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,

Leave the keys in the ignition. My people will check the money. Once it's confirmed, we'll talk

suitcases in the back. "Fine. But I need proof-they're still

inside the warehouse. Someone will

pistol in her pocket

"All right."

made

knew Haynes' team would be tailing

discreet device

warehouse door, she noticed it was

it open, the hinges groaning under

Inside, a

clearly been expecting

of burly

she

The guards simply stepped aside, allowing her

off guard by how cooperative they were. Was it a

as she entered the room, her doubts faded-Rachel and Keen were

around the space, searching for anything out of the

her, his eyes lit

"Mom!"

side and, with the small knife

Keen threw himself

his back, her voice soft and soothing. "Keen, did they hurt

head. "No. They