SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan) novel Chapter 225

Chapter 225

Alexander walked out of Kane Industries into the cool evening air, feeling cautiously optimistic for the first time in months. The crisis with the Phoenix Grid had been contained, his relationship with Camille was slowly healing, and they finally had solid evidence against James Whitfield. Tomorrow, they would present everything to the FBI and end this nightmare once and for all.

The parking garage beneath the building was nearly empty at this hour, with only a few cars belonging to security staff and late-working employees. Alexander's footsteps echoed off the concrete walls as he walked toward his car, keys already in his hand. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows between the parked vehicles, creating pockets of darkness that seemed deeper than usual.

Alexander was thinking about dinner plans with Camille when he heard the soft sound of footsteps behind him. He turned, expecting to see another employee heading home, but found himself face to face with James Whitfield.

James stood about twenty feet away, no longer hiding behind electronic voice distortion or carefully maintained distance. His expensive suit was wrinkled, his hair disheveled, and his eyes burned with the intensity of someone who had nothing left to lose.

"Hello, Alexander," James said, his natural voice carrying a coldness that made Alexander's blood freeze. "We need to discuss your recent betrayal."

Alexander's hand moved instinctively toward his phone, but James shook his head slowly.

"I wouldn't do that. Not when we have so much to talk about regarding your uncle's memory and your obligations to justice."

"My obligations?" Alexander felt anger flare in his chest, pushing aside his initial fear. "My obligations are to the truth, not to the lies you've been feeding me for months."

James stepped closer, and Alexander could see the rage simmering beneath his controlled exterior. "I gave you everything you needed to destroy Victoria Kane. I provided evidence of her crimes, motivation for your revenge, opportunities to strike at her through her precious daughter. And how do you repay my guidance?"

"I repay it by refusing to be your weapon anymore," Alexander said firmly. "I know who you really are, James Smith. I know your father was a criminal who deserved to be stopped. I know you murdered my uncle when he wanted to confess your manipulation."

James's mask of calm composure cracked slightly at the mention of his real name. "Your uncle was weak. He lost his nerve when he should have stayed focused on making Victoria Kane pay for her crimes."

"Victoria Kane didn't commit any crimes. She reported your father's illegal activities to protect innocent people." Alexander took a step back, creating more distance between them. "You've spent fifteen years seeking revenge against people who did the right thing."

"The right thing?" James laughed, but the sound carried no humor. "The right thing would have been letting my father's business succeed instead of destroying it with false accusations and manufactured evidence."

"The evidence wasn't manufactured. Your father really did use substandard materials. Workers really were injured on his construction sites. Families really were cheated by his fraudulent contracts." Alexander's voice grew stronger with each word. "James, your father was exactly the kind of person who needed to be stopped."

James pulled something from his jacket pocket - a small black device that Alexander didn't recognize. "You sound just like the prosecutors who sent an innocent man to die in prison. All moral certainty and legal technicalities."

"I sound like someone who's learned the difference between justice and revenge," Alexander replied. "James, it's over. We have evidence of your real identity, proof that you manipulated me and killed my uncle. The FBI will be looking for you by tomorrow morning."

"The FBI?" James's smile turned predatory. "Alexander, do you really think I've spent fifteen years planning this campaign without preparing for law enforcement involvement?"

Before Alexander could respond, James pressed a button on the device in his hand. Alexander heard a soft hissing sound and suddenly felt dizzy. The air around him seemed to shimmer, and he realized with growing horror that James had released some kind of gas into the parking garage.

"What did you do?" Alexander demanded, his voice already starting to slur.

"I gave you a choice, Alexander. Work with me to complete your uncle's revenge, or face the consequences of betraying someone who trusted you with sacred justice." James watched with cold satisfaction as Alexander staggered backward. "You chose betrayal. Now you face the consequences."

Alexander's vision began to blur, but he forced himself to stay focused. Whatever James had released wasn't immediately lethal - more like a sedative designed to incapacitate rather than kill. Which meant James had something worse planned than a quick death in a parking garage.

"You won't get away with this," Alexander said, fighting to keep his balance as the world tilted around him. "Camille knows where I am. Security will find us."

"Security won't find anything except your car and some evidence that you've been planning to harm Victoria Kane and her daughter," James replied. "By the time anyone realizes you're missing, you'll be somewhere very different, having a much longer conversation about loyalty and justice."

Alexander felt his knees buckle as the sedative took full effect. But as he fell, his hand managed to activate the emergency alert on his phone - a panic button that would immediately notify Kane Industries security and send his GPS location to law enforcement.

James heard the soft chime from Alexander's phone and cursed under his breath. He moved quickly to Alexander's unconscious form and grabbed the phone, but it was too late. The alert had already been sent.

"Clever," James muttered, looking down at Alexander's still form. "But not clever enough."

James had planned to take Alexander to a secondary location for interrogation and eventual disposal. But the emergency alert changed everything. Security would be here within minutes, and James couldn't afford to be caught with an unconscious victim.