The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 502

"Mom?"

The soft, hesitant call snapped Stella back to reality. She turned and saw Keen- dressed like a little gentleman, every detail immaculate. It had been some time since she'd last seen him.

Once, she'd treasured Keen more than her own life; the slightest hint of trouble would leave her anxious and fretting for hours. She'd even convinced herself, more than once, that losing him would be unthinkable-something she simply wouldn't survive.

But reality had proven otherwise. Stella knew now: she must never lose herself for anyone, not even her own child.

She nodded gently in reply to Keen's greeting, but a faint question lingered in her mind.

Why had Mr. Burton invited them as well? Was he trying to mend the rift between her and Keen, bringing him—and, by extension, the whole O'Brien family-along to smooth things over?

Her thoughts were interrupted as the commotion drew the attention of the event manager. A middle-aged man strode over, his tone sharp: "What's all this noise about? Is something wrong here?"

have an invitation. She slipped into the party. This is Mr. Burton's birthday celebration, and we can't have unidentified

their invitations—each one accounted for, no exceptions. To prevent unwanted guests, everyone had to show proof at the door. Without it,

how had this

in front of Stella. "Miss, may

I'm here to perform.

had let her in. She hadn't met this man before-odds were, he was an in-house butler, brought in by the Burtons

had

surprise, her lips curled into a sly smile. "Ms Cameron, if you

put in a word with Haynie—let's say you came with us,

"Rachel, you're too soft! After what she did-pushing you into the lake, nearly killing. you-and you'd still vouch for her? I say no way. People like her shouldn't be here. Sir, get her

seeing Stella unable to produce an invitation and noting the group's open hostility, lost all patience. He signaled to the security guards behind