The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

That night, after Foreman arrived, Jasper wasted no time recounting his run-in

with Stella earlier in the day, embellishing the details as he went, especially when it came to Stella's supposed offense against Karl.

"Stella made such a fuss, but honestly, it was just a scratch. The wound was barely bleeding-she really knows how to put on a show and fish for sympathy.

Please, all that talk about not wanting to get back together with Haynie? She's just angling for him to take revenge on her behalf.

Playing hard to get... She's really something, isn't she?"

In the dim light, Foreman's eyes glimmered ever so slightly.

Haynes was on the phone the whole time, oblivious to the shift in Foreman's expression.

Once he'd finished making arrangements, Haynes ended the call.

Jasper, ever the coward, didn't dare badmouth Stella in front of Haynes, so he abruptly changed the subject.

"Haynie, what did you find out? Did Karl really send people after Stella?"

Haynes's expression was ice cold. "Karl's in the hospital right now. Compound fracture in his hand, apparently."

Jasper let out a low whistle. "Stella said she'd already taught Karl a lesson-looks like she really shattered his hand.

Damn, she's ruthless. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, huh?"

Foreman leaned forward. "Haynie, should we intercept the contracts coming into Karl's companies? Want The Richards Group to help out?"

A cold glint flashed in Haynes's eyes. "Just blocking his business deals? That's letting him off way too easy."

Foreman's gaze sharpened. "So, you're thinking..."

Haynes's handsome face was unreadable. "He comes into my territory and dares

to lay a hand on my people? Someone like that needs a real lesson."

Foreman nodded. "The Burtons really have been out of control lately. Sellers keeps making trouble for Ms. Cameron, trying to push The Wilkinson Group into bankruptcy.

And Karl-he actually tried to destroy Ms. Cameron's hand. With that kind of malice, who knows, maybe next time he'll try to kill someone."

Just hearing Sellers' name seemed to light a fire under Jasper.

"Exactly! The Burtons need to be taken down. Who do they think they are, swaggering around on our turf?"

Foreman lowered his voice. "Haynie, whatever you want to do, I'm with you."

Haynes shot Jasper a look.

Foreman immediately picked up on it. "Jasper, why don't you take Ms. Pearce out for a walk?"

Jasper was dying to know what

Haynes was planning, but one

ence at Haynes's frosty stare was

enough to remind him not to push his luck.

He turned to Rachel, hoping she'd help persuade Haynes to let them stay.

"Rachel, are you feeling alright? If you're not="

Rachel cut him off with a gentle smile. “It's fine, Jasper. Let's go."

Joshua had deliberately leaked this incident to Haynes-he clearly had his

reasons.

Maybe, just maybe, this was exactly the outcome he wanted.

Rachel thought back to what Stella had said not long ago, her heart practically skipping with delight.

It was obvious: right now, Joshua had Stella's full trust.

Stella was even willing to antagonize Haynes for Joshua's sake.

She must be absolutely bewitched by him.

Then again, Rachel couldn't blame her. With Joshua's looks, it was no surprise.

Honestly, Rachel hoped Stella would stay infatuated with Joshua, maybe even end up with him.

With Joshua's temperament, if Stella ever crossed the line, he wouldn't hesitate to get rid of her.

The next morning, as Stella stepped è apartment with Marvim

out of

she enoveldrama

a small figure v

e entrance. Content b

thene

She paused mid-step.

by

"Mom!" Keen's eyes lit up the moment he saw her, and he dashed over eagerly.

Stella frowned slightly. "Keen, did you sneak out again?"

"Nope." Keen looked perfectly as he pointed behind him.

me. He's just over

there." oke