SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

"You'll attend the Bellamy Gallery auction in my place tonight," Victoria said, not looking up from the docume

spread across her desk. The statement carried the weight of command rather than request. Camille paused by

the doorway of Victoria's hoffice. "The Bellamy auction? Isn't that where..."

"Yes," Victoria confirmed, finally glancing up with calculating eyes. "According to my sources, both Rose and

Stefan will be in attendance. Rose has been desperately trying to secure a meeting with Kane Indust Camille's

heart quickened. "To see them?"

"To observe their dynamics in a neutral setting. To understand exactly what you're up against." Victoria rose fro

her chair, moving to stand before Camille with critical

assessment. "The question is whether you're ready." "I've spent months preparing," Camille replied, steadying

her voice. "I've changed everything about myself. The won't recognize me."

Victoria's expression remained unconvinced. "Physical transformation is only part of it. Can you maintain your

composure when you see the man who abandoned you with the sister who betrayed you?" The question struck

like a physical blow, but Camille didn'flinch. "Yes."

"Even when anger threatens to overwhelm you? When every instinct screams to reveal yourself?"

"Yes," Camille repeated, more firmly this time.

Victoria studied her for a long moment before nodding once "The Dior in midnight blue. Simple diamond studs.

Your hair swept back. You are Camille Kane tonight, confident, untouchable. Remember, you aren' them. You're

there to remind yourself why all of this is necessary. Remember who you are now, Camille Kane. My daughter. My

heir." With those words lingering in her mind, Camille prepared for the evening ah The evening at the gallery had

drawn Manhattan's elite like moths to flame, their jewelry catching light beneath crystal chandeliers. Through

the glittering crowd, Camille saw them first, Rose and Stefan entering composed face.

She kept her

champagne glass steady, maintained her pleasant expression as she

discussed upcoming exhibitions with the museum curator. But beneath that

polished exterior, her pulse quickened with a mix of rage and anticipation. They moved through the room like

they owned it, Rose's practiced laugh carrying over the general chatter, Stefan's hand resting posse: When the

curator excused himself, Camille knew what was coming. She watched Rose's predatory gaze

scan the room, noting faces, calculating connections. The moment her sister spotted her, those familiar eyes lit

with Interest, registering the designer dress, the subtle jewelry, the way other guests deferred to h "I don't

believe we've been properly

introduced," Rose pured, extending her hand with practiced grace. "Rose Lewis. And this is my fiancé, Stefan

Rodriguez."

Camille accepted the hand that had once straightened her wedding veil, fought back the urge to either crush it

or recoil. "Camille Kane. A pleasure."

She watched confusion flicker across Stefan's face at her name, quickly masked but present. Rose's smile

+25 BON

Chapter 34

remained fixed, though calculation sparked behind her eyes as she processed the surname. "Kate... any relation

to Victoria Kane?" The casual tone couldn't hide her sudden intensity.

"My mother," Camille replied simply, watching that information land. Rose's smile widened fractionally, here was

the

connection she'd been hoping to make since her failed meeting

with Kane Industries.

"How fascinating!"

Rose leaned in slightly, like sharing a confidence. "I've long admired your mother's business acumen. In fact, |

recently had the pleasure of meeting with one of her representatives about potential investment in

Camille

let her lips curve in the slight smile Victoria had taught her, one that offered nothing while suggesting everything

"Yes, | believe | saw the proposal cross my desk

Stefan shifted his weight, something about her clearly needling at his subconscious. "I'm sorry, but have we met

before? Something seems familiar..."

"I don't believe so," Camille replied coolly, even as her heart thundered in her chest. "I've

spent most of my life in Europe. Only recently returned to New York."

"Of course," he said quickly, though doubt lingered in his expression. "My mistake. You just remindedof

someone for a moment."

Rose shot him a quick, sharp look before turning back to Camille with renewed warmth. "We simply must have

lunch soon. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the current fashion landscape, Perhaps next week?" "I'm afraid my

schedule is quite full," Camille demurred, using the subtle dismissal Victoria had drilled into her." But do keep in

touch with our investment team. I'm sure they'll be in contact once decisions are ma She watched Rose's smile

tighten almost imperceptibly. Her sister wasn't used to being the one seeking favor rather than granting it. The

role reversal clearly unsettled her, though she recovered quickly. "Of course," Rose said smoothly. "We won't

keep you from your other guests. Stefan?"

