The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The man's voice oozed sleaze-a hungry, predatory edge that made Simone's skin crawl.

Joshua didn't even glance in their direction. He kept walking, not the least bit interested in getting involved.

"Seymour, if you lay a hand on me, my brother will kill you!" Simone's voice trembled with fury.

"Miss Lerman, relax. I'll take responsibility for you. Once I formally ask your family for your hand, your brother won't have a reason to kill me," Seymour replied, his tone mocking.

"I'd rather die than marry you!"

Seymour cut her off with a malicious laugh. "By then, whether you want to or not won't be your decision."

Joshua's face remained completely impassive as he overheard their exchange. If anything, he picked up his pace, determined to leave the mess behind.

Suddenly, a disheveled woman burst out from the flowerbeds ahead, stumbling as she ran.

can't get away!" Seymour shouted after

standing not far away-a man, half- shadowed, almost blending into the

with hope. She

"That man is trying to hurt me! If you help

deserted, tucked away far from the city lights. Up close, Simone still couldn't make

try to tell someone, nobody will believe you. And the Chapman family-they'd

remained silent, shrouded in

"If you save me tonight, I'll take responsibility for whatever happens! I'm the eldest daughter of the Lerman family you must've heard the name. Help me, and my family will owe you. O Whatever you want, just

moment, unmoving. Then, finally,

could feel it a dangerous energy radiated from this stranger. Still, after scanning his memory and finding no match to any of the city's powerful families, Seymour's

shining cold and bright. Without hesitation, Seymour lunged, aiming straight for Joshua's back. His movement was swift and practiced, the strike calculated-a man who

in a