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Chapter 102
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2025-04-26 18:06:14
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SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 103
Chapter 103"Where are we going?" Camille asked, watching unfamiliar scenery pass outside the car window. Trees replaced skyscrapers, suburban neighborhoods gave way to scattered houses with actual yards, nothing like the Manhattan world she'd grown accustomed to.Alexander kept his eyes on the road, his hands steady on the wheel of the vintage Jaguar he'd insisted on driving himself. No drivers today, no security detail, just the two of them, heading somewhere he wouldn't name."You'll see," he said, the hint of mystery in his voice matched by the tension in his jaw.For three days straight, they had worked alongside Hannah and Victoria, checking and rechecking every aspect of the Phoenix Grid for further sabotage. They had found nothing beyond those initial blueprint modifications, but the strain had worn on them all. This morning, Alexander had appeared at Camille's door, asking her to trust him for a few hours.The car slowed as they turned onto a narrow road lined with maple tree
Last Updated : 2025-04-27SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 104
Chapter 104The basement level of Kane Industries glowed with harsh fluorescent light at two in the morning. While most of the building sat dark and empty, the engineering lab hummed with tense activity. Sheets of blueprints covered every surface. Monitors displayed complex circuit diagrams and safety protocols. The air smelled of coffee and stress.Hannah Zhao stood at the center of it all, hair pulled back in a messy bun, dark circles under her eyes. She hadn't gone home in thirty-six hours. Neither had the six engineers she'd personally selected for this shadow team, the only people besides Camille, Alexander, and Victoria who knew about the sabotage of the Phoenix Grid."Li, what's the status on the junction box rewiring?" Hannah asked, not looking up from the circuit board she was examining through a magnifying glass.Li, a thin man with wire-rimmed glasses, didn't pause his typing. "Schematics complete. I've isolated all fourteen tampered triggers and recalibrated them to the co
Last Updated : 2025-04-27SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 105
Chapter 105Victoria Kane sat alone in her office, the glow from her computer screen the only light in the room. Outside her windows, dawn painted the Manhattan skyline in hues of pink and gold, but she hadn't noticed the sunrise. She hadn't moved from her chair in hours.On her screen, financial records filled page after page, stock purchases, company acquisitions, shell corporations nested within shell corporations like Russian dolls. A tangled web of financial transactions that had taken her team of investigators days to unravel.Victoria's mouth tightened as she scrolled through the data. The pattern was unmistakable once you knew what to look for. Small stock purchases, never more than one percent at a time. Different buyer names. Different banks. Different countries. But all ultimately tracing back to one man.Herod Preston.She slammed her hand against the desk, the sharp crack echoing through the empty office. Victoria Kane did not lose control. Not ever. But seeing Herod's na
Last Updated : 2025-04-28SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 106
Chapter 106Water closed over Camille's head. Cold. So cold it burned her skin. She kicked toward the surface, arms flailing, lungs screaming for air. But something held her down, hands gripping her ankles, dragging her deeper into the darkness.She looked down. Rose stared back at her, grinning, her hair floating around her face like seaweed. Beside her, Herod Preston, his eyes flat and lifeless as a shark's. They pulled harder. The pressure in Camille's chest built to unbearable levels.She opened her mouth to scream, but only bubbles escaped as water rushed in ..Camille jolted upright in bed, gasping. Her nightgown stuck to her skin, soaked with sweat. For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was. Then the familiar outlines of her bedroom at the Kane mansion took shape in the darkness.Just a dream. The same dream that had haunted her for months after Rose's betrayal. The one Victoria's training had eventually banished.Until now.Camille switched on the bedside lamp, chasing
Last Updated : 2025-04-28SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 107
Chapter 107The restaurant occupied the entire top floor of a Midtown hotel, overlooking Central Park. Camille arrived fifteen minutes early, a tactic Victoria had taught her, secure the position of power, choose your seat, control the encounter from the first moment.She selected a corner table with her back to the wall, facing both elevators. The host seated her with a professional smile, leaving her alone with her thoughts and a sparkling water she wouldn't drink.Camille smoothed her navy dress, a simple design that concealed the tension in her body. The silver rose pendant Alexander had returned to her hung at her throat, a reminder of who she had been before Rose's betrayal, before Victoria's transformation.Her phone buzzed with a text from Alexander: *Everything okay?*She typed: *They haven't arrived yet.**I'm in the lobby if you need me.*A small smile touched her lips. Alexander hadn't questioned her decision to face her parents alone, but he'd insisted on accompanying her
Last Updated : 2025-04-29SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 108
