The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 22

Suddenly, Rachel's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling, "Ms. Cameron, you don't need to remind me. I know I don't have much time left."

"Ms. Cameron, you're right. What Haynes gave me is all a sham. I'm sorry. That wedding should have been yours..."

Before she could finish, a furious shout echoed from behind Stella. "What do you mean God favors Rachel? Stella, who are you cursing?"

Stella turned around to see three figures standing not far away.

Jasper surged forward, his features contorted by a rage that seemed to ripple the air between them. "Stella," he spat, each syllable a dagger, "how dare you drag Rachel's name through the mud? Have you lost your mind?"

Beside him, Foreman Richards arched a brow, his calm a deliberate counterpoint to Jasper's storm. "Easy, Jasper," he interjected, his voice a steadying hand. "Condemnation without evidence is its own kind of madness."

But Jasper, clearly still furious, cut him off. "What misunderstanding could there be? You and Haynie heard her loud and clear! She's jealous of Rachel's popularity and says God favors Rachel as if wishing her dead!"

woman puts on an innocent act before everyone and bullies Rachel behind their backs. If we hadn't overheard, who knows

"Caught you red-handed this time, didn't

guilt or panic. She had suspected from the moment Rachel's demeanor changed that they might not be

there it was, Rachel

sheathed in velvet, "Stella remains Haynes'

his steps faltering. He turned to Haynes, "Haynie, you heard it, too. You can't let her get away with treating

pressed into a thin line, an icy

glee, "Haynie's pissed, and that's bad news for you.

taunting, Stella remained silent,

an eyebrow, a bit stunned. Was

would have been quick to justify herself. But today, she hadn't even tried. Her demeanor

as he looked at Stella's indifferent face. He couldn't

told him that Stella had come there