The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 528

Her demeanor was lukewarm, as though she were speaking to a stranger-calm, without a hint of emotion.

Haynes felt his throat tighten inexplicably.

"It's been ages since Keen saw you. Don't you want to visit him?" he asked.

Stella replied, “I'm still busy here."

The implication was clear-she was turning him down.

Haynes' voice grew heavier. "No matter how busy you are, don't you have even a few minutes to see your child?"

Stella's lips curved in a faint, noncommittal smile. “I'm not the person he wants to see. Ms. Pearce is here, isn't she? With her around, that's enough."

A faint furrow appeared between Haynes' brows.

"You're Keen's mother. Even if he's close to Rachel, she can never take your place."

Stella remained unmoved.

Haynes looked as if he wanted to say more, but Neville approached briskly and stopped by Stella's side.

Leaning close, he murmured, "Sherman's awake."

Stella's brows shifted almost imperceptibly.

she hadn't struggled. She'd wanted to deal with this troublemaker before her performance

carried pepper spray in her pocket-she wasn't afraid of

free, Stella had let Sherman take her to

blow with a brick, and she'd knocked

Sherman when Neville found her. With her performance about to

under her breath, "What's his

exactly make him disappear. I locked him up

paused for a

the Burtons come asking later, just put it on me. Say I had a score to settle with Sherman. Mr. Burton won't make things hard

Sherman and me. He won't let this go

"You two knew

had just been hitting on Stella because she was pretty, and that

Stella was about to explain when Karl

polite smile, but his eyes

think much

you. There's something

of her own. Candida had mentioned he was her ex-boyfriend-handsome enough, but a

the way,

this, Haynes instinctively started

him. "Mr. O'Brien, you'll have to stay here. Mr. Burton asked for Ms.

Haynes halted mid-step.

to follow, but Karl blocked him with the

and measured. "If you