The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 178

"You know what, Rachel?"

Rachel locked eyes with Stella, enunciating each word clearly. "If Ms. Cameron loses, you hand over the Nocturne Stella to me."

Abby's expression changed instantly.

"Rachel, are you addicted to snatching things that aren't yours?"

The Nocturne Stella, like the necklace Rachel wore, was a treasured keepsake from Stella's late mother. But the Nocturne Stella was in a league of its own- priceless, both in value and sentiment.

Rachel was playing her cards well.

If she lost, the necklace would merely return to its rightful owner. But if she won, she'd be getting something for nothing!

Rachel ignored Abby, keeping her gaze fixed on Stella.

"Ms. Cameron, do you dare?"

this many people watching,

cry

glanced at the clock-no time for petty squabbles. She met Rachel's gaze head-on. "Let's

watching the scene unfold, muttered under

at Stella with a sympathetic

settled, then. Oh, and one

she could finish, Rachel interjected, "Ms. Cameron, you wouldn't be thinking of backing out,

into a silent celebration. She could humiliate Stella and claim the Nocturne Stella all in one fell swoop. The prospect was

voice interrupted

not," Stella replied, her eyes drifting to Rachel's dress. "And Ms. Pearce, aren't you going to change out of that

hesitated, surprised by the return to the original issue. Was Stella trying to buy

started, "we're not the same size. This dress is custom- made for me. Even if I gave

you a new dress, likely even better and more beautiful than the one

new one from those options, Ms.

looked at Rachel. "So after all