The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 8

Rachel's voice was light, and her expression was gentle, the picture of an innocent and charming woman. In contrast, she made Stella seem harsh, cold, and distant.

But Stella detected the challenge and mockery hidden in Rachel's words.

She looked up to catch the glint of triumph Rachel hadn't hidden from her eyes.

"Why is it so uncommon for Haynes to come home?" Stella shot back. "It's because you, Ms. Pearce, have taken up all his free time. Are you pretending not to know what's really happening?"

Rachel looked shocked as she grabbed Stella's hand and rushed to explain. "Ms. Cameron, please, that's not what I meant."

But Stella cut her off before she could finish. "If you're not playing dumb, it's just a lack of self-awareness, isn't it?"

Stella withdrew her hand and said, "Ms. Pearce, people who are oblivious to themselves are truly unbearable."

Rachel let out a sudden gasp and

Stella could react, a tall figure stepped in, catching

"Rachel, are you okay?"

person in the world. "Haynes, I'm fine. Ms. Cameron didn't mean it.

he finally noticed Stella standing

his voice turning

something like this had happened. In the past, Stella would rush to say

side, always insisting she should

refused, Haynes would give her the cold shoulder. He wouldn't answer her calls or reply to her messages. He treated her like she was invisible, wouldn't say a word to her, and wouldn't even

isolated. In the end, she would have to lower her

out a bitter laugh. "Why should I listen to you? Who

thinking he heard