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.

brow furrowing slightly. Finally, he let out

not an illegitimate child," Skyler said

He raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. "I'd

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

he'd carefully raised-bright and capable, never falling short compared to any

knew that all the resources in the world meant nothing

assembled faces, each etched with different

"Their mother didn't die, actually. She left the family. Raven-” He paused, then clarified for those who might not know Stella's given name. "That's Stella.

mother left us."

of the truth, but he

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

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

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

remained silent. Aurora said nothing, either. Even Stella

of adding to

"And what about what Stella mentioned earlier? What was