The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 517

Rachel's chest tightened, each breath growing more difficult.

She'd always thought Mr. Burton was just an eccentric old mystic-certainly not someone with real skill. But after what she'd just witnessed, it was clear his medical expertise was anything but a sham.

Which could only mean one thing: Mr. Burton must already know she was faking her illness.

Even Rachel, slow to catch on as she sometimes was, realized now that Mr. Burton's earlier behavior had been nothing but a game-he'd been toying with her. And Stella, that snake, likely knew the truth too.

Stella hadn't exposed her, instead choosing to play along. It was all part of her plan to get that billion-dollar payout from Haynes.

If Mr. Burton were just a powerless old man, Haynes might not have believed a word he said. But Mr. Burton was the founder of the Burton Group. His words carried weight-Haynes was bound to believe him.

She was about to be exposed. Panic flooded Rachel's veins.

From the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at Haynes. He looked just as blindsided as she felt.

Rachel's heart pounded so hard it was all she could hear. Desperation clawed at her. In that moment, she remembered Joshua Gardner.

Yes-Joshua. He'd promised to come to Neo-Vespera tonight. Maybe he could help her.

fixed on the stage, Rachel hurriedly typed out a message to

dignified features softened as he read her text. His long,

worry I'll take

but anxiety still lingered. She quickly texted back,

reply came moments later:

the ballroom. Was Joshua already here? How had she

whispered, "Haynie, I need to use the

still glued to the performers onstage, and nodded

out into the

man-Joshua. His posture was relaxed, almost lazy,

dark, clear eyes-like polished obsidian-lifted to meet hers, a faint smile playing at their

His voice was smooth and

him would think he

started, her words coming in a rush, but Joshua brought a finger to his lips, signaling for silence, and nodded toward the

go somewhere more

possibility of eavesdroppers, and

garden was deserted-everyone was inside,

being exposed, could barely keep

time to worry about Joshua's dangerous reputation or the risk of him