SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 73

Camille's point of view

The Kane mansion gleamed like a jewel against the night sky, every window ablaze with light, every entrance

adorned with arrangements of fire lilies and black orchids. Limousines lined the circular driveway, de | watched it

all from Victoria's private study, a closed-

circuit feed showingevery entrance, every reaction, every whispered speculation about why Kane Industries

had gathered such an illustrious crowd on this particular evening.

"They're calling it the event of the season," Victoria said, adjusting the

diamond clip in my hair. "Everyone who matters in New York is

here, wondering what magnificent announcement Camille Kane plans to make."

| barely heard her, my eyes fixed on the feed showing the main entrance. Rose had just arrived, looking thinner

than | remembered but still maintaining that perfect poise that had once madeso jealous. Her dress, likely

one of the few remaining from her collapsed fashion line, was a study in understated elegance. No one watching

her would guess that her company had failed, her reputation was in tatters, and her Only I could see the strain

around her eyes, the slightly too-

tight smile, the carefully hidden desperation of a woman clinging to the last threads of her social standing.

"She almost didn't come," Victoria noted, following my gaze. "The invitation was returned twice before being

finally accepted yesterday."

"Pride," | said softly. "She couldn't bear being excluded

from an event everyone would be talking about. Even if it meant facing the woman she believes orchestrated her

downfall."

Victoria nodded. "And Stefan?"

| switched to another camera feed, scanning the growing crowd until | found

him. Stefan Rodriguez stood near a pillar, looking uncomfortable in

his tuxedo, a glass of champagne untouched in his hand. The past months had aged him visibly, his once

confident posture now slightly stooped, his face lined with stress and failure, "Southwest corner," | said. "Alone.

Watching.

11

Victoria studied the feed, a small smile of satisfaction curving her lips. "Perfect positioning for what's to come."

She turned to me, her expression growing serious. "Are you ready?"

Was | ready? After two years of planning, of careful transformation, of systematic revenge, was | ready for the

moment when everyone would finally know the truth?

"Yes," | said, surprised by the steadiness in my voice. "It's time."

Victoria nodded

once, then moved toward the door. "I'll make the introductory remarks at nine o'clock precisely. You'll enter from

the left side of the stage. Everything is prepared exactly as we discussed." After she left, | stood before the full-

length mirror, taking in my appearance one final time. The woman who Jooked back atwas both familiar and

strange, Camille Kane's surgically perfected features overlaying Camille Lewis's expressions. My Chapter 73

"Ready or not," | whispered to my reflection.

The hidden door connecting Victoria's study to the backstage area of the ballroom opened silently. | moved

through the passage, hearing the murmur of three hundred voices growing louder with each step. At th The

crowd quieted immediately, all eyes turning to the woman whose business acumen and ruthless strategies had

built an empire few dared to challenge.

"Distinguished guests," Victoria began, her voice commanding complete attention without apparent effort. "

Thank you for joining us on this special evening. For those who know Kane Industries’ history, you und | watched

the crowd from my hidden position, noting how they leaned forward slightly, anticipation building. My eyes found

Rose again, standing

now near the bar, her expression a careful mask of polite interest that couldn't quite hide her resentment at

Victoria's success contrasted with her own recent failures.

"Two years ago," Victoria continued, "I made a decision that would transform not only Kane Industries but my

personal life as well. Tonight, we celebrate not just a business evolution, but a more meaningful tran A murmur

rippled through the crowd. This wasn't the standard corporate announcement they had been expecting. "Most of

you know my daughter, Camille Kane," Victoria said, her voice warming slightly. "Since The murmuring grew

louder. | saw confusion on many faces, calculation on others. Rose had gone perfectly still, her champagne glass

frozen halfway to her lips. "Tonight," Victoria said, her voice dropping to ensure complete attention, "the masks

coff. The truth emerges. And justice, long deferred, is finally acknowledged." She turned toward where |

stood waiting. "Ladies and gentlemen, | give you not Camille Kane, but Camille Lewis."

My cue. | stepped onto the stage, the spotlight findinginstantly, three hundred faces turning in perfect

unison to stare in my direction. For a moment, complete silence filled the ballroom, a collective intake of breath

as the implications of Victoria's introduction registered.

Then chaos erupted.

Gasps. Exclamations. The crash of a dropped champagne glass. Voices rising in shock and disbelief. Through it

all, I walked calmly to center stage, taking my place beside Victoria, accepting the microphone sh