The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 469

The moment Stella saw the two people sitting in the private dining room, her expression froze.

Haynes and Rachel.

Behind her, Lauretta noticed Stella had stopped at the doorway and asked in surprise, “Star, is something wrong?"

Snapping out of it, Stella replied calmly, "It's nothing."

With that, she stepped into the room.

Rachel's face registered clear surprise when she saw Stella walk in.

“Stella? What are you doing here?"

Rachel was certain she hadn't invited Stella tonight. Her invitation had been for Lauretta a renowned pianist, a celebrity alumna from Neo-Vespera University's Hall of Fame, and a fellow Novaris native. They were both alumni and from the same country, which made conversation easy and the invitation all the more natural.

Of course, under normal circumstances, Rachel never would have managed to invite a pianist of Lauretta's caliber, even if they were schoolmates. It was only thanks to Haynes' help that she'd been able to pull it off.

offering an easy smile. "Hello, I'm Lauretta, and this is my close friend, Stella. Forgive me for asking, but

words "close friend." How on earth had Stella befriended someone as distinguished

circle, how could she possibly be friends with a woman from

smooth, deep voice, Haynes explained, "Yes, she's the mother of

Lauretta, who prided herself on her composure, couldn't hide her

past few days, Lauretta had

behind Stella's divorce-the whole messy story. How could. someone as remarkable as have been rejected by her own husband and in-laws, all

this woman must be Haynes' so-called "first

her poise, Lauretta's expression smoothed out, her polite smile never faltering. Rachel, however, felt an odd flutter of

“Mr. O'Brien, may

briefly at

responding, "In

will be holding a concert.

withb

vel

you and

classmates at university, Ms.