Chapter 92

The 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 is always temporary."

Camille observed them, two business titans who had circled each other warily for years, their usual tension softened by their common goal of protecting her.

"I still can't believe my parents did that," Camille said. "After everything, they actually stood up for me."

Victoria studied her. "Have you decided whether to return your mother's call?"

Camille shook her head. The voicemail remained unanswered.

"They took a significant risk," Alexander noted. "Publicly admitting they failed you.Exposing Rose."

"Why now, though?" Camille asked. "After years of choosing Rose, why stand with me when it might cost them everything?"

Victoria sipped thoughtfully. "People rarely change unless the cost of staying the same becomes unbearable."

"Or unless they finally see the truth," Alexander added, his eyes meeting Camille's. "Sometimes we don't recognize what matters until we nearly lose it."

The weight of his gaze made Camille look away, suddenly conscious of the current between them, unspoken but growing stronger. She focused instead on the skyline.

"Either way," she said finally, "it changes nothing about our plans. The Phoenix Grid launches in ten days.We move forward."

Victoria smiled slightly, approval evident. "Spoken like a true Kane."

"The permits came through for the Brooklyn site," Alexander said. "Construction crews begin tomorrow."

"And the Chicago location?" Victoria asked.

"Ready for phase one. The mayor wants to be present for the groundbreaking."

Camille felt excitement flutter beneath her ribs. The Phoenix Grid, her project, her vision, her chance to build something lasting.Clean, sustainable energy flowing through revitalized infrastructure.

"The testing results exceeded expectations," she said proudly. "Efficiency ratings fifteen percent higher than projected. WVe'll revolutionize urban power distribution."

Alexander's hand found hers under the table, a brief squeeze of understanding. He knew what this meant to her, not just business success, but personal transformation. For so long, her focus had been destruction.The Phoenix Grid represented something different. Creation. Legacy.

"The board has authorized the full funding package," Victoria said. "Eight billion for the initial three cities,with conditional approval for phase two."

"And Pierce Industries remains committed to the partnership," Alexander added. "Solar generation, offshore wind integration, and distribution protocols."

Camille felt gratitude toward them both, Victoria who had saved her and given her purpose, Alexander who had seen her potential.

"We're really doing this," she said softly.

"Did you doubt it?" Victoria raised an eyebrow.

"After this week? Maybe. For a moment there, it seemed like Rose might actually win."

Alexander's expression darkened. "She miscalculated. Attacking your mental stability without evidence was desperate."

"And where is Rose now?" Camille asked. "She's gone completely silent since the press conference."

Victoria signaled for coffee. "My sources say she hasn't left that building on Park Avenue. The one owned by that investment group."

"Chris Holdings," Alexander supplied. "A shell company, most likely."

Camille frowned. "You think she's hiding? That doesn't sound like Rose.She never retreats."

"Everyone retreats when they have no choice," Victoria said with certainty. "She's been exposed,humiliated. She's regrouping."

"Or planning something else," Camille murmured.

Alexander squeezed her hand. "If she is, she'll fail again. You have us now."

The waiter arrived with coffee. When he departed, Victoria leaned forward, her expression serious.

"Speaking of Stefan," she began, eyeing Alexander. "That press conference was remarkably well-timed."

Alexander met her gaze steadily. "One might think so."

"Almost as if someone had coordinatedVictoria pressed. "Someone with resources."

Camille looked between them. "What are you saying?"

"I'm wondering if Alexander has been making moves without consulting us," Victoria said coolly.

Alexander didn't flinch. "Would you have approved if I had consulted you?"

"That's not the point."

"It's precisely the point. Sometimes action must precede consensus."

Camille felt the tension returning. "You went to see Stefan. That's where you were when you called me."

Alexander nodded once. "I did."

"Why not tell me?"

"Because you wouldn't have approved either," he said simply."And we needed him. His testimony carried weight because he had no reason to defend you."

Victoria's expression remained neutral, but Camille sensed her disapproval. "Unilateral decisions are dangerous,Alexander."

"So is committee thinking during a crisis," he countered.

