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.

attention being fixed on the stage, Rachel

her text. His long, pale fingers danced across

I'll take

still lingered. She quickly texted back, "How are you

moments later: "Come to

darted her gaze around the ballroom. Was Joshua already

she whispered, "Haynie,

glanced at her, his gaze still glued to the performers onstage, and

slipped out into

His posture was relaxed, almost lazy, yet he radiated

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

time no see.” His voice was smooth and gentle, as soothing as a

think he

her words coming in a rush, but Joshua brought a finger to his lips,

somewhere more

of the possibility of

garden was deserted-everyone was inside, watching

verge of being exposed, could barely keep her nerves in

no time to worry about Joshua's dangerous reputation or the risk of him discovering