SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

The view from the seventy-

eighth floor of Pierce Tower turned Manhattan into a miniature city, tiny lights flickering like stars below.

Alexander stood at the floor-

to-

ceiling window, phone pressed to his ear, watching darkness spread across the skyline. His reflection stared back

at him, perfectly tailored suit, carefully neutral expression, eyes that revealed nothing of the gar

"I understand your interest in Rose Lewis's fashion line, M. Hiroshi," he said, voice smooth as aged whiskey." But

my analysis suggests it would be an unwise investment at this time. The brand carries significar The Japanese

investor on the other end sounded disappointed. "Our research indicated solid growth potential despite recent...

difficulties."

"Your research is incomplete," Alexander replied, moving to his desk where three monitors displayed financial

data on Rose's collapsing business. "I've taken the liberty of sending you sadditional informatic He'd spent

hours compiling this dossier -

rumors of design theft, details of canceled retail contracts, hints of connections to Bessonov's questionable

finances. All

true, all damaging, all impossible to ignore for a cautious investor like Hiroshi."

"This is... most concerning," Hiroshi said after a lengthy pause. "You've savedfrom a significant mistake, Mr.

Pierce. | owe you a debt of gratitude."

"Not at all. That's what friends do." Alexander kept his voice warm, collegial. "There will be better opportunities.

Perhaps we could discuss

the tech portfo| mentioned last month?"

After finalizing plans to redirect Hiroshi's investment toward one of his own companies, Alexander ended the call

and checked his list. Rose Lewis had approached nine potential investors since her business began collapsing.

He'd now intercepted and turned away seven of them.

The phone rang again, his private line. Only three people had this number.

"Sarah. Updates?"

His secretary's efficient voice filled the room. "Rodriguez Shipping approached Eastern Capital Partners this

morning. They're seeking hundred million in emergency financing."

Alexander frowned slightly. Eastern Capital was one of the few major investment firms he didn't have direct

influence over.

"Who's handling their case?"

"David Chen."

Alexander smiled. David owed him a favor from last year's Hong Kong deal. "Connectto him. And have the

team prepare a detailed risk assessment on Rodriguez Shipping. Make sure it emphasizes their A "Already done,

sir. The assessment is being delivered to Mr. Chen's office as we speak."

"Excellent." Alexander paused. "Any news from Kane Industries?"

"Ms. Kane is scheduled

to appear at the Metropolitan Museum fundraiser tonight. Our sources indicate she'll be alone, Victoria is in

Chicago for a separate engagement."

Chapter 49

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Interesting. Camille attending a major event without Victoria's watchful presence. An opportunity, perhaps.

"Send flowers to her office. White roses. No card."

"Yes, sir. Anything else?"

Alexander moved back to the window, mind already calculating next moves.

"Have we received the updated assessment on Sterling Financial's exposure to Rodriguez Shipping debt?"

"Yes, sir. They're significantly overextended. If Rodriguez defaults on their existing loans, Sterling could face a

liquidity crisis."

“Perfect. Leak that information to the Wall Street Journal's financial desk. Anonymously, of course."

When Sarah signed off, Alexander remained at the window watching night fully claim the city. In the distance,

the lights of Kane Tower glowed steady and bright, Victoria's empire, now Camille's inheritance. Bet His desk

phone buzzed again.

"Mr. Pierce,

William Gray from Morgan Stanley on line one. He's asking about your interest in acquiring distressed fashion

assets.”

Alexander moved to his desk, a small smile playing at his lips. So Rose had reached out to Morgan Stanley as

well. Desperate times indeed.

"William, good evening." He kept

his tone pleasant, interested. "What assets are we discussing?"

"There's a fashion brand facing stemporary difficulties. Strong fundamentals, excellent design team, just

needs a capital infusion to weather current PR issues."

"Rose Lewis's line?" Alexander asked, though he already knew the answer.

The pause on the other end confirmed it. "Yes. You've heard of the situation?"

"I make it my business to stay informed." Alexander opened his

laptop, pulling up the contingency plan he'd prepared for this exact call. "Sendthe prospectus. I'll review it

tonight."

11

He had no intention of investing a penny in Rose's failing business. But expressing interest would keep other

potential rescuers waiting, watching, wasting precious twhile her brand sank further into crisis. After ending

the call, Alexander checked his other screen, where a different battle was being monitored. Three major shipping

companies were circling Rodriguez Shipping, vultures sensing a dying animal, His team had quietly reached out

to each one, suggesting they wait for the company's situation to deteriorate further before making acquisition

offers.

Why rush in, his people had suggested, when patience would yield a much lower purchase price?

His phone buzzed with an alert. Rodriguez Shipping stock had just hit

another new low in after

hours trading. Eight percent down from yesterday's close. Another successful day in the systematic dismantling

of Stefan Rodriguez's life.

Alexander should have felt only satisfaction. This was what he'd planned, helping Camille achieve her revenge

while remaining invisible, repaying his debt to the woman who'd once saved him when he had noth Instead,

something uncomfortable stirred beneath his calculated exterior. Doubt. Concern. Questions about what all this

destruction was doing to Camille's soul.

Chapter 49

He'd

walked a similar path once. Knew the cost of revenge. The way it hollowed you out even as it satisfied your

darkest hunger.

