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Chapter 57
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2025-04-19 02:47:02
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SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 58
Stefan stared at the offer letter on his desk until the words blurred together. Thirty cents on the dollar. For shipping routes his grandfather had established. For contracts his father had nurtured. For a legacy three generations of Rodriguez men had built with sweat and sacrifice.Thirty cents on the dollar. A number designed to wound as much as to acquire.Behind him, the Rodriguez Shipping headquarters buzzed with the frantic energy of a dying animal. Staff packed personal belongings into cardboard boxes. Security escorted tearful employees to the elevator. Phones rang unanswered throughout the building as news of their financial collapse spread through the industry.Three hours earlier, the board had voted to remove him as CEO. Only his father's intervention, and their family's controlling shares, had prevented his complete dismissal. Now he clung to the title of "Executive CEO," a meaningless position created solely to spare the family public embarrassment."They're waiting for
Last Updated : 2025-04-19SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 59
Chapter 59Camille's point of view "They rejected our offer."Rebecca's words hung in the air between us, impossible, unthinkable. The folder in her hands contained the formal response from Rodriguez Shipping, a single page declining our "generous proposal" with diplomatic language that barely masked the defiance beneath."That's not possible," I said, my voice too quiet even to my own ears. "They're broke. Desperate. Days from complete collapse.""Mr. Rodriguez was quite firm." Rebecca set the folder on my desk, her expression professionally neutral despite delivering news she knew would infuriate me. "Their lead negotiator said the family would rather see the company fail entirely than sell its legacy routes to Kane Industries at thirty cents on the dollar."Heat rose from my chest to my throat, a burning tide of rage I hadn't felt since the night Stefan had handed me divorce papers on our anniversary. Since the night Rose had smirked at my pain while pretending concern. Since the
Last Updated : 2025-04-19SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 60
Chapter 60Morning sunlight cut through Rodriguez Shipping headquarters, harsh and unforgiving. The building felt like a tomb, employees moving like ghosts, their futures evaporating with each passing hour. Stefan stood at his window, throat constricting as he watched the harbor. Last year, a dozen ships bearing his family name had dotted these waters. Now only two remained, forlorn specks against the vast blue that once was his birthright.The grandfather clock, a family heirloom, ticked mercilessly in the silence. Each sound a heartbeat closer to the end.Two floors below, Camille Kane sat watching security feeds, her pulse quickening as she found him. Stefan, standing alone, shoulders unnaturally straight despite everything crumbling around him. That damned Rodriguez pride. Her jaw clenched, fingernails digging into her palms as bitterness flooded her veins.His phone lit up: Eduardo Rodriguez calling again. Four desperate calls already this morning. Overnight, the family estate's
Last Updated : 2025-04-19SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 61
Chapter 61Rose paced her parents' living room, each step calculated to display distress. Tears streaked her makeup, deliberately ruined before her arrival. The afternoon sun highlighted her red eyes and trembling hands as she clutched a disintegrating tissue."I don't know what else to do," she sobbed. "Stefan barely talks to me. He sleeps at his family home every night."Margaret Lewis watched with exhaustion. The past weeks had stripped years from her face, first Camille's death, now Rose's relationship troubles."Maybe he just needs time," Margaret suggested weakly. "The Rodriguez company's collapse is a terrible shock.""Time?" Rose's voice cracked perfectly. "He talks about canceling the wedding, Mom! Everything we've planned!"Richard Lewis sat with newspaper forgotten, expression guarded. Since the scandal photos emerged, he'd grown quieter around Rose."Stefan's lost everything," he said finally. "His company, his estate, his reputation. Perhaps a wedding isn't his priority."
