Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Camille’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 coincidence.”
“No,” Alexander agreed, his voice tight. “It’s coordinated. The same story appeared simultaneously on four- different financial platforms. Our stock dropped the moment markets opened.”
Camille glanced at the wall of glass. Engineers huddled nearby, faces worried, stealing glances toward her.
“Get Hannah Zhao on this immediately,” she ordered. “I want a comprehensive safety report ready by this afternoon–something clear enough for the media to understand.”
“Already happening.” Alexander assured her. “Victoria’s called an emergency press conference for two o’clock.” Camille checked her watch: 10:17 AM. Less than four hours to contain a crisis.
“I’ll be there,” she said. “I need to finish with the engineering team first.”
“Camille,” Alexander’s voice softened. “This will pass. The Phoenix Grid is sound. We both know that.”
She ended the call, took a deep breath, and opened the door to call back the engineers. Their anxious–faces told her rumors had already spread,
“I assume you’ve all heard,” she said directly. “Let me be clear: The Phoenix Grid design is sound. These allegations are baseless. But we will address them with facts, not defensiveness.”
Hannah Zhao, the lead engineer, stepped forward. “The distribution nodes have been tested far beyond normal parameters. They simply cannot cause fires as described.”
“Someone fabricated concerns,” Camille agreed. “Our job now is to prove it. Hannah, I need your team to prepare a comprehensive safety assessment. Every test, every safety margin, every redundancy. Two o’clock deadline.”
As the team dispersed, Hannah lingered behind.
“Ms. Kane,” she said quietly, “these allegations contain technical details that only someone with inside knowledge could know.”
The implication hung in the air. A leak. A betrayal from within.
“I’m aware,” Camille replied. “Let’s focus on the facts first. We’ll deal with how this happened afterward.”
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Two floors below, Victoria Kane stood in her office, watching financial news coverage. The ticker showed Kane Industries down 11.3%. She held her phone to her ear.
“Find out who’s behind this,” she ordered. “Check trading patterns. Someone is profiting from this drop.” She ended the call as her assistant entered with printouts of every article mentioning the allegations.
“The technical team is preparing a detailed response,” the assistant reported. “And Mr. Pierce is on his way.” Victoria scanned the articles. Something in the phrasing caught her attention, targeting not just the technology but subtly undermining Camille’s judgment.
Her eyes narrowed. This had Rose’s fingerprints all over it. But Rose had been in hiding since the press conference disaster. This attack was too well–orchestrated for Rose alone.
She had help. Significant help.
When Alexander arrived, Victoria didn’t bother with greetings.
“This is a coordinated attack,” she said, handing him the most damaging article. “Look at the technical specifics, someone with engineering knowledge helped prepare this.
Alexander scanned the document. “The details are close enough to our actual specs to sound legitimate, but with key differences,”
“Suggesting?”
“Someone with partial knowledge,” he concluded. “Not current blueprints, but perhaps earlier versions.” Victoria moved to the window. “I want every former employee with technical knowledge investigated. Every contractor, every consultant.”
“Already underway,” Alexander assured her. “Security is also checking for digital breaches.”
“And Rose?” Victoria turned back. “What’s she been doing since the press conference?”
Alexander shook his head. “Gone dark. No credit card usage no phone activity. She’s effectively disappeared.” “Nobody disappears that completely without help,” Victoria observed. “Someone is sheltering her, funding her.” “The question is who,” Alexander agreed. “And why target the Phoenix Grid specifically?”
Victoria’s expression hardened. “Because it’s Camille’s project. Her vision. Her redemption. Attacking it is personal.”
The Kane Industries press room buzzed with media activity Television cameras lined the back wall as reporters filled every seat.
Camille stood backstage, reviewing her notes. Victoria beside her, both women dressed in nearly identical charcoal suits, a united front.
“Remember,” Victoria said quietly, “no defensiveness. No anger. Just facts, confidence, and absolute —
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Chapter 93
our technology.”
Alexander appeared, tablet in hand. “Hannah’s report is really, Comprehensive, clear, and irrefutable.”
“Who leaked the specifications?” Camille asked, keeping her voice low.
Alexander shook his head. “Not yet. But the technical details weren’t entirely accurate, close enough to seem legitimate, but with key differences.”
“Meaning?
“Someone with partial knowledge,” he clarified. “Not a current insider with full access.”
Camille’s mind immediately went to Rose. “It’s her. Rose is behind this.”
Victoria’s expression remained neutral. “Focus on the present crisis. We’ll deal with the source later.”
The lights seemed unnaturally bright as Camille approached the podium, Victoria and Alexander flanking her. “Good afternoon,” Camille began, her voice clear and strong. “I’m here to address rumors regarding the Phoenix Grid technology. These allegations are categorically false, based on misunderstood or deliberately manipulated information.”
She gestured to the screen showing Hannah’s safety report in simplified graphic form.
“The Phoenix Grid distribution nodes have been tested at three times maximum operational temperature without any safety concerns. The fire risk described is technically impossible given our design specifications.”
A reporter called out: “Why would whistleblowers make these claims if there’s no substance?”
Camille met his gaze directly. “We’ve found no evidence these ‘whistleblowers‘ exist. These rumours appeared simultaneously across multiple platforms, a coordinated attack, not a genuine safety concern.”
“Are you suggesting corporate sabotage?” another reporter asked.
“I’m stating facts,” Camille replied coolly. “The Phoenix God has undergone rigorous testing by independent Jaboratories. Those results are publicly available.”
