The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella stared in surprise at the anger etched across Foreman's face. Her voice was soft as she said, "Foreman, thank you, but I've already dealt with him."

Foreman seemed to realize he'd lost his composure and quickly tried to explain himself. "You've got a concert coming up, and you're still in the middle of the competition. If anything were to happen now, it could affect your performance.”

Hearing this, Stella's expression grew more serious.

Anything could happen on stage—she wasn't arrogant enough to believe she could dismiss everyone else with an injured hand.

Karl's intentions were truly malicious.

"I never imagined he'd be so brazen," she said. "To come after me so openly, to hurt and threaten people right at my door. Honestly, it's my fault for underestimating how little restraint they have."

Even someone as reckless as Jasper wouldn't have the nerve to storm in with a gang, let alone start a fight.

Foreman didn't bring up revenge again. Instead, he asked, "Star, do you want me to assign a couple of bodyguards to you? The Burtons have no scruples. Who knows what they'll try next?"

Stella managed a small smile. "Thank you, Foreman, but that won't be necessary. Neville's already arranged for someone to keep an eye on me."

For the briefest moment, Foreman's expression tightened, but he quickly recovered his usual composure.

"All right. But if you run into any trouble, you know you can always call me."

Stella nodded.

Just then, Joshua came in, carrying a small bag of medication.

"Ms. Cameron, if you're feeling up to it, we can head out now."

As he stepped into the room, Joshua spotted Foreman and hesitated for a moment, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.

He smiled politely. "What a coincidence-didn't expect to run into you here, Mr. Richards."

Stella explained, "Foreman came by my studio and saw the ambulance. He thought something might have happened to me, so he followed it here."

"Oh, I see..." Joshua's smile was meaningful, almost teasing. "Mr. Richards, you certainly have good timing, but I'd say you were still a little late."

Foreman's face darkened for just a second before he replied, You're ight was too late, and Star got

hurt because of it."

Stella interjected, "Joshua, don't say that. Foreman's helped me a lot-none of this was his fault."

Joshua gave a quick, easy grin. "Just joking. If you want to blame someone, blame Karl."

He recounted what happened, glossing over the details with practiced calm.

།

The more Foreman listened, the colder his gaze became. By the end, he couldn't even maintain his usual polite smile. He lowered his eyes, his thoughts unreadable

"Star, if you're heading home, I'll take my leave as well."

Stella assumed Foreman had other things to attend to and didn't try to stop him.

"Of course, if you're busy, go ahead."

After Foreman left, Stella and Joshua made their own way out.

Once they were in the car, Stella realized she hadn't properly thanked Joshua for stepping in.

"Joshua, thank you for today. If you hadn't shown up when you did, I might have really gotten hurt."

Joshua shrugged it off. "I'm your assistant, Ms. Cameron. You pay me to have your back—this is just part of the job."

"But how did you know to come upstairs?" Stella asked.

"I noticed a couple of unfamiliar carsnoveldrama

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parked outside," Joshua replied. "Didn't look right, so I figured & check it out

Still, Stella didn't take his help for granted. "Either way, I owe you. Thank you."

After a moment's thought, she pulled out her phone and sent Joshua a generous bonus.

"This is for you—a little thank you."

Joshua shook his head. "I hardly spend any money as it is. You really don't have to."

But Stella insisted, "A promise is a promise."