Camille raised a hand, stopping their brewing argument. "It worked. That's what matters. But next time, l want to know. Even if you think I'll disapprove."

Something flickered in his eyes, a mixture of apology and deeper emotion. "Fair enough."

Victoria watched this exchange with sharp attention. "Now that Rose has been neutralized,we should discuss security for the launch events."

"Already arranged," Alexander said. "Maximum coverage, minimum visibility."

0

Camille took a sip of coffee, letting the normalcy of project planning wash over her. This was what she wanted, to be defined by what she built, not by what had been taken from her.

"The Phoenix Grid changes everything," she said. "Cities that can't be blacked out. Communities that control their energy destiny. Real sustainability."

Alexander smiled warmly. "That vision is why I wanted to partner with Kane Industries in the first place."

"And now?" Victoria asked, her tone casual but her gaze piercing.

"Now the vision and the person behind it are equally compelling," he replied, not looking away from Camille.

The air between them thickened. Camille felt heat rise in her cheeks.

"The technical achievements will establish Kane Industriesas the leader in next-generation infrastructure,"she said, steering the conversation to safer ground. "The patents will transform the company."

Victoria allowed the deflection, though her knowing smile suggested she wasn't fooled."lndeed.Which is why the launch must be flawless."

"The engineering team has triple-checked everything," Camille assured her. "The system is solid."

"And beautiful in its eleganoAlexander added.

The waiter appeared with chocolate truffles. "Compliments of the chef, in celebration of Ms. Kane's return to public life."

Victoria raised an eyebrow. "Your vindication is already bearing sweet fruits."

Camille picked up a truffle. "Strange how quickly public opinion shifts. Yesterday I was unstable. Today I'm the wronged heroine."

"People love a comeback story," Alexander observed. "Especially one with villains as clear as Rose."

"And what happens when the next crisis hits?" Camille asked. "When someone else questions my stability?"

Victoria leveled her gaze. "You stand firm. You trust what we've built. You remember that you've survived worse."

"And you don't face it alone," Alexander added quietly.

The simplicity of his statement touched something raw in Camille's chest. After years of isolation, the concept of genuine partnership felt almost foreign.

"To not facing it alone," she said, raising her coffee cup.

When the meal ended, they stood at the private elevator. Victoria checked her watch.

"I have a late call with our Tokyo office," she said. "The car will drop me first."

Alexander helped her with her coat. "I can see Camille home."

Victoria's eyes moved between them, calculation evident. "I'm sure you can. Camille, I'l expect you at nine tomorrow for launch preparations."

Just before the elevator doors closed, Victoria fixed Alexander with a pointed look. "Remember what we discussed. Some games have higher stakes than others."

The cryptic warning hung in the air.

Camille turned to him. "What was that about?"

Alexander shook his head slightly. "Victoria being Victoria. Always three moves ahead."

"Of what?"

His eyes met hers. "Of everyone."

The second elevator arrived, and they descended together, awareness building between them.

"Thank you," she said suddenly. "For going to Stefan. For helping when I didn't know you were."

Alexander's expression softened. "I told you, I've been watching over you longer than you know."

"Why?" The question had lurked in her mind since she'd learned how he had tracked her recovery.

"Because from the moment I saw who you truly were, beyond the pain, I recognized something worth protecting. Something extraordinary."

The elevator slowed.

"Victoria worries you'll lose focus," Camille said, understanding. "She thinks this might distract from our plans."

"Victoria worries about everything she can't control," Alexander replied. "Including how people feel."

The doors opened to the lobby. Outside, his car waited.

"Can I take you home?" Alexander asked, his voice low.

The question carried weight beyond the simple words. Camille felt the crossroads, continued focus on Phoenix Grid and revenge, or something she hadn't allowed herself to consider since before Rose destroyed her life.

Connection. Possibility. Perhaps even love.

"Yes," she said finally. "I think it's time we talk. Really talk."

Alexander's smile transformed his face. "I've been waiting to hear you say that."

As they slid into the car, Camille felt something unfamiliar blooming in her chest, not cold determination,not burning rage, but something warmer and more fragile.

Hope.