The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 495

A long, black luxury van waited at the curb.

When the door slid open, Haynes, Rachel, and Keen were already inside.

Keen looked up as Deanna and Callie climbed in, greeting them politely.

"Grandma. Aunt Callie."

Deanna's response was little more than a dismissive nod. Her gaze, however, lingered on Rachel.

Rachel was dressed beautifully that day—a tasteful, elegant dress that made her look delicate and gentle, every bit the picture of grace.

Deanna's brows knitted together. "Why are you bringing her to Mr. Burton's birthday party?"

Haynes's voice was calm. "The invitation I received included Rachel."

Deanna looked genuinely surprised. "They invited her? Since when does the Burton family have ties with her?"

Rachel spoke softly. "Maybe it's because I'm now Mr. Walden's apprentice. Perhaps that's why they asked me to come."

eased a

of the

began to turn over new

from a distinguished family, why settle for Rachel? Rachel was certainly better than Stella, but there were plenty of

the perfect opportunity to meet those

someone like Aurora or Lauretta, but the Burton family still had several eligible daughters. It wouldn't hurt to see if any caught Haynes's eye.

apprentice, she was a catch-if only her family background

Mr.

and nodded. "Yes, my mentor will be

from Rachel and turned to Keen, who

how's school going? Are you keeping up with

his head to

gently asked,

adored children, and Keen was clever and sweet—maybe he'd win Mr. Burton's favor, and they could start building a connection with the

his head, his voice barely

since he'd seen her. Not too long ago,

few times, but recently, she hadn't

had no idea what his mother was doing anymore. He wanted to call her,

school, his mom would be there-hovering, bustling around him, fussing over what he