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.

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 a faded

wife died, Mr. Burton had practically disappeared. Even Aurora

that... Stella

share the essentials, just enough to prepare Stella for

as she took

time. She couldn't help but ask, "Star, what happened out there? You vanished

He's

let out a shocked gasp. "Sherman? He's...

realization hit her almost

he give you trouble

nod. "Yeah, but don't worry. I took care of it. Mr. Connolly is

blinked. "Handling the rest? What's left to deal

way he'd let

hitch," Stella

waiting for

it was better to make

he couldn't cause any more

lowering her voice. "Star... you didn't... 'silence' him, did

thought about it for