The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 77

Jasper smirked with smugness. "Dealing with someone like Stella, who's got no steady income, is a piece of cake."

"Haynie, let's leave Stella in the cold for a few days. Then, I'll figure out a few tricks to make her come crawling back."

Haynes ignored Jasper and turned his attention to Rachel instead. "Rachel, you fell down the stairs accidentally. Why didn't you tell us?"

A flicker of panic crossed Rachel's eyes. Haynes wasn't as easy to fool as Jasper and Keen. He had a knack for seeing through people's facades.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at Haynes. "I thought Ms. Cameron was coming to apologize to Keen and you, so I wanted to take her to see you guys..."

"I might have gotten too eager and reached out to Ms. Cameron. I'm unsure if she shook me off or if I lost my footing and fell..."

Jasper interjected, "Haynie, Rachel was trying to help. The video shows Rachel trying to bring Stella to you guys. And Rachel never said it was Stella's fault."

even said it was Stella. Who would doubt that? Besides, Stella's always

it was going, Keen lowered his head. "Dad,

to make mistakes. If you need to blame someone, blame me. I

pleadingly. "Haynie, I've been punished enough. Please don't

the blame upon herself, feeling

What he didn't realize was that Rachel had skillfully redirected the blame onto him, neatly stepping away from

this isn't your fault. You wouldn't have fallen if you hadn't been trying to catch up to

finished speaking, Haynes' phone

batch. Mom's been in bed all day

Stella got

headaches forever. No doctor seems to help. A few years ago, Stella brought her some medication that seemed to do the

it's been working wonders. Stella's been delivering it

she's three