The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 531

Everyone in their social circle knew how deeply Skyler cared for Mrs. Williams. If not, he wouldn't have stayed single all these years.

Of course, people loved to gossip. The upper crust was always swirling with rumors and scandals-Mr. Burton, for one, never put much stock in tales of unwavering devotion. He'd seen enough to know "faithful lovers" were usually just playing a part.

So, hearing Skyler might have an illegitimate daughter didn't really shock anyone.

Skyler opened his mouth as if to explain, but the words caught in his throat. Silence settled, and his hesitation seemed almost like tacit admission.

At that moment, Stella spoke up. "Mr. Burton, I'm not a Williams by blood. My last name is Cameron, not Williams."

Jonathan's tone was heavy as he cut in. "Raven, don't be difficult."

Stella turned to him, her gaze steady. "I'm not being difficult. I'm simply telling the truth. Or do you mean to say..." She paused, an inscrutable smile flickering across her face. "Mr. Burton, do you actually think of yourself as an illegitimate child?"

Jonathan's expression darkened instantly. That was the truth, wasn't it? Stella was the illegitimate one. But if that was the case... what did that make him?

He'd spent years resenting his mother for leaving him—she'd never come back, not even once. But his mother was gone now, and she had, in the end, become Mrs. Williams in her own right. That was a fact no one could change.

noticed the shift in Jonathan's mood, his brow furrowing slightly.

said at last. "She's my

the group, reading every nuance in their faces. He raised an eyebrow, feigning

at Aurora, who stood quietly, unflinching even as her identity hovered on the verge of exposure. She was as composed

raised-bright and capable, never falling short compared to any

had given Aurora every advantage, but Skyler knew that all the resources in the world

assembled faces, each etched with different emotions. He had to protect this daughter,

left the family. Raven-” He paused, then clarified for

mother left us."

of the

see it plainly-Skyler's story was meant to shield Aurora, to keep anyone from

nodded in sudden understanding. "So Stella isn't your

right." Skyler nodded. “But I didn't know about her at the time I only learned of Stella's existence a few years ago. After I brought her into the family, we had some... disagreements.

Aurora said nothing,

no intention of adding

what about what