The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 423

Stella felt her cheeks burn with shame at Mr. Walden's words.

There was nothing she could say to defend herself.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "You're right... All of this is my fault. I gave up too easily, and only then did I realize how wrong I was. Mr. Walden, I promise you-I won't walk away so lightly ever again. Please... would you consider giving me another chance?"

Mr. Walden's expression was unreadable, his tone measured. "Ms. Cameron, I already gave you that chance. You're the one who let it slip through your fingers. This isn't the kind of place where you can just come and go as you please-show up when you feel like it, and turn your back when you don't."

He paused, and Stella's heart clenched. "You gave me a chance?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. "When was that?"

Mr. Walden looked at her with piercing eyes. "Not long ago. I saw something special in you, so I reached out and asked to meet."

He glanced at Haynes, who stood awkwardly nearby.

"Your husband met with me in your place. He told me you were too busy with the O'Briens, and turned down my invitation."

whipped around to face Haynes, disbelief flickering in her

away, unable to

turned Mr. Walden

herself to swallow her anger and turned back to Mr. Walden. "I'm so

hand, silencing her. "I'm old, Ms. Cameron. I don't have the energy I once did. Long ago, I decided I would take on just one

standing quietly by his side. "Rachel here is my final

a gentle smile. "Thank

"Rachel may not have your natural talent, but she loves music with all her heart. She's never stopped working, never let her illness win. Over the years, I've chosen

I once turned away some students who lacked raw talent but worked harder than anyone. Now, they're thriving in their fields-successful, fulfilled. And those I chose for their genius? Most walked away, distracted by marriage or convinced they were too gifted to need real effort. The moment they

in a slow breath. "That's why, with my last student, I decided to do

gaze faded, replaced by a

plead her case,

She understood, painfully, that some opportunities only come once.

exceptional student. Today, something had changed his