Lahat ng Kabanata ng SCORNED EX WIFE : Queen Of Ashes: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

Chapter 51Camille turned to face him, found his eyes glinting with something that might have been admiration, might have been challenge, might have been something deeper neither of them was prepared to name."The phoenix only rises through fire, Mr. Pierce," she replied quietly. "And fire is a dangerous element to play with."His smile deepened, genuine amusement replacing careful social masks. "I've never feared burns, Ms. Kane. The most valuable things in life are often forged in flame."Someone called for a photograph. The museum director, sensing promotional gold, encouraged them to stand together. Alexander placed his hand lightly at the small of her back, the gesture both possessive and protective.Flashes erupted around them. Tomorrow these images would appear in every social publication, generating exactly the kind of attention Victoria had warned against. Speculation. Interest. Questions about the relationship between two of the world's most powerful young billionaires."You

Chapter 53Sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Camille's private suite, warming the polished wood floors and catching the fire of diamonds still resting on her dressing table. She hadn't returned the necklace to its velvet box last night, instead leaving it where she could see it when she woke this morning, a physical reminder that the events at the museum hadn't been a dream.Her phone lit up with another notification. The fifth news alert in twenty minutes. She reached for it, already knowing what she'd find. Another article. Another photo. Another round of speculation about her and Alexander Pierce.This one came from the Business Insider: "WALL STREET ABUZZ: KANE-PIERCE CONNECTION SENDS MARKETS SOARING." The photograph showed them standing together beneath the museum chandeliers, Alexander's hand resting lightly at the small of her back, her face turned up toward his with an expression of genuine warmth that looked foreign even to her own eyes.Camille scrolled through t

Chapter 55The morning light poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Alexander's office, turning the polished wood of his desk golden. He stood with his back to the room, hands clasped behind him, watching the city awaken sixty floors below. The view from Pierce Tower offered a perfect vantage point to observe Manhattan without being observed in return, a fitting metaphor for how he preferred to operate in all aspects of life.Behind him, Sarah cleared her throat softly. She had perfected the art of commanding his attention without seeming to demand it."The morning briefing is ready," she said, tablet poised in her hands. At thirty-two, Sarah Matthews maintained the efficiency that had made her invaluable to Alexander's rise. Brown streaked her dark hair, but her mind remained razor-sharp, her loyalty unquestioned.Alexander turned from the window. "Begin with the market response.""Pierce Technologies stock opened at a record high this morning. Up twelve percent since yesterd

Chapter 57Camille's point of view The afternoon sun warmed my office, casting golden light across the polished mahogany of my desk. I twirled the small blue velvet box between my fingers, savoring the moment before opening it. Alexander's security chief had delivered it personally twenty minutes ago, his professional demeanor never slipping as he handed over both the box and a sealed envelope."Mr. Pierce sends his regards, Ms. Kane," was all he'd said before departing.Now, alone with this unexpected gift, I found myself hesitating. The diamond necklace still rested in my personal safe upstairs, Victoria had reluctantly agreed to delay its return after our PR team's insistence that the publicity was benefiting Kane Industries. This new offering suggested Alexander had no intention of letting our connection fade quietly away.I opened the envelope first, sliding a finger beneath the seal. The handwritten note inside showed strong, confident strokes, Alexander hadn't delegated this t

Chapter 59Camille's point of view "They rejected our offer."Rebecca's words hung in the air between us, impossible, unthinkable. The folder in her hands contained the formal response from Rodriguez Shipping, a single page declining our "generous proposal" with diplomatic language that barely masked the defiance beneath."That's not possible," I said, my voice too quiet even to my own ears. "They're broke. Desperate. Days from complete collapse.""Mr. Rodriguez was quite firm." Rebecca set the folder on my desk, her expression professionally neutral despite delivering news she knew would infuriate me. "Their lead negotiator said the family would rather see the company fail entirely than sell its legacy routes to Kane Industries at thirty cents on the dollar."Heat rose from my chest to my throat, a burning tide of rage I hadn't felt since the night Stefan had handed me divorce papers on our anniversary. Since the night Rose had smirked at my pain while pretending concern. Since the