The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 471

The moment Haynes spoke, all three women in the room instinctively turned to look at him.

Star.

Haynes almost never used such an intimate nickname for Stella.

Actually, to be precise, he never did.

He always called her by her full name. The closest he'd ever come to familiarity was a clipped "Mrs. O'Brien."

Now, hearing him say "Star," not only the others—even Stella herself-felt a chill run up her spine, goosebumps prickling her arms.

Rachel's smile was already strained, and now it barely held together.

Lauretta, for her part, looked genuinely surprised. Hadn't Star and Haynes gotten divorced? Why was he suddenly calling her so affectionately?

Trying to smooth things over, Lauretta replied, "Star and I were classmates in college."

"College?" Haynes's eyes widened, clearly taken aback. "You... you were classmates in college?"

Lauretta already knew from Abby that Haynes and his circle had always looked down on Stella, constantly making snide remarks about her supposedly only having a middle school education.

She arched a brow, challenging him. "Is there a problem with that?"

reason, Rachel seemed uncharacteristically rattled today. She jumped in, "I heard Ms. Cameron only finished middle school. How could you two have been college classmates? Ms. Chapman, are you sure

"I think I would remember whether or not Star and I were classmates. Don't you, Ms. Pearce? Are you suggesting

off

pressed on, "Ms. Chapman, which college

me here as a special guest. I would've thought you'd at least know a little about me... But it seems you're just interested in my name and

that, Rachel's

continued, “Star and I both went to Neo-Vespera

"We were both inducted into

Hall of Fame?"

expression changed entirely, heret

pitch, incredulous. "That's impossible! How

she

be in the Hall of

still looked as pleasant as ever.

University myself. I never heard of Stella, never even saw

gently. "Tell me, Ms. Pearce-how many Hall of

you actually

Rachel's agitated expression froze.

the

photos

The rest preferred