The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes's cold, critical gaze landed squarely on Joshua.

"Stella, so this is why you kept hanging up my calls? Because of him?"

Stella's tone was calm, almost indifferent. "Whenever there's a problem, you always look for someone else to blame. Is that the signature style of the O'Brien Group's CEO?"

Haynes's reply was icy. "So, you're saying it's perfectly reasonable to ignore your own child being kidnapped, just so you can go on a date?"

Joshua smiled politely. "I know it's not my place to comment on other people's business, but I've always had a hard time watching injustice go unchallenged. So, if you don't mind, I'd like to clarify something for Ms. Cameron. I'm not her date. She accidentally bumped into me yesterday and offered to take me to a doctor. That's all. Before you start pointing fingers and making accusations, maybe you should try asking what actually happened..."

He paused, then looked Haynes up and down. "Excuse me, sir, are you her husband?"

His explanation was meant to be helpful, but to Haynes, it felt like a slap in the face.

Stella's voice was flat. "Ex-husband."

Joshua's eyes lit up in understanding. "Ah, ex-husband. Well, if you're her ex, maybe you're a little too invested. You're divorced now-who she chooses to see is none of your concern."

Haynes's eyes flashed cold. "Stella, Keen's life is still hanging in the balance. Are you really going to stand here and argue with me?"

Stella fell silent.

She reached for the backseat door, ready to climb in, but Joshua got there first, slipping into the seat with a quick, easy motion.

Stella hesitated for a split second.

Joshua flashed her a warm, good-natured smile. "Thanks."

Stella parted her lips as if to say something, but in the end, held her tongue.

Haynes's jaw clenched, his handsome features clouded by irritation. But with Keen's kidnapping weighing on him, he had no time to waste.

He shot Stella a cold glance. "Sit up front."

Stella didn't want to argue. She closed the back door and slipped into the passenger seat.

Haynes kept his eyes on the road, his expression unreadable. "Seatbelt."

Stella buckled up, and the car shot forward like an arrow.

She was surprised to notice that all of Rachel's belongings were gone from the car. Even the personalized sticker on the passenger side had vanished.

Stella glanced at the empty space, her face betraying no emotion as she looked away.

She finally spoke. "What happened? How did Keen get kidnapped? Do you know who did it?"

Haynes's voice was low and steady. "They were taken about an hour ago. We're still looking into who's behind it. The kidnappers were careful-timed it perfectly, avoided the security cameras. It's going to

take some time to figure out

they are."

Stella's face hardened. "Have they contacted you?"noveldrama

"Not yet."

"Do you have any leads?"

"Nothing so far."

who

The fact that Haynes had discovered

Rachel and Keen were missing

within an hour was impressively

quick Maybe the kidnappers

themselves hadn't even realized how fast things would move.

A worried crease formed between Stella's brows.

If the kidnappers wanted money, that was one thing. But if they were out for revenge...

She forced herself not to think any further-the idea made it hard to breathe.

Haynes glanced at her, noticing the worry etched on her face. For once, his voice softened. "Foreman and I have already sent people out looking. Keen's going to be okay."

Haynes's reassurance snapped Stella out of her daze.

Right. Why hadn't she called for help sooner?

Without another thought, Stella pulled out her phone and called Neville.