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.

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

not an illegitimate child," Skyler said at last. "She's my biological

faces. He raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. "I'd heard Mrs. Williams passed away after giving birth to your

quietly, unflinching even as her identity hovered on the verge of exposure. She

the daughter he'd carefully raised-bright and capable, never falling short compared to any man. He had

every advantage, but Skyler knew that all the resources in the

faces, each etched with different emotions. He had to protect this daughter, no matter

didn't die, actually. She left the family. Raven-” He paused, then clarified for those who might

mother left us."

some of the truth, but he

to shield

Burton nodded in sudden understanding. "So Stella

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

nothing, either. Even Stella seemed

intention of adding to the

what Stella mentioned earlier? What