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

found

planning to take

hold out-she spilled everything."

a beat,

"So... who is he?"

to say he

be from one of the great

a

have you ever met the elusive head of the

barely