The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 518

Joshua arched an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Rachel, didn't I offer before? I could have taken care of her for you, but you refused."

Rachel's expression stiffened.

He was right-he had made the offer, and she had turned it down. All she'd ever wanted was to win Haynes for herself. She wasn't some heartless monster-why would she ever want blood on her hands?

But things were different now.

With Mr. Burton backing Stella, she had become untouchable. Even Joshua would struggle to go up against the Burtons and come out on top.

Maybe it was time to stop hesitating. Maybe Stella just needed to disappear, once and for all.

Rachel parted her lips, instinctively searching for some excuse. But when it came time to speak, not a single word made it out.

Things really had changed. Her heart was growing colder by the day.

didn't bother waiting for an answer. Whether she was kind or cruel-it

handle this for you. But before I do,

hesitated. "What is

a look. His eyes, usually so clear, were now as dark and impenetrable as

is it, after all these years, you've never played anything quite

immediately-Joshua must have heard Stella's performance of "Moonlight" earlier. It had

She wasn't the violinist from that night, so

wanted. But emotion in music was such an elusive thing. She'd never really understood what it was Joshua heard that night-what he was

herself. "That night, I was in

off. "But today I heard Stella play, and she came very

uncertain. "Are you talking

"Original style?"

today was very close

shot Joshua a sidelong glance, then continued, "Beginners always try to mimic the original style.

then, 'Moonlight' had just become popular. I practiced it every day in the garden. At first, I copied the original as closely as I could. But after a while, once I got the hang of it, I started blending