Last Updated : 2025-04-19SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 62
Chapter 62The charity auction for the Children's Medical Research Foundation had transformed the Westmore Hotel's grand ballroom into a glittering showcase of wealth. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light over Manhattan's elite as they mingled with champagne flutes in hand.Camille stood near the silent auction display, maintaining the practiced smile Victoria had taught her. Her midnight blue gown and Alexander's diamond necklace completed the image of Camille Kane, heiress to the Kane fortune. To everyone watching, she appeared perfectly at ease.Inside, her nerves twisted like live wires. The event coordinator had just informed her that Richard and Margaret Lewis had arrived, her parents, though they had no idea their "dead" daughter stood in the same room."Ms. Kane," Rebecca murmured, appearing at her side. "They've been seated at table twelve, directly across from the stage. Would you prefer to move your placement?"Camille sipped champagne, buying seconds to compose herself. "
Last Updated : 2025-04-19SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 63
Chapter 63Camille's point of viewThe morning sun filled my home office, bathing the pristine white furniture in golden light that should have been soothing. Instead, I stared at my tablet screen, my chest so tight I could barely breathe. The headline of the Wall Street Journal's business section screamed at me in bold 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 I stood abruptly, hot liquid splattering across imported marble tiles. I didn't care. The words on the screen burned through my mind, erasing months of careful planning, of systematic destruction, of what should have been complete victory."No," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion I rarely allowed myself anymore. "No, no, NO!"I scrolled through the article, each paragraph feeding the fire growing inside me:*In a sur
Last Updated : 2025-04-19SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 64
Chapter 64Camille's point of viewFor the next three hours, I performed flawlessly. Smiled at the right people. Made appropriate small talk. Donated a generous sum when the fundraising total was announced. No one looking at Camille Kane would have suspected the emotional turmoil beneath her composed exterior.No one except Alexander Pierce, who appeared at my elbow as I waited for my car afterward."You're not as good at hiding your feelings as you think," he said quietly, falling into step beside me."I don't know what you're talking about.""The Rodriguez-Lewis announcement." He studied my profile as we walked. "It wasn't part of your plan."I stopped, turning to face him fully. "How do you always know? What's happening in my life, what I'm feeling, how do you always seem to be one step ahead?"Instead of answering, he offered his arm. "Walk with me. The gardens are beautiful this time of year."Against my better judgment, I accepted, allowing him to guide me along a stone path tha
Last Updated : 2025-04-19SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 65
Chapter 65The breakfast tray sat untouched on Rose's nightstand, fresh fruit and pastries growing stale in the morning air. She hadn't moved from the edge of her bed for nearly an hour, eyes fixed on the television screen where her life was unraveling in high definition."Fashion designer Rose Lewis faces new allegations today," the entertainment reporter said, her expression a mask of professional concern that barely concealed her delight in the scandal. "Former associates have come forward with evidence that Lewis engaged in multiple affairs during her European apprenticeship, including relationships with married industry leaders who later promoted her work."Rose's fingers dug into her silk comforter until her knuckles turned white. This wasn't happening. Not now. Not when everything was finally coming together.The reporter continued, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Most damaging are claims from British fashion executive Jonathan Hayes, who alleges Lewis used their affai
Last Updated : 2025-04-19
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SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 102
Chapter 102Rain streaked down the windows of Herod Preston's penthouse, turning Manhattan's skyline into a blurry watercolor painting. Rose stood at the glass, watching lightning flash between the clouds. Her reflection stared back at her, a ghost of herself caught between the storm outside and the one brewing within.Behind her, Herod ended his phone call and set his cell on the marble counter with a soft click. The sound pulled Rose from her thoughts."Well?" she asked, not turning around."It's confirmed." His voice carried that smooth confidence that had first drawn her to him. "Walsh says construction is proceeding exactly according to our modified plans. He installed the final set of altered circuit boards himself this morning."Rose pressed her palm against the cool glass. "And no one noticed the changes?""No one. Not even the chief engineer." His footsteps approached, slow and measured. "The beauty of our modifications is their subtlety. Each change looks legitimate on its o
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 101
Chapter 101The clock on Camille's office wall ticked past eleven. Most of Kane Industries had emptied hours ago, but Camille couldn't rest, not with Victoria's revelations about Herod Preston still echoing in her mind.A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts."Come in," she called.Hannah Zhao, the Phoenix Grid's chief engineer, entered clutching a stack of rolled blueprints. Her normally neat appearance had frayed, hair escaping its bun, dark circles under her eyes."Ms. Kane, I'm sorry to bother you so late, but..." Hannah hesitated.Camille motioned to the chair across from her desk. "It's fine. What's wrong?"Hannah sat, placing the blueprints between them. "I've been going over these since the groundbreaking ceremony." She unrolled the top sheet. "Something feels... off.""Off how?""After finding those modifications to the safety protocols last week, I started comparing every version of the blueprints."She pointed to a section showing the Grid's main junction box. "This is w
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 100
Chapter 100Victoria's hands shook as she poured herself a drink in her office. The setting sun cast long shadows across the room. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, New York City sparkled, unaware of the storm brewing among its towering buildings."Herod Preston," Victoria whispered the name like a curse, staring into her glass. "After all these years..."Camille had never seen Victoria like this, unsteady, shaken to her core. Since Alexander had revealed Rose's partner at the groundbreaking, Victoria had barely spoken, rushing them back to Kane Industries headquarters with security doubled."You need to tell me everything," Camille said. "Who is he? What does he want?"Victoria drained her glass in one swallow. "Herod Preston is the younger brother of Charles Preston. The man who was engaged to my daughter Sophia before her death."She set her glass down with a sharp click."Charles Preston's family owned Preston Shipping, once a rival to Kane Industries. They were old money, ver
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 99
Chapter 99:Morning sunlight bathed the construction site in golden light as hundreds gathered for the Phoenix Grid groundbreaking ceremony. Camera crews swarmed like bees, jostling for position around the stage erected at the center of what would soon become the most advanced power distribution hub in the country. Massive red banners bearing the Kane Industries logo and the Phoenix Grid emblem fluttered in the spring breeze.Behind the stage, in a temporary structure serving as a preparation area, Camille stared at her reflection in a full-length mirror. Her cream-colored suit was impeccable, her makeup flawless, the perfect corporate image Victoria had taught her to project. Yet beneath this polished exterior, unease churned in her stomach.Hannah Zhao, the chief engineer, poked her head through the doorway. "Five minutes, Ms. Kane."Camille nodded, adjusting the phoenix pin on her lapel. Even after discovering the blueprint discrepancies, Victoria had insisted the ceremony proceed
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 98
Chapter 98Rose stared at the screens covering the wall of Herod Preston's penthouse office. Six displays showed different angles of the Phoenix Grid construction site, live feeds that shouldn't exist. Workers in yellow hard hats moved across the site like ants, unaware of the predatory eyes watching their every move."Your security access is impressive," Rose said, stepping closer to examine a monitor showing the main control center where engineers hunched over computers. "How did you get these feeds?"Herod's mouth curled into the barest hint of a smile. "Money opens doors. Especially when those doors belong to underpaid security guards with gambling debts."He stood beside her, close enough that she could smell his expensive cologne. In the three weeks since they'd begun working together, Rose had grown to appreciate his attention to detail. Unlike the men she'd manipulated before, Herod Preston understood the value of patience. Of precision."And our man?" she asked, tapping a fi
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 97
Chapter 97Rain lashed against the windows of Victoria Kane's office, matching her dark mood. She sat rigid in her leather chair, eyes fixed on the large screen mounted on the wall. The security footage playing before her sent ice through her veins despite the warmth of the room.Martin, her head of security, stood nearby, his face grim as they watched Rose Lewis slip into a side entrance of an upscale restaurant. The timestamp showed 9:43 PM, two days ago."Pause it," Victoria commanded.Martin pressed a button on the remote. The image froze, capturing Rose mid-step, her face partly hidden by large sunglasses despite the late hour. Even in disguise, the hatred Victoria felt for this woman burned in her stomach like acid."Continue."The footage resumed. Rose moved through the restaurant, head down, until she reached a private dining area in the back. A waiter pulled aside a curtain, revealing a booth where someone already waited. The camera angle only showed the back of a man's head,
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 96
Chapter 96The city lights twinkled below Camille's penthouse like fallen stars trapped on earth. She stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows, arms wrapped around herself, watching the tiny cars move through the streets forty floors below. Behind her, Alexander poured two glasses of red wine, the soft gurgle of liquid filling the comfortable silence between them.It had been three days since the press the Phoenix project has issue and they sorted it out. Three days of relative peace. The thought felt strange to Camille, peace was not something she had known since finding those divorce papers twenty five months ago."Your thoughts seem far away," Alexander said, approaching with the wine glasses. His footsteps were quiet on the plush carpet.Camille accepted the glass, her fingers brushing his. That small touch sent warmth spreading up her arm. "Not far. Just... processing everything."Alexander stood beside her at the window. Unlike many men who felt the need to fill silence, he seemed
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 95
Chapter 95Three hours later, Rose gazed out the window of a private dining room in Montreal's most exclusive restaurant. Snow fell gently outside, illuminated by street lamps and café lights. Inside, candles flickered on their table, casting warm shadows across fine linens and crystal."You seem surprised to be enjoying yourself," Herod observed, watching her over the rim of his wine glass.Rose turned from the window. "I am, a little. I haven't thought about anything but revenge for so long. It feels strange to just... exist.""Vengeance is consuming," Herod agreed. "It leaves little room for ordinary pleasures.""Is that why you collect books? To remember there's life beyond revenge?"He considered this. "Perhaps. Though I began collecting long before Victoria Kane entered my life."Rose studied him in the candlelight. Without the hard edges of their planning sessions, Herod Preston revealed different facets, cultured, thoughtful, even charming in his precise way."Tell me about th
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 94
Chapter 94Rose stepped onto the balcony of Herod's penthouse, a glass of champagne catching the golden light of sunset. Below, Manhattan sprawled in all its glittering glory, oblivious to the small victory celebration taking place sixty floors above."To successful beginnings," Herod said, joining her with his own glass. The evening breeze ruffled his dark hair, softening his usually severe appearance."Six percent," Rose replied, satisfaction warming her voice. "Six percent drop in a single day. Millions wiped from Kane Industries' value."Their glasses clinked, crystal meeting crystal with a delicate ring. Rose sipped the expensive champagne, bubbles dancing on her tongue. The taste of revenge was even sweeter than the Dom Pérignon."You should have seen Victoria's face during that press conference," she said, leaning against the railing. "So controlled on the surface, but I know that look in her eyes. She's rattled."Herod studied her, his expression curious. "You enjoy this, don'