Chapter 108Stefan Rodriguez waited at the corner table of the dimly lit bar, nursing a drink he didn't want. The place reeked of stale beer and cheap perfume, nothing like the upscale establishments he'd frequented during better days. But that was the point. No one would recognize him here. No reporters lurking in corners, no business associates to witness his fall from grace.No one except the woman who had helped destroy his life.The door swung open, letting in a blast of chill evening air. Rose Lewis stood framed in the doorway, scanning the room with narrowed eyes. When she spotted Stefan, her face hardened into the mask he'd grown too familiar with, beautiful and cold as carved ice.She wore black from head to toe, her outfit probably costing more than most people's monthly rent despite her recent financial troubles. Always keeping up appearances. Always the perfect facade.Rose threaded her way between tables, ignoring the appreciative glances from men seated at the bar. She s
Last Updated : 2025-04-29SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 109
Chapter 109The Kane Industries private meeting room felt too small for the four people inside it. Camille sat at the head of the polished table, Victoria to her right, Alexander to her left. Stefan Rodriguez stood awkwardly near the door, as if unsure whether to step further in or keep his escape route close."Sit, Mr. Rodriguez," Victoria said, her voice cold as winter steel. "You requested this meeting. Let's not waste time."Stefan lowered himself into a chair at the far end of the table. His once-confident posture had vanished, shoulders curving inward like a man carrying an invisible weight."Thank you for seeing me," he said, his voice rougher than Camille remembered. "I know I'm the last person you want to hear from.""Second to last," Victoria corrected. "Your former lover ranks below you."Stefan flinched. "That's why I'm here. I want to help stop Rose. And Preston."Alexander's jaw tightened. His hand moved slightly closer to Camille's on the table. "And why would we need y
Last Updated : 2025-04-29SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 110
Chapter 110The clock on the wall of the control room read 3:17 AM as Camille stood by Hannah Zhao's workstation, watching streams of code flicker across multiple screens. A faint blue glow bathed the room in ethereal light, casting long shadows across the faces of the twelve engineers who had been working without pause for nearly thirty-six hours."It's time," Hannah said, looking up at Camille with red-rimmed eyes that nonetheless sparkled with determination. "The first section of the Grid is ready for activation."Camille nodded, her heart pounding against her ribs. "Everyone in position?"Through her earpiece, Alexander's steady voice confirmed, "Security teams are in place. The suspected saboteur is working on the east junction, thinking he's alone while preparing the final circuits.""And whoever it is has no idea we've replaced everything?" Camille asked Hannah.Hannah's lips curved into a smile that held no humor. "Not unless they actually test the components, which doesn't ap
Last Updated : 2025-04-29
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SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 146
Chapter 146Pain came first. A deep, burning ache in his chest that seemed to pulse with each heartbeat. Then sounds filtered in, the steady beep of machines, the squeak of rubber-soled shoes on linoleum, hushed voices just beyond his reach.Herod Preston opened his eyes.The hospital room swam into focus slowly. White ceiling. Blue curtains. Clear tubes running into his arms. And a man in a dark suit sitting beside his bed, watching him with tired eyes."Mr. Preston," the man said, leaning forward. "I'm Special Agent Morgan with the FBI. Can you hear me?"Herod tried to speak, but his throat felt like sandpaper. A nurse appeared, holding a small cup of water with a straw. He sipped, the cool liquid both painful and soothing as it went down."Yes," he managed finally, his voice a raspy whisper. "I hear you."Agent Morgan nodded to someone Herod couldn't see. A woman stepped into view, also in a dark suit. "Agent Chen," she introduced herself. "You've been unconscious for four days, Mr
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 145
Chapter 145Rose paced the tiny motel room, her expensive boots wearing a path in the cheap carpet. The walls closed in on her, yellow from decades of cigarette smoke, spotted with water stains. How had it come to this? She, Rose Lewis, hiding in this filthy place while her sister lived in luxury.The TV blared the noon news. Rose turned up the volume when she heard the words "Kane Industries.""The annual Phoenix Foundation charity gala will proceed as planned this Friday night, despite recent security concerns," the reporter announced. "Camille Kane released a statement today confirming that the event, which raises funds for the Children's Hospital, will not be postponed."The camera cut to Camille standing at a podium, looking confident and polished. "We refuse to let fear dictate our actions," she said, her voice strong. "The children who benefit from this gala need our support now more than ever."Rose hurled her coffee mug at the TV screen. It shattered, coffee splashing across
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 144
Chapter 144Camille stood at the window of her office, a cup of coffee cooling in her hands as she watched the city below. The Phoenix Grid had fully recovered from the bombings, with the repairs finished ahead of schedule. In two days, Kane Industries would host its annual charity gala, celebrating both the Grid's success and raising money for the children's hospital. Everything was going according to plan.Until Alexander Pierce walked in, his face grim."We need to talk," he said, closing the door behind him.Something in his voice made Camille's stomach tighten. She set down her coffee cup. "What happened?"Alexander loosened his tie, a gesture he only made when upset. "Herod Preston was shot three times in a motel room yesterday. He'd called the FBI to turn himself in, but before they got there, someone tried to kill him.""Rose," Camille said immediately. It wasn't a question.Alexander nodded. "The motel room was registered under her name. She escaped through the bathroom windo
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 143
