The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella didn't disappoint Mr. Burton in the slightest. She carried herself with poise and grace, her manners impeccable-never overstepping, never shrinking back.

The guests couldn't stop praising her, showering Mr. Burton with compliments for his discerning eye.

Mr. Burton, ever the mischievous old soul, soaked up every word, his smile growing wider with each flattery.

It quickly became clear to everyone that he adored hearing such praise,

especially when it came to his knack for finding talent and Stella's remarkable qualities.

In no time at all, Stella was being lauded to the heavens.

For her, this was an entirely new experience.

Neither the Williams family nor the O'Brien family had ever included her in gatherings like this.

The O'Briens considered her an embarrassment, someone who couldn't be seen in polite society, and they rarely allowed her to attend any formal events.

The Williams family, on the other hand, always used her youth and supposed lack of refinement as an excuse to keep her away from social occasions.

Her identity hadn't been made public, after all—taking her out in public would only invite awkward questions.

Someone, perhaps with an ulterior motive, turned to Mr. Burton and remarked, "Mr. Burton, your protégé is truly exceptional-beauty and talent both. She's every bit the equal of Aurora, the city's most celebrated debutante."

let out a

humility were foreign concepts to him. "Of course! My student is the very

exchanged glances and sized

was the Williams family's pride a young

Burton's mentorship, to compare

good mood. They simply

settled on a group standing a short distance away-the O'Briens

across his face.

him a knowing

"Alright."

he was up to. Mr. Burton had been biding his time

and Rachel must be panicking

approached, Galen-the O'Briens' patriarch-his wife Yolande Wilkinson, and

unaware of the

Mr. Burton

ker breath, "Some people just

and Deanna greeted

"Mr. Burton..."

before Mr. Burton cut them

to Galen and Yolande. "You're