The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 553

Stella glanced at Haynes without betraying any emotion, then lowered her gaze.

She climbed into the vehicle without another word.

Benson had brought around an oversized SUV, its cavernous trunk stacked high with nineteen suitcases.

As Stella was about to start the engine, Joshua-who had been silent until now- finally spoke up.

"Ms. Cameron."

She looked over at him.

Joshua offered her a gentle smile. "Take care."

Stella nodded, her hesitation gone. She started the car.

Haynes, Foreman, and Joshua stood in place, watching as she drove away. In the rearview mirror, their figures shrank smaller and smaller until they vanished from sight.

Stella's hand slipped into her pocket, brushing against something cold. Her pupils flinched.

A pistol.

She steadied her nerves and focused on the road ahead.

About twenty minutes later, Stella reached a secluded spot on the outskirts of town. An abandoned warehouse loomed before her, surrounded by dense brush and tangled undergrowth-a place perfect for hiding, but a nightmare for anyone hoping to stage a rescue.

Whoever chose this place for a handoff was clever-maybe too clever.

Stella parked, her phone

My people will check the money. Once it's confirmed, we'll talk about letting

suitcases in the back. "Fine. But I

"Head inside the warehouse. Someone will bring

in her pocket again, feeling a

"All right."

stepped out and made her way toward the

team would be tailing her,

device

the warehouse door, she noticed

hinges groaning under years

Inside, a

They'd clearly been expecting her

burly men

she

stated her purpose. The guards simply stepped aside, allowing her

off guard by how cooperative they were. Was it a trap? Her instincts

room, her doubts faded-Rachel and

swept her gaze around the space, searching for anything out of the ordinary,

Keen spotted her, his eyes

"Mom!"

small knife she

threw himself

gently rubbed his back, her voice soft and soothing.

his head.