The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Abby stared at him, thoroughly confused. "Take action? What do you mean, take action?"

Joshua spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We break Harry's hand. That way, he can't compete."

Abby repeated the words, stunned. "Break Harry's hand... so he can't compete?"

Joshua raised his eyebrows. "What, you'd rather see Ms. Cameron lose her ability to play the violin forever?"

Abby shook her head. "If Star agreed to this bet, it means she's completely confident she'll win. But you, Joshua..."

She shot him a strange look, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"How did you come up with the idea of breaking Harry's hand?"

Joshua replied, "Harry set up this whole wager to destroy Ms. Cameron's career. It's no different than ruining her hand. If he's willing to go that far, why shouldn't we?"

it and, to her own surprise, found his reasoning

glanced around, making sure no one was listening, and lowered her voice. "Harry's a celebrity. If something happened to his hand before the competition, suspicion would fall on us immediately. Star's about to headline her first major concert-she doesn't need that kind of trouble. Not to

stood poised on the stage. "Star's already at her peak. She might

competition, Stella's hand had made a full recovery under

to know a

Still...

shot Joshua a grateful glance. If he hadn't noticed the warning signs in time, Stella might have ended up with a

in, then nodded, as

touch him

ended, Harry and Stella

keep the

would perform the

drawing lots: each of them submitted two pieces, and

of course, put forth two of the most technically demanding pieces in the

the other hand, chose two of her mother Nora's signature