The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Simone's eyes turned icy in an instant.

Her voice, usually soft and composed, now rang out with an unfamiliar force and authority.

"Aurora, spread the word for me: Joshua is mine. Unless I say otherwise, no one is to even think about making a move on him."

Aurora was momentarily taken aback.

"Simone, are you serious?"

She had always thought Simone was just toying with Joshua, treating him as a fleeting challenge—a bit of fun, nothing more. After all, he was undeniably attractive. Even if it was a one-night stand, it wouldn't be a loss.

For someone like Simone-an heiress through and through-love with the poor, strategy with the rich; it was just the way of her world.

Aurora quickly tried to reason with her. "Simone, your father will never agree to this."

A strange, almost enigmatic smile tugged at the corners of Simone's mouth.

"Oh, he'll agree," she replied, full of unshakable confidence.

Aurora frowned. “Even if Joshua comes from money, he couldn't possibly

measure up to a family like the Lermans. They're at the very top-old money, real power. Ordinary wealth just doesn't cut it."

Simone turned her head, that odd smile still lingering.

said he comes from an ordinary

flickered. "You've already found

admitted, "I was planning to

hold out-she spilled everything."

skipped a beat, and

"So... who is he?"

he was worthy of

from one of the

her, a knowing

have you ever met the elusive head of

her voice barely

Gardners? The wealthiest family in

vel

the city's elite, some families held power, others influence still others controlled unique resources-medical, financial, or political. But the Gardners?

family, with all

were legendary for

met an early and mysterious death.

family cursed, shrouded in

families like the Williams, the Lermans, the Burtons, the Watsons, and the Chapmans-all preferred to band together, maximizing their collective interests. The Gardners, on the other hand, rarely joined

newest Gardner heir had never even shown

he was

he

were even tales of multiple