SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan) novel Chapter 211

Chapter 211

The Kane Industries conference room felt warm and comfortable for the first time in weeks. Chinese takeout containers sat open on the polished table, mixed with financial documents and laptop computers. The overhead lights had been dimmed, replaced by the softer glow of desk lamps that made the evening feel less like work and more like friends sharing a meal.

Camille sat at the head of the table, picking at her lo mein while reviewing the latest evidence Hannah and Stefan had uncovered. After days of intense investigation, they had finally allowed themselves to relax slightly, to eat real food instead of surviving on coffee and energy drinks.

"This connection to the Cayman Islands account is brilliant," Camille said, gesturing with her chopsticks toward Hannah's laptop screen. "How did you think to look there?"

Hannah smiled, her face flushed with quiet pride. "Stefan suggested it. He said shell companies always use certain banking patterns in international shipping, and those same patterns might apply to financial fraud."

Stefan felt warmth spread through his chest at Hannah's praise. Over the past three days, their professional partnership had evolved into something deeper. They worked together with an ease that surprised both of them, their different expertise combining to create insights neither could have reached alone.

"The timing of the transfers proves everything," Stefan said, leaning forward to point at a specific document. "Someone stole Meridian's safety funds exactly two weeks before they contacted Victoria about the cost-cutting measures."

As Stefan reached across the table, he placed his hand gently on Hannah's shoulder to steady himself while examining the document she was holding. The gesture was casual, friendly, the kind of unconscious contact that happens between people who have grown comfortable with each other.

Hannah didn't pull away. If anything, she leaned slightly into the touch, her eyes meeting Stefan's for a moment that lasted longer than strictly necessary for discussing financial records.

Camille watched this interaction with a mixture of amusement and approval. After everything Stefan had been through, after the guilt and self-doubt that had consumed him since his betrayal of her marriage, it was good to see him finding connection with someone who appreciated his better qualities.

The conference room door burst open without warning.

Alexander stood in the doorway, his hair disheveled and his expensive shirt wrinkled. His eyes were bloodshot from stress and sleepless nights, and his face carried the haggard look of a man pushed beyond his emotional limits.

"What the hell is this?" Alexander's voice cut through the comfortable atmosphere like a knife.

Camille felt her heart sink. "Alexander? How did you get in here?"

"I still have my access card from the Phoenix Grid project." Alexander's gaze moved between the three of them, focusing with burning intensity on Stefan's hand still resting on Hannah's shoulder. "I came to talk to you about the lies your father told me, but I see you're busy entertaining other men."

Stefan immediately removed his hand from Hannah's shoulder and stood up. "Alexander, calm down. We're working together to—"

"Working together?" Alexander's voice rose to a shout. "Is that what you call it? Moving in on my wife the moment my back is turned?"

"Your wife?" Stefan's own anger began to rise. "You're the one who destroyed your marriage with surveillance and lies. You're the one who chose revenge over love."

Alexander stepped further into the room, his hands clenched into fists. "And you think that gives you the right to swoop in and comfort her? You think you can play the hero again?"

Camille stood up quickly, trying to position herself between the two men. "Alexander, stop. Stefan isn't pursuing me. We're investigating the allegations against Victoria, trying to find the truth about what really happened fifteen years ago."

"The truth?" Alexander laughed bitterly. "The truth is that Stefan Rodriguez will use any excuse to get close to you again. He's manipulating this entire situation to make himself look like your savior."

Hannah rose from her chair, her face pale with confusion and growing alarm. "Mr. Pierce, you're misunderstanding what you saw. Stefan and I were just—"

"You're defending him now?" Alexander's attention turned to Hannah with laser focus. "How long have you been working together? How long has this been going on?"

Stefan moved protectively closer to Hannah, his jaw tightening with anger. "Leave her out of this. Your problem is with me, not with Hannah."

"My problem is with anyone who helps destroy my marriage!" Alexander's voice cracked with pain and rage. "I know what I saw, Stefan. I know what it looks like when a man is trying to seduce a woman."

"You don't know anything," Stefan said, his voice deadly quiet. "You don't know what loyalty looks like, or trust, or putting someone else's happiness above your own revenge."

Alexander's face twisted with fury. "Don't lecture me about loyalty. You're the one who cheated on Camille with her sister. You're the one who destroyed her ability to trust anyone."

"And I've spent every day since then trying to make amends for that betrayal. Unlike you, who's still choosing your vendetta over her wellbeing."

"I'm fighting for justice!"

"You're fighting for revenge based on lies someone fed you." Stefan stepped closer to Alexander, his own anger finally boiling over. "You've been manipulated by whoever wants to destroy Victoria, and you're too blinded by hate to see it."

Alexander's control snapped completely. "I'm tired of listening to your self-righteous..."

His fist connected with Stefan's jaw before anyone could react. The sound of flesh hitting flesh echoed through the conference room like a gunshot.

Stefan staggered backward, his hand flying to his face where a red mark was already beginning to swell. Hannah gasped and moved toward him instinctively, her hands reaching out to check his injury.