The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 497

Some people might prefer a carefree life, like Stella's. But she was nothing like Stella.

She was a woman with ambition, with desires that went beyond day-to-day comforts. She refused to drift through life without leaving her mark. That was why, whatever Skyler asked of her, she made sure to do it to perfection.

On the surface, men and women seemed to stand on equal footing these days, but the truth was, inequality lurked everywhere. As a woman stepping into the Williams Group, dealing with those powerful family patriarchs, she knew she'd be underestimated, dismissed before she'd even spoken. Connecting with the wives and daughters of those families, on the other hand, would be far easier-doors opened more readily in those circles.

She'd heard stories: back when her father lost his memory and no one was left to run the Williams Group, it was Mrs. Williams who steadied the ship. She rallied support from the society ladies, shoring up the company's position when it wavered.

In those rarefied circles, the influence of women was not to be underestimated.

Skyler had never let her study business or work directly at the Williams Group. The real plan had always been to have her forge connections among the city's elite women, to build a network that would be just as vital as any boardroom skill. In this era, who you knew often mattered more than what you could do.

Tonight, she was ostensibly here to pick up Raven and pay her respects to Mr. Walden. The real goal, though, was to use Mr. Burton's gala as an opportunity to deepen her ties with some of the city's most important families.

prominent socialite-famous, well-liked, always at the center of things. But who

the Gardners, the Burtons, the Watsons-every one of them mattered, and she intended to make the most of

always eluded them. From the very first meeting, she'd known they were worlds apart. Stella was never a rival, not even when she'd been granted a share of the family's assets.

you could go. No matter how hard Stella worked, she'd never reach her level. The friends and allies she'd cultivated over the years were the kind Stella couldn't even dream

wasn't a danger to her

advised her second and third brothers not to view Stella

genuinely meant

would be different. But she was just a

come back. Her only real goal was to marry well. But men

marry anyone, let alone rely on a man. The endless scheming, the jealousy

wish was to fulfill her own ambition, to reach the very top

just to back up some woman?" Sherman's eyes widened in amusement as he spoke. “Don't tell me she's some secret love child he