The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

It wasn't until this moment that Antoney finally understood Stella's true intention.

She'd brought him here as a decoy, to muddy the waters.

The three women glanced at the three men present, then turned their eyes

collectively toward Joshua.

"It's him."

Stella asked, "Do you know his name?"

The businesswoman replied, "He told me his name was Caleb."

The heiress added, "He told me he was Rankin."

The socialite said, "He introduced himself as Cory."

Three different names. Classic con artist behavior.

Stella pressed further, "Since you were in a relationship with him, you must have

some photos or videos of him on your phone, right?"

The women calmly handed over their phones.

With how advanced photo editing is these days, it's hard to tell real from fake just

by looking. You can't trust your eyes anymore.

Stella continued, "Can each of you describe when you dated him, where you met,

and what happened?"

Though they'd already posted about the story online, those were just general

summaries.

stole a quick, almost unconscious glance

began. Her account

this time she added

a single logical flaw to

heiress shared

her relationship with "Rankin"-who

Joshua. She

confidently,

this story

times in her mind.

few

fool Haynes-and even Antoney picked up on

socialite's account was just as convincing, every detail delivered with

never once looked at Haynes.

darting around the room.

again. "You're all sure you were in a relationship with

nodded

went on, "does he

distinctive?"

businesswoman answered steadily, "We never got that

know."

two

brow furrowing deeper

not a single inconsistency

too perfect is

pressed on, "You've known all along, but never came forward.

to expose

replied,

scammed us-our feelings, our

money-he disappeared without a

tried

it was

when