The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 509

Abby had all but given up hope—until she saw who had just walked in. Her eyes went wide with sudden delight.

She rushed over. "Star, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just ran into a little trouble," Stella replied, stepping forward. "Sorry I'm late... Did I mess up the show?"

"No, no, you're right on time!" Abby said quickly, relief washing over her. "Antoney, Candida, and Marvin are playing together now. I'll give them a heads-up through the earpiece in a minute.

Star, you get ready-you're up soon."

Stella nodded.

Abby led her into the dressing room. As she helped Stella into her evening gown, she filled her in on what had happened out front.

"Antoney just finished his solo. He said tonight's concert isn't the charity performance we thought it was. It's not just a room full of sweet old folks.

He spotted a lot of unfamiliar faces-even some from the Williams family. Your father and older brother are out there. And... that half-sister of yours."

A shadow flickered across Stella's eyes.

Thinking back to Sherman, what Candida had said about her ex, and the way Jasper Haynes and the others had acted, Stella started to piece things together.

heard of the Burtons back when she was with the Williams family, of course. But she'd never connected Mr. Burton-the quiet man who ran a shabby old clinic with

disappeared. Even Aurora had only met

a family like that... Stella

and Abby could only share the essentials, just enough to prepare Stella for

nodding as she

dressed, Abby glanced at the clock-there was still a little time. She couldn't help but ask, "Star, what

ran into Sherman. He's Mr.

gasp. "Sherman? He's... Mr. Burton's

hit

give you trouble again after he

don't worry. I took care of it. Mr. Connolly is handling the rest

blinked. "Handling the rest? What's left

way he'd let

hitch," Stella sai

of waiting for

it was better to make sure he

he couldn't

hesitated, lowering her voice. "Star...

about it for