As they moved away, Camille maintained her composed expression while victory sang through her veins. They

hadn't recognized her. The woman they had methodically destroyed stood right before them, and She excused

herself to the powder room, needing a moment to steady her racing heart. The private

space offered brief sanctuary, allowing her to study her reflection, the sharp cheekbones that had replaced solter

features, the elegantly styled hair so different from her former length, the confidence in her postu But that

woman's emotions still raged

beneath the surface memories of betrayal sharp as knives. Seeing them together, so casually content, so

unburdened by their cruelty... it took every ounce of control not to reveal herself, not to show them exac The

door opened and Camille instantly checked her expression. Rose entered, pausing briefly when she saw who

occupied the mirror.

"Ms. Kane," she said warmly. "I hope you'll forgive my persistence, but | simply had to try one more time. My line

really is doing exceptional things with sustainable luxury fashion. Perhaps | could have my assist Camille met her

sister's eyes in the mirror, the seyes that had watched Stefan sign divorce papers on her anniversary, that

had feigned sympathy while stealing her husband, that had likely celebrated news "Ms. Lewis," Camille said

quietly, savoring the small flinch Rose couldn't quite hida -

hidra

everything. And I'm afraid your timing is... unfortunate."

Rose's smile faltered slightly. "I don't understand."

"The market is shifting Luxury fashion is a crowded space Camille turned to face her directly, allowing just a hint

of the truth to color her words. "Sometimes no matter how hard we try, no matter how perfect our Something

dark flickered in Rose's eyes, a glimpse of the calculating

predator beneath her polished smile." Everything works out exactly as it should," she said, her tone carrying an

edge. “Eventually.”

"Perhaps,” Camille agreed smoothly. "But not always in the way we expect."

She moved toward the door, pausing with her hand

on the handle. "Congratulations on your engagement, by the way. Second chances are so rare, aren't they?"

The confused unease on Rose's face was almost worth the years of pain that had led to this moment. Camille

slipped out of the powder room, her composed exit masking the trembling in her hands. Her controlled departure

ended abruptly as she collided with someone just outside the door. Strong hands steadied her before she could

stumble, the touch sending an unwelcshiver down her spine.

"We meet again, Ms. Kane," Alexander Pierce's voice held that sknowing tone that had haunted her since

the charity ball. "Though perhaps we should stop running into each other quite so literally." His gray eyes studied

her face with unsettling intensity, his hands lingering on her arms a moment longer than necessary. When he

finally released her, that infamous smirk played at his lips. "Mr. Pierce," she managed, fighting to keep her voice

steady. "I wasn't aware you frequented art galleries."

"l go

where my interests lead me," he replied, his gaze never leaving her face. The unspoken meaning behind his

words hung heavy in the air between them.

Across the room, Rose had emerged from the powder room just in tto witness their interaction. She drifted

toward an elderly woman known for her encyclopedic knowledge of New York society, carefully pos “That's

Victoria Kane's daughter with Alexander Pierce," the woman was telling another guest, her voice just enough to

reach Rose's ears. “The heiress to Kane Industries. Quite the story, adopted years ago bu Rose's perfectly

manicured nails dug into her palm as the information sank in. The woman she'd just practically begged for

investment wasn't merely Victoria's daughter or a Kane Industries executive, she was Stefan appeared at her

side, noticing her sudden tension. "What's wrong?"

"Do you realize who that is?" Rose

hissed under her breath, watching as Pierce and Camille continued their intense conversation. "Victoria Kane's

daughter. Not just scompany representative, the actual heir to Kane Industries"

Meanwhile, Camille felt caught between two fires, Pierce's dangerous knowledge of her true identity, and Rose's

newly informed observation of their interaction. She could practically see the calculations happer "Having an

interesting evening?"

Pierce asked softly, clearly enjoying her discomfort. "Family reunions can be so... complicated."

"I don't know what you think you know," Camille replied quietly, "but you're playing a dangerous game." His

smile widened fractionally. "On the contrary, Ms. Kane or should | say Ms. Lewis? | think I'm the only being

played."

Before she could respond, he stepped closer, his voice dropping to barely a whisper. "The question is, do

understand what you're really playing for?"

you

He moved past her then, leaving Camille with the unsettling sensation that she was missing something vital.

Something that went beyond her carefully planned revenge Something that Pierce could see but she Across the

room, Rose was already typing furiously on her phone, likely instructing, her assistant to compile everything

available about Victoria Kane's mysterious daughter. Her earlier dismissal clearly burned,