Chapter 90Camille sat frozen in Victoria's private office, eyes fixed on the television. Alexander paced behind her chair while Victoria stood near the window. The screen showed the Plaza Hotel ballroom converted into a press area, camera flashes pulsing across the room."Are you sure you want to watch this?" Alexander asked, touching Camille's shoulder.Camille nodded, unable to speak, her throat tight and hands cold."They might still side with Rose," Victoria warned. "Be prepared."The camera shifted to show Margaret and Richard Lewis entering. Camille sucked in a breath. Her parents looked older than she remembered, her father's shoulders stooped, her mother's face drawn. Behind them, unexpectedly, came Stefan Rodriguez."What is he doing there?" Camille whispered."Alexander's handiwork, I suspect," Victoria replied.Richard adjusted the microphone, his hand trembling slightly. "Thank you all for coming. My wife and I have called this press conference to address the disturbing a
Chapter 91The crystal vase shattered against the wall, water and roses exploding across the cream-colored paint. Rose grabbed the next item within reach, a heavy silver photo frame and hurled it at the television where her parents' faces still filled the screen."Liars!" she screamed, her voice raw. "Filthy, worthless liars!"The frame cracked the television screen, splitting her father's image in two before the picture went black.Rose stood in the middle of Herod's penthouse living room, chest heaving, hair wild around her face. The elegant space lay in ruins around her, furniture overturned, glass broken, papers scattered across the floor. Her hands trembled with rage as she searched for something else to destroy."Fourteen years!" She kicked over a side table, sending a lamp crashing to the floor. "Fourteen years playing the perfect daughter! The supportive sister! And they throw it away for her?"She grabbed a leather-bound book and tore it in half, pages fluttering around her l
Chapter 92The private dining room at Per Se glowed with amber light, Manhattan's skyline twinkling beyond floor-to-ceiling windows. Camille swirled her wine, watching the deep red liquid catch the light. The remnants of their nine-course meal and two bottles of Bordeaux scattered across the table."To resurrection," Victoria said, raising her glass, platinum hair shimmering in the candlelight."To truth," Alexander added from beside Camille."To unexpected allies," Camille said, joining the toast with a delicate clink of crystal, thinking of her parents and Stefan defending her when she least expected it.After days of crisis management, simply sitting and breathing felt like luxury."The board has officially reversed their position," Victoria said. "The emergency meeting lasted ten minutes. Gordon couldn't backpedal fast enough."Alexander smiled. "Amazing how quickly principles dissolve when stock prices recover.""They never had principles," Victoria replied. "Just fear. And fear
Chapter 93Camille's phone buzzed against the boardroom table, its vibration cutting through her presentation. She glanced at the screen and felt her stomach drop."Excuse me," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "Let's take a five-minute break."As the engineering team filed out, Camille opened the alert.*BREAKING: Kane Industries (KI) down 8.7% on rumors of Phoenix Grid safety concerns*She scrolled quickly to a financial blog post: "SOURCES CLAIM PHOENIX GRID POSES UNPRECEDENTED FIRE RISK."The article cited "anonymous whistleblowers inside Kane Engineering" who allegedly provided documents showing the power distribution nodes could overheat under certain conditions. The claims were vague but specific enough to sound credible.Camille called Victoria. No answer. She tried Alexander next."I've seen it," he said immediately. "PR is already crafting a response.""Who would do this?" Camille demanded, pacing the empty boardroom. "Three days before groundbreaking? This isn't c
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'
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
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
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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