The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Harry had never experienced such a crushing defeat and humiliation before. The blow left him dazed and dispirited, a shadow of his usual self.

Mr. Walden, accompanied by Rena and the others, hurried to take Harry home.

Watching Harry's fragile state, Mr. Walden couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Losing to Stella—a completely unexpected contender-would be a bitter pill for Harry to swallow. He doubted the boy would recover from this setback any time soon.

As they made their way outside, Mr. Walden caught sight of Haynes, holding a bouquet of flowers, with Rachel at his side.

Rachel gave a polite nod. "Professor."

Mr. Walden's expression was frosty; he didn't even glance her way, making it clear he had no intention of responding.

Rachel hesitated, caught off guard by his coldness. It didn't take her long to realize Mr. Walden was blaming her for the whole business with Harry and Stella's bet.

But what did any of this have to do with her? It was Mr. Walden who had recruited Harry, and Harry himself who had proposed the wager. Still, Rachel kept her frustration to herself, putting on a look of hurt innocence instead.

right?" she

"He'll be fine.

ignore Mr. Walden either. He greeted

fixing Haynes with a piercing, hawk-like

done you any wrong. Why go out of your

blinked, genuinely confused. "I

at the edges of Mr. Walden's lips. "I originally wanted to recruit Stella. But you- you insisted she was just

who knew nothing

she? Can't do a thing-except conjure up 'The Gaze'

belittled her, made her out to be useless, and convinced me to

happened since

gaze landed

had nothing I but

this mess as well. You really did recommend me a

made her a star overnight. Harry's reputation was in tatters, and so was Mr. Walden's-years