The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 717

Those words were blunt, almost cruel-Joshua hadn't spared Haynes even a shred of dignity.

Haynes' face darkened, his expression carved in stone, while Rachel lowered her gaze, hiding a quiet satisfaction. So that's why Joshua "ran into" them here- clearly, he'd come to stir the pot, to drive a wedge between Stella and Haynes. Trust Joshua to be this sharp; so much more useful than Jasper, who only ever managed to offend everyone in sight.

Haynes pressed his lips into a thin, unforgiving line, as if he wanted to say something but forced himself to stay silent.

Joshua, of course, wasn't finished. "Honestly, Mr. O'Brien, no wonder Ms. Cameron divorced you. She gets hurt, and you don't even ask if she's all right. All you ever do is accuse and criticize. With that kind of cold indifference, I doubt there's a woman alive-apart from the truly desperate-who would want you."

Rachel stood quietly off to the side, eyes fixed on the floor, saying nothing. A long time ago, when Joshua found out she had feelings for Haynes, he hadn't understood it at all. He'd even offered to set her up with someone else. Clearly, he'd never thought much of Haynes.

Haynes stiffened at Joshua's words, his gaze snapping to Stella. "You're hurt?"

Stella wore long sleeves today, and her injury was hidden beneath the fabric. Haynes hadn't noticed at first.

"It's nothing. Just a scratch," Stella replied, her voice steady and dismissive.

few minutes later, Ms. Cameron's hand might have been

Stella's hands. Only then did he notice the faint traces of injury at her wrist. Without warning, he seized Stella's arm, pulling up her sleeve to reveal the

do something like this in front of Rachel. For a second, she froze,

what the hell do you think

face was thunderous, voice colder than ice. "Who did

it matter?" Stella shot back, her tone sharp and

on her injury, his voice lowering to a dangerous rumble. "Stella. I'm asking you: Who did

Joshua's words, it was clear this wasn't some accident-someone had meant to hurt

face, so handsome yet now so hard and cold, and

me. He barged in looking for her, and when I

"Luckily, Joshua arrived just

hide his glee.

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