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.

had dragged her away earlier, she hadn't struggled. She'd wanted to deal with this troublemaker before

pepper spray in her pocket-she

free, Stella had let Sherman take her to a storage room.

a brick, and she'd

what to do with the unconscious Sherman when Neville found her. With her performance about to

asked under her breath, "What's his

can't exactly make him disappear. I

for a

Burtons come asking later, just put it on me. Say I had a score to settle with Sherman.

is between Sherman and me.

eyebrow. "You

pretty, and that she'd knocked him out in a fit of annoyance

to

He wore a polite smile, but

think much

see you.

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

way,

instinctively

O'Brien, you'll have to stay here.

Haynes halted mid-step.

Karl

"If you need to talk