SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

Camille's hands shook as she scrolled through her tablet, reading the headlines that had appeared overnight like a nightmare made real. The morning coffee in her cup had gone cold an hour ago, forgotten as crisis after crisis demanded her attention.

"SAFETY CONCERNS PLAGUE KANE INDUSTRIES' PHOENIX GRID PROJECT"

"ANONYMOUS SOURCES REVEAL CORNER-CUTTING IN CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE"

"IS KANE INDUSTRIES HIDING DANGEROUS FLAWS IN THEIR EXPANSION PLANS?"

Each headline was a dagger to the heart, each article more damaging than the last. Someone was feeding the financial press a steady stream of poison, and Kane Industries was dying from a thousand cuts.

Alexander entered their bedroom carrying fresh coffee, his face carefully arranged in an expression of concern and support. "Any updates from the crisis management team?"

Camille looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes. She hadn't slept in thirty-six hours, and exhaustion was written across every line of her face. "It's getting worse. Three more articles went live in the past hour."

She handed him the tablet, watching as he read the latest attack. The Financial Times had published a piece titled "Kane Industries: Built on Questionable Foundations?" that cited unnamed internal sources claiming safety protocols had been ignored during Phoenix Grid construction.

"Anonymous sources," Alexander said, shaking his head with what appeared to be disgust. "Cowards hiding behind reporters while they destroy your reputation."

"The stock opened down another four points," Camille said, her voice barely above a whisper. "At this rate, we'll lose twenty percent of our value by the end of the week."

Alexander sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for her hand. Her fingers were ice cold, trembling with stress and caffeine and fear. "We'll get through this. Kane Industries is stronger than these attacks."

"Is it?" Camille's voice cracked. "Alex, what if they're right? What if there really are safety issues we missed?"

The doubt in her voice was like acid eating away at Alexander's chest. He had started this campaign to destroy Victoria Kane, but watching it tear apart the woman he loved was agony beyond anything he had imagined.

"You know better than that," he said softly. "You've personally overseen every aspect of the Phoenix Grid. Your safety standards exceed federal requirements."

"Then why won't these stories stop?" Camille pulled her hand away, standing abruptly to pace across their bedroom. "Someone is feeding reporters information about our internal processes. Details that only employees would know."

Alexander's pulse quickened. "Have you considered the possibility of corporate espionage? Competitors trying to steal market share?"

"Victoria thinks it's more personal than that." Camille stopped pacing, turning to face him. "She thinks someone with intimate knowledge of Kane Industries is orchestrating these attacks."

The words hit Alexander like physical blows. Victoria's suspicions were growing stronger, more focused. How long before her investigation led her to the truth?

"What does Victoria plan to do?" he asked, keeping his voice neutral.

"Increase internal security. Review all employee access logs. Investigate anyone who might have motive to damage the company." Camille's eyes were haunted. "She's turning Kane Industries into a fortress."

Alexander nodded sympathetically while his mind raced through the implications. Victoria's investigation would eventually uncover his digital footprints, his connections to "Guardian," his late-night visits to Kane Industries buildings. The net was closing around him.

"I should get to the office," Camille said, moving toward their walk-in closet. "The board meeting starts in an hour, and I need to prepare damage control strategies."

Alexander watched her disappear into the closet, listening to the sounds of hangers sliding across rods as she selected another armor of corporate confidence. When she emerged wearing a sharp navy suit, she looked every inch the powerful CEO. But he could see the fear lurking behind her professional mask.

"I'll make some calls," Alexander offered. "Pierce Enterprises has relationships with several financial journalists. Maybe I can provide counter-narratives to balance the negative coverage."

Camille's face lit up with gratitude. "Would you? That would be incredible."

Alexander kissed her forehead, tasting the salt of perspiration from her restless night. "Anything for you. We're partners in everything, remember?"

The lie burned his throat as he spoke it. Partners didn't destroy each other's companies. Partners didn't orchestrate campaigns of character assassination against their spouse's family. Partners didn't wake up each morning planning new ways to inflict maximum damage on the person they claimed to love.

After Camille left for Kane Industries, Alexander retreated to his home office and opened his secure laptop. Three new messages from "Guardian" waited in his encrypted folder, each containing more ammunition for their war against Victoria Kane.