The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 147

Haynes' face darkened. "Keen, zip it."

Keen flinched and instinctively hid behind Rachel.

Seeing this, Rachel quickly interjected, "Hey, Haynie, Keen's just a kid. Don't be so hard on him. Besides..."

"You've always held Keen to high standards, and he's never let you down. He's top of the class in kindergarten."

"Keen's competitive, sure. He wants to be the best at everything, which is understandable. But Ms. Cameron..."

Rachel glanced at Stella and quietly added, "Having such an exceptional son like Keen should inspire you to better yourself too. As parents, we shouldn't be the ones holding our kids back."

Haynes seemed to mull it over, his dark eyes clouded with thought, and he fell silent.

But Marvin stepped forward and protested, "Stella won't hold anyone back! She's amazing!"

unable to hold back. "She's my mom. Don't you think I'd know if she's amazing

with for the competition, unless you want to end up

finger at Keen, his usual timidness replaced by fire. "Shut up about Stella! You're the one who'll be crying when you realize no one cares about your stupid grades! What's the point of being 'perfect' if you treat your own mom like trash? Newsflash-people don't laugh at losers. They laugh at spoiled

addressing Ms. Cameron. "I know you don't like me checking in on Keen, but Marvin's just a kid. It's not fair to teach him

Cameron wants to take care of Keen herself, I assure you, I won't step

to

Marvin like a puppet, turning him against his own blood—all while accusing her of neglecting

when honed to a razor's edge, could flay a reputation without leaving

Stella, disappointment

have you really stooped to

"Ms. Pearce, could

caught off guard. "W-what

tell Haynes that actually, Haynie, Stella is your

stunned. In

expression was so dark it seemed like it