She continued dismantling the allegations point by point. When technical questions arose, Hannah Zhao offered precise explanations that reassured without overwhelming the audience.
By the time the press conference ended, the stock had stabilized, regaining two percentage points.
As they exited, Alexander showed Camille his tablet, social media sentiment shifting as technical experts confirmed their safety claims.
“Crisie–contained,” he said, relief evident.
“For now,” Camille replied, unable to shake her unease. “This was too well–planned to be a one–time attack.” Alexander nodded. “I’ve assigned a team to trace the source If there’s a connection to Rose, we’ll find it.” “She’s behind this,” Camille insisted as they walked toward the elevator. “I can feel it.“–
“Even if she is,” Victoria interjected, “Rose lacks the resources and technical knowledge to execute something this sophisticated alone.”
The elevator doors closed, sealing the three of them in privacy.
“Then she has help,” Camille said, frustration edging her voice. “Someone with money, influence, and a grudge against Kane Industries.”
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Chapter 93
“That describes half of Wall Street,” Victoria replied dryly.
Alexander’s phone buzzed. He checked it, his expression turning grim. “Security reports unusual access attempts on our engineering servers last night. Nothing breached, but someone was probing for weaknesses.”
Camille felt cold certainty settle in her stomach. “This is just the beginning, isn’t it?”
Neither Victoria nor Alexander contradicted her.
That evening, Victoria called Camille and Alexander to her private office. The large circular room, with its panoramic views of Manhattan, felt like a war room.
“The final damage report,” Victoria began, sliding tablets across her desk. “Stock closed down six percent. Four institutional investors have expressed ‘concerns‘ about the Phoenix Grid. Two regulators have requested additional safety documentation.”
Alexander reviewed the information. “Better than we feared, worse than we hoped.”
“The press conference helped,” Victoria acknowledged. “But doubt has been planted.”
Camille scrolled through the reports. “Has security made any progress identifying the source?”
“Nothing concrete,” Victoria admitted. “But the timing is too perfect to be coincidence. Three days before groundbreaking, just as final preparations are underway.”
“Someone knows our schedule intimately,” Alexander added. “Someone with access to internal planning.” “We need to investigate everyone with access to the Phoenix Grid specifications,” Camille said. “Current employees, former employees, contractors, suppliers.”
“Already in progress,” Victoria assured her. “But this feels personal, Camille. Targeted specifically at your project.
“Rose,” Camille said, the name like acid on her tongue. “She’s been silent too long. This is exactly her style, wait until I feel secure, then strike where it hurts most.”
Alexander leaned forward. “Rose lacks the technical expertise to understand the Phoenix Grid specifications.” “She doesn’t need to understand them,” Camille countered “She just needs to find someone who does.” Victoria’s expression remained thoughtful. “The question is how she’s executing it, and who’s helping her.” Alexander stood. “We should consider postponing the groundbreaking ceremonies.”
“No,” Camille said firmly. “That’s exactly what they want. If we delay, it only validates the rumors.”
Victoria studied her, approval flickering in her eyes. “Agreed. We proceed as planned, but with enhanced security.”
“I want to find Rose,” Camille said suddenly. “Look her in the eye, see what she’s planning.”
“Too risky,” Victoria responded immediately. “Drawing her out now could accelerate whatever she’s planning ” “Or disrupt it,” Camille argued. “Rose has always been reactive. If she sees me unafraid, it might force her to make a mistake.”
Alexander returned to the table. “If we could locate Rose, aproaching her would need to be handled carefully.” Victoria’s eyes narrowed. “You’re considering this.”
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Chapter 93
“I’m considering all options,” he corrected. “Including that drawing Rose into the open might reveal who’s backing her.”
Camille felt a surge of gratitude toward Alexander. “We know Rose. She can’t resist gloating. If I confront her directly, she’ll reveal something, even unintentionally.”
Victoria remained unconvinced. “And if it’s a trap? If she wants you to find her?”
“Then we set a counter–trap,” Camille replied. “But sitting here waiting for the next attack isn’t working.”
The three fell silent, each weighing the risks. Outside, darkness had fallen over the city.
“Find her,” Victoria said finally. “But do not approach without a full security plan. And Alexander goes with you.” Camille nodded, accepting the conditions.
“Now,” Victoria continued, “the Phoenix Grid groundbreaking proceeds in three days. I want hourly security checks at all sites, background rechecks on all personnel, and additional testing on every component.”
“Already implemented,” Alexander assured her. “Nothing will go wrong at the ceremony.”
“See that it doesn’t,” Victoria replied, her tone leaving no room for failure. “The Phoenix Grid represents more “Seet than just a business venture. It’s Camille’s statement to the world, that she builds rather than destroys.”
Camille felt the weight of Victoria’s words. The Phoenix Grid wasn’t just about energy distribution, it was about her transformation.
“We’ll find who’s behind this,” she promised. “And we’ll stop them.”
Alexander reached for her hand under the table, a small gesture of support invisible to Victoria. “Together,” he added quietly.
Camille squeezed his hand in response, drawing strength from his presence. Rose might have help, resources, planning, but Camille had something stronger.
She had truth on her side. And she would not be defeated again.
“Let’s get to work,” she said, rising from her chair. “We have a groundbreaking to prepare for, and a sister to find.
Victoria nodded, her expression warming slightly as she watched her protégé. “Tomorrow morning, eight o’clock. Full team briefing.”
As Camille and Alexander left Victoria’s office, uncertainty still hung in the air. But something else was there too, a renewed sense of purpose, of unity in the face of this invisible threat.
Whatever came next, they would face it together.
