SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan) novel Chapter 194

Chapter 194

Alexander stood at the window of his office, watching the morning traffic crawl through Manhattan streets. His phone buzzed constantly on the desk behind him, but he ignored it. Three days had passed since Kane Industries' stock plummeted, and his carefully laid plans were supposed to be bearing fruit by now.

Instead, the numbers on his computer screen told a different story. Kane Industries stock had not only stopped falling, it was climbing back up.

The door to his office opened without a knock. Camille entered, her face glowing with relief and excitement. She practically bounced across the room to reach him, throwing her arms around his neck before he could react.

"We did it, Alex," she breathed against his ear. "We actually did it."

Alexander forced his arms to circle her waist, forced his voice to sound pleased. "Did what?"

"The stock recovered. More than recovered, we're up two points from where we started." Camille pulled back to look at his face, her eyes bright with joy. "Mom and Dad stepped in. Can you believe it?"

Something cold settled in Alexander's stomach. "Your parents?"

"Dad called this morning. He'd been watching the news, saw what was happening to us." Camille's words tumbled over each other in her excitement. "He made some calls to his old friends at Goldman Sachs, arranged emergency funding to stabilize the stock. Then Mom contacted everyone she knows, board members at major corporations, influential investors, people who've known our family for generations."

Alexander's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "That was... generous of them."

"Generous?" Camille laughed, the sound bright as breaking glass. "It was incredible. Within hours, we had billionaire investors publicly backing Kane Industries. The Rothschild family trust bought five million in shares. The Vanderbilt Foundation committed to long-term investment. Dad even got Warren Buffett's people to release a statement of confidence."

The rage building in Alexander's chest felt like a physical thing, hot and expanding, threatening to burst through his carefully maintained mask. Months of planning. Weeks of careful stock manipulation targeting a billion-dollar empire. All undone by Margaret and Richard Lewis and their elite social circle.

"I'm so happy for you," he managed, his voice strained with the effort of appearing supportive.

Camille studied his face, concern replacing her earlier joy. "You don't look happy. Are you feeling okay?"

Alexander cleared his throat, forced his expression to soften. "Just tired. It's been a stressful few days watching Kane Industries under attack."

"I know." Camille reached up to touch his cheek, her fingers warm against his skin. "But it's over now. Kane Industries is stronger than ever. Victoria said we've never had this level of institutional backing before. Billion-dollar companies dream of the kind of investor confidence we have now."

"How exactly did your parents mobilize so quickly?" Alexander asked, keeping his tone casual despite the fury burning in his veins.

"Connections built over decades," Camille said, moving to his desk to show him the financial reports on her tablet. "Dad serves on three Fortune 500 boards. Mom chairs the charity committees for half the wealthy families in America. When they explained what was happening, everyone rallied around us immediately."

She scrolled through the numbers, each figure more devastating to Alexander's plans than the last. "Look at this.... two billion in new investment commitments. The markets are treating us like we're untouchable now."

Alexander stared at the charts and graphs, each green arrow pointing upward like a dagger in his heart. Everything he had worked for, destroyed by two people he had never considered a threat. Camille's parents, who had reconciled with their daughter and now wielded their vast influence on her behalf.

"There's more," Camille continued, her voice growing softer. "Mom and Dad want to have dinner with us tonight. To celebrate, but also to discuss some exciting opportunities. Dad thinks Kane Industries should consider expanding into European markets, and he has contacts who could fast-track the regulatory approvals."

The room felt like it was closing in around Alexander. He loosened his tie, struggling to breathe normally. "Tonight?"

"I know it's short notice, but Alex..." Camille moved closer to him, her eyes shining with happiness. "Having my parents back in my life, working together like this—it feels like everything is finally falling into place."

Family. The word echoed in Alexander's mind, mocking him. While Camille was building bridges with her parents, his uncle remained dead and unavenged. While the Lewis family celebrated their triumph over financial adversity, Richard Pierce's killer walked free, now stronger than ever.

"Of course," Alexander heard himself say. "Whatever makes you happy."

Camille's smile could have lit up the entire city. She kissed him quickly before heading toward the door. "Seven o'clock at Le Bernardin. Dad's flying to Washington tomorrow morning—some congressional committee wants his input on financial regulations—so this might be our only chance this month."

After she left, Alexander stood motionless in his office for several minutes. The silence felt oppressive, broken only by the distant sound of traffic and the steady tick of the antique clock on his bookshelf.

He walked to his desk and pulled out his secure phone, the one Camille knew nothing about. His fingers shook slightly as he typed a message to "Guardian."

*Phase one failed completely. Lewis family intervention too powerful. Kane Industries now has unprecedented institutional backing. Need new strategy immediately.*