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

gave Rachel a bemused look. "I think I would remember whether or not Star and I were classmates. Don't you, Ms. Pearce? Are you suggesting I don't know my

caught off guard and

which college did you

would've thought you'd at least know a little

Rachel's

continued, “Star and I both went

sidelong glance. "We were both inducted into the Hall of Fame there. That's actually where we

of

expression changed entirely, heret

incredulous. "That's

she

in the Hall of

as ever. "And why couldn't

to Neo-Vespera University myself. I

me, Ms. Pearce-how many Hall of Fame

you actually met in

Rachel's agitated expression froze.

only about half the Hall of Fame members

their photos or

faces. The rest