Chapter 143Rose ran across the motel parking lot, her mind racing faster than her feet. The worn soles of her expensive shoes slapped against cracked asphalt as panic clawed at her chest. Herod was going to tell the FBI everything. Her plan, her revenge, her future, all of it would crumble if he talked.She reached her car, not her car, really, but one of Herod's cars. Her hands shook as she fumbled with the keys. The recorder. The damned recorder he'd shown her. How long had he been recording their conversations? What exactly had she said?Rose stopped, the key halfway to the lock. She couldn't run. Not yet. Not while Herod sat in that motel room with a phone pressed to his ear, her name on his lips, and evidence of her crimes in his pocket.In the distance, sirens wailed. Still far away, but coming closer.Rose looked back at Room 17, its faded blue door visible from where she stood. Behind that door sat the man who could destroy everything she'd built. Everything she'd sacrificed
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 142
Chapter 142The morning news blared from the small TV in their latest hideout, a run-down motel on the outskirts of the city. Herod sat on the edge of the bed, watching his own face flash across the screen. The reporter's voice filled the cramped room."Federal authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Herod Preston, naming him as the primary suspect in the Phoenix Grid bombings. Officials cite overwhelming evidence found in Preston's apartment, including detailed plans and materials matching those used in the attacks."Rose emerged from the bathroom, her wet hair wrapped in a towel. "Turn that off," she snapped. "We already know what they're saying."Herod didn't move. His eyes remained fixed on the screen as the reporter continued."Sources close to the investigation reveal Preston had a long-standing grudge against Victoria Kane, whose company developed the Phoenix Grid. If convicted, Preston faces terrorism charges that could carry multiple life sentences without possibility o
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 141
Chapter 141Victoria Kane stared at the medical report on her desk, the words blurring as her eyes filled with unwanted tears. The cancer had spread faster than expected. Six months, maybe less, was all the time she had left. She pushed the papers away and stood to look out her office window.Her own reflection stared back at her, thinner now, her face pale and drawn from the treatments that weren't working. The doctor had suggested stopping them, focusing instead on comfort measures. "Quality of life over quantity," he'd said gently.Victoria had walked out without answering. Quality wasn't enough. She needed time. Time to secure Camille's future. Time to make sure her daughter by choice would be protected when Victoria was gone.Her assistant's voice came through the intercom. "Mrs. Lewis has arrived."Victoria straightened her jacket, checked her reflection once more, and squared her shoulders. No one, not even Margaret Lewis, would see her weakness today."Send her in."Margaret L
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 140
Chapter 140Herod's phone rang at 3:17 AM. The cheap motel room was dark except for the blue light of his burner phone cutting through the blackness. He squinted at the screen. Unknown number. His finger hovered over the decline button, but something made him answer."Hello?""They found everything." The voice on the other end was hushed, stressed. Derek Martinez, his contact at the FBI. "Your business card in the wreckage. Your fingerprints on the detonator parts. Plans for the bombings in your apartment."Herod sat up, suddenly wide awake. "What plans? I never kept anything in the apartment.""Well, someone did. Blueprints of the substations. Notebooks with blast calculations. A journal talking about your hatred for Victoria Kane.""That's impossible. I never wrote any journal." Herod's mouth went dry. "What else?""Your emails. Detailing everything. The FBI has enough to lock you away forever." Martinez paused. "I'm risking everything telling you this. My career, my freedom.""I ap
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 139
Chapter 139Special Agent Diana Chen ducked under the yellow tape surrounding what remained of Substation 12. The smell of burnt metal and melted plastic filled her nose. Five days after the explosion, the site still smoldered in places. FBI evidence techs in white suits moved through the wreckage, marking and collecting anything that might help identify who had done this."What do we have so far?" her partner, Agent Trent Morgan, asked as he joined her, notebook in hand.Chen pointed to a corner where three techs huddled around something. "They found pieces of the detonator. Military grade, just like at Substation 8.""So we're looking at the same person for both bombings," Morgan said, scribbling in his notebook."It gets better." Chen led him toward a table where collected evidence sat in clear plastic bags. She picked up one containing a twisted piece of metal. "Look at this."Morgan squinted at the bag. "Is that a business card?""What's left of one." Chen nodded. "Fire damaged i
SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes Chapter 138
Chapter 138Rain pounded against the windows of Pierce Tower as Alexander pored over security reports. Three days had passed since the Phoenix Grid attacks, and the constant worry had etched new lines around his eyes. His phone buzzed. Unknown number. He almost ignored it."Pierce.""I need to see you." A male voice, quiet but urgent. "It's about Camille. And Rose."Alexander stiffened. "Who is this?""Stefan Rodriguez."The name sent a surge of anger through Alexander. His grip tightened on the phone. "You have nothing I want to hear.""Please," Stefan's voice cracked. "Rose has contacted people, dangerous people. Camille is in danger."Alexander checked his watch. "The Plaza Hotel. Thirty minutes. Come alone."He ended the call, his thoughts churning. Stefan Rodriguez, the man who had broken Camille's heart, who had chosen Rose over her. His instinct screamed to ignore him. But if there was even a tiny chance Camille was in danger...Alexander made another call. "Double security on
