The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 597

Stella had asked Neville for a favor and managed to get a few tickets to the upcoming auction.

This auction was nothing special-it was easy enough to get in, and most of the items up for bid were calligraphy and paintings. Nothing like the last time, when the auction was full of rare and exotic treasures.

This time, along with Stella, Abby, and Neville, even Antoney, Candida, and Joshua had come along for the experience. Candida, who had never attended an auction before, was practically buzzing with excitement.

Antoney, seated to Stella's left, leaned in. "Star, is your painting really going up for auction tonight?”

Stella nodded. "I'm pretty sure it is."

Abby's voice was tinged with guilt. "Star, I'm sorry. If it weren't for me needing to raise money, you wouldn't have had to sell your painting."

University, Stella had majored in music and minored in art. Her musical talent was undeniable, but she was just as gifted with a paintbrush. Nora had raised her to be a real lady-music, chess, painting, literature-Stella excelled at them all. Her calligraphy

minor. Stella had chosen it, more to nurture

my paintings, I never would have realized they were actually worth

strange light in his eyes. "I did a

they had, leaving themselves just enough to get by. As an

She didn't have many- just five she considered good enough to show the world. Most of her time was spent on music, and painting was more of a

when her first piece sold

also scraped together every penny to help Abby, making his own situation pretty tight. So, one by one, Stella Sold all her paintings, just enough to keep

them back. Stella used the money to buy her own apartment,

support, and when Antoney wanted to strike out on his own, Abby helped him find a studio

all three-Stella,

swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Connolly,