SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan) novel Chapter 193

Chapter 193

The morning sun cast sharp shadows across the Kane Industries boardroom as Camille paced behind her chair, her phone pressed against her ear. Alexander watched from the doorway, studying the tension in her shoulders, the way her free hand clenched and unclenched at her side. Three percent. Such a small number to cause such devastation.

"No, that's not acceptable," Camille snapped into the phone. "We need that press release out within the hour, not by end of day."

Victoria sat at the head of the massive conference table, her face pale but composed. Charts and graphs covered the polished surface before her, all showing the same ugly truth, Kane Industries stock had plummeted overnight, wiping out millions in market value.

Alexander stepped into the room, his expression carefully crafted to show concern and support. Inside, satisfaction burned like a flame he couldn't extinguish.

"How bad is it?" he asked, knowing the answer already.

"Bad." Camille ended her call and turned to face him, dark circles under her eyes telling the story of a sleepless night. "Three percent drop in twelve hours. The trading floor is calling it a bloodbath."

Victoria's voice cut through the morning air like ice. "Someone is spreading lies about our acquisition history. Targeting our credibility at the worst possible time."

Alexander moved to Camille's side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. Her body was rigid with stress, muscles tight beneath his palm. "What kind of lies?"

"Anonymous sources claiming we used 'questionable tactics' during hostile takeovers fifteen years ago," Camille said, her voice shaking with anger. "Investors are spooked. They're questioning whether the Phoenix Grid expansion is built on the same foundation."

The irony cut through Alexander like a knife. If only she knew how right those anonymous sources were. If only she understood that her husband was the architect of her company's destruction.

"That's ridiculous," Alexander said, his tone perfectly pitched between outrage and support. "Your acquisition record is spotless. Anyone can see that."

Victoria's eyes met his across the table. For a moment, Alexander saw something flicker in her gaze, suspicion, calculation, fear. Did she suspect him? Or was she simply a woman watching her life's work crumble and grasping for explanations?

"The timing is too convenient," Victoria said slowly. "Right after the Phoenix Grid announcement. Right when we're most vulnerable to market manipulation."

"You think this is intentional?" Alexander asked, keeping his voice neutral even as his pulse quickened.

"I know it is," Victoria replied, her fingers drumming against the table. "The question is who benefits from our stock dropping."

Camille sank into her chair, running both hands through her hair. "Does it matter? The damage is done. Investors are pulling out, questioning our leadership, demanding answers we can't give."

Alexander sat beside his wife, reaching for her hand. Her fingers were cold, trembling slightly. The sight of her distress should have brought him joy, Victoria's empire falling meant justice for his uncle. But watching Camille suffer sent unexpected pain through his chest.

"We'll fix this," he said, squeezing her hand. "Both of us. Pierce Enterprises stands behind Kane Industries completely."

"You'd risk your own company's reputation?" Victoria asked, her voice sharp with surprise.

Alexander met her gaze steadily. "Camille is my wife. Her success is my success. Pierce Enterprises has complete confidence in Kane Industries' integrity."

The lie flowed from his lips as smooth as honey. Every word was calculated to deepen their trust in him, to position himself as their closest ally even as he orchestrated their downfall.

Camille's eyes filled with tears she refused to let fall. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

The words hit Alexander like physical blows. Camille trusted him completely, loved him without reservation, believed in their partnership both personal and professional. And he was betraying that trust with every breath.

Victoria's assistant knocked on the boardroom door, entering with a tablet clutched in her hands. "The financial networks are picking up the story," she announced, her voice tight with worry. "CNBC is running a segment on 'Kane Industries: Built on Questionable Foundations?'"

"Christ," Camille breathed, burying her face in her hands.

Alexander stood quickly, his mind already working. "What if we get ahead of this? Call a press conference, address the rumors directly?"

"And say what?" Victoria's voice was bitter. "That anonymous accusations are false? That looks defensive."

"Then we go on offense," Alexander continued, his tone growing more confident. "We don't just deny the rumors, we provide complete transparency. Open your books. Invite independent auditors to review every acquisition from the past twenty years. Show the world that Kane Industries has nothing to hide."

Camille looked up at him with something approaching awe. "That's brilliant. Complete transparency would eliminate any credibility these rumors have."