His private elevator pinged, doors sliding open to admit his chief security officer, Marcus.

"The surveillance report you requested," Marcus said, placing a slim

folder on Alexander's desk. "Ms. Kane's movements for the past week."

Alexander nodded his

thanks, waiting until Marcus departed before opening the folder. Inside, photos showed Camille at various

business meetings, charity functions, private dinners with Victoria. In each image, she appeared compo Only

someone who knew what to look for would notice the slight tension around her eyes. The carefully controlled

movements. The practiced smiles that never quite reached her gaze.

He recognized the signs because he'd once worn the smask. The face of someone consumed by revenge,

hollowed out by its demands, questioning what would remain when the fire of hatred finally burne Alexander

moved to a hidden panel in his office wall, pressing his palm against the biometric scanner. The wall slid open,

revealing a private

safe. Inside, alongside documents worth billions and secrets that could topple governments, lay a small velvet

box.

He removed it carefully, opening the lid to reveal the silver rose pendant. Four years he'd carried it, waiting for

the right moment

to return

it to the woman who'd sat beside his hospital bed. Who'd paid his medical bills when his family abandoned him.

Who'd shown kindness when he had nothing to offer in return.

The woman who now walked a

path of destruction, not knowing he followed behind, helping clear obstacles, ensuring her success. Watching her

transform from victim to avenger.

His phone rang again, the secure line connected to his most sensitive operations.

"Sir, Sterling Financial just announced an emergency audit of all shipping industry loans. Rodriguez Shipping

stock is dropping in Asian markets."

"Monitor the situation," Alexander instructed. "And prepare the acquisition documents we discussed. When they

hit rock bottom, | want to be ready to move."

Not to actually acquire

anything, but to create the appearance of interest keeping other potential buyers away until Kane Industries

could make their move. Another invisible thread pulled to aid Camille's revenge.

Alexander returned the pendant to its safe, closing the hidden panel before moving back to his desk. His screens

displayed the ongoing destruction of two lives, Rose's fashion empire in tatters, Stefan's shippin

He picked up his phone, fingers hovering over the keys. For weeks, he'd maintained a careful distance, offering

only cryptic texts, watching Camille's revenge unfold from afar. Perhaps

it was tfor a more direct approach. *The wolves circle the wounded prey. Both targets now seeking

emergency financing,

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

both being denied at every turn. Your move is proving most effective, little phoenix.*

He hesitated before sending it, knowing Victoria would disapprove of his involvement. Knowing Camille herself

might resent his awareness of her plans. Knowing he was crossing a line between observer and But something in

him needed her to know she wasn't alone in this battle. That someone understood the cost of what she was

doing. That someone saw beyond the mask she wore.

He pressed send, then turned back to the window, watching his

reflection in the darkened glass. The man looking back was unreadable, controlled, powerful, everything he'd

built himself to be after his own destruction and

Chapter 49

rebirth.

pa

But beneath that carefully constructed exterior lay memories of a hospital room. Of gentle hands changing

bandages. Of a quiet voice reading when pain kept him awake. Of kindness offered without expectation a

response from Camille: *How do you always know?*

Alexander smiled slightly, typing his reply: *The sway | know when the wind changes direction or the tide

turns. Sforces can be felt rather than scen.*

Her response cquickly: *You're a mystery | don't have tto solve right now.*

*Yet solveyou will, one day. When your current quest is complete. *

He waited, watching three dots appear and disappear several times before her final message arrived: *What

makes you think it will ever be complete?

*

The question carried weight beyond its simple words. He'recognized the fear beneath it, the sfear he'd once

faced. What

happens when revenge is achieved? What remains of the person you were? What fills the void when hatred no

longer drives every decision?

*Because all fires eventually burn out, little phoenix. The question is what rises from the ashes.*

No response followed. He hadn't expected one. Squestions had no easy answers, especially for someone

still consumed by the flames. Alexander returned to his desk, reviewing reports of the day's

successful manipulations. Eastern Capital had declined Rodriguez Shipping's loan application, citing "concerns

about management stability." Three more investors had backed away from Rose's fashion line afte All pieces

moving exactly as planned. All contributing to the systematic destruction of two people who had once destroyed

Camille Lewis.

Tomorrow would bring more of the same. More blocked investors. More leaked information. More careful

manipulation of markets and opinions. All invisible, all untraceable, all designed to complement Camille's His

phone buzzed with a final text from Sarah: *Mission accomplished. Morgan Stanley will delay response to Rose

Lewis until after the weekend. By then it will be too late for her production deadlines.* Another victory. Another

nail in the coffin of Rose's fashion dreams.

Alexander closed his laptop, gathering his coat to leave. Tonight he would attend the sMetropolitan Museum

fundraiser as Camille, watching her from across the room, their shared secret a silent bond neith Tomorrow he

would continue dismantling the financial foundations of her enemies, an unseen ally in her quest for justice. Or

revenge. Or whatever she

chose to call the fire consuming her.

And when it was over, when Rose and Stefan lay broken beyond repair, he would be waiting. Ready to help her

answer the question she wasn't yet ready to face.

What rises from the ashes when revenge is finally complete