in secret. But if she comes to the gala, we'll be ready. We'll know where she i Chapter 144

"You want to use the gala as bait," Alexander realized, his expression torn between admiration and concer

"Yes." Camille's eyes burned with determination. "We find her before she finds us. End this once and for all

Victoria stared at her adopted daughter, seeing not the broken woman she'd rescued from a parking garage, but

someone new. Someone who had been forged in fire and emerged stronger. Part of her felt prou afraid

"It's too dangerous," Victoria insisted. "Rose has already tried to kill Herod. She won't hesitate to cafter you"

"I'm not Herod," Camille said quietly. "I've never

underestimated Rose. | know exactly what she's capable of

Alexander stood, moving to Camille's side. "If we do this, we do it my way. Every guest checked and rechecked.

Security at every entrance. Plainclothes guards throughout the event."

"And you stay by my side the entire night," Camille added, taking his hand. "No wandering off to charm donors

on your own."

He smiled slightly. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Victoria watched them, seeing their determination, their unity. She had taught Camille to face her enemies, to

show strength instead of weakness. Now her student was putting those lessons into practice, despit "You're both

insane," Victoria

said finally. "But if you're determined to do this, we'll need a detailed security plan. One that assumes Rose will

find a way in no matter what we do."

"Already working

on it," Alexander assured her. "I'll have a draft by this afternoon."

Victoria nodded, then focused on Camille. "You understand what you're risking, yes? Rose isn't just

angry anymore. She's cornered. Desperate. The most dangerous she's ever

been."

"I understand," Camille

said, her voice soft but firm. "But I'm not the woman she tried to destroy in that parking garage. I'm not afraid of

her anymore."

Something flickered across Victoria's face, pride mixed with worry. "Just remember that not being afraid doesn't

make you bulletproof."

"That's why we have security," Camille replied with a small smile.

Victoria didn't return the smile. "I'll make scalls. Add my own resources to Pierce's team." She turned to

leave, then paused at the door. "Camille, promiseone thing."

"What?"

"That you'll listen to your security team. No heroics. No unnecessary risks. Rose isn't worth dying for."

Camille nodded solemnly. "I promise."

After Victoria left, Alexander pulled Camille into his arms. "Are you sure about

this? Really sure?"

She rested her head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. "Yes. I'm tired of waiting for Rose to attack.

Tired of wondering where she'll strike next." She looked up at him, her eyes clear. "It's tto end thi "I know."

Camille's voice was firm, confident. "That's why I'm not afraid. We face her together."

He kissed her gently. "Together."

As Alexander left to begin working on the security plans, Camille returned to the window. The city stretched

before her, glittering in

the afternoon sun. From this height, the people below looked tiny, fragile. Once, she had felt that way, small and

breakable in a world too big and harsh. Now she

stood tall, unafraid.

Victoria's voice cthrough on the intercom. "Camille, can you come

to my office? The security team is here."

"On my way," she replied.

Camille took one last look at the view from her window. She thought of how

far she had cfrom that night in the parking garage. How much she had built from the ashes of

her old life. The Phoenix Grid. Her position at Kane Industries. Her relationship with Alexander. Her reconciliation

with her parents.

Rose had tried to take everything from her, again and again. But each time, Camille had emerged stronger.

"Not this time, Rose," she whispered to herself. "This time, I'm ready for you."

She straightened her shoulders and headed to Victoria's office, where Alexander waited with the security team.

They had a gala to prepare for. And this time, Camille would be the one setting the trap, not walkin The door

closed behind her with a soft click of finality.

The hunt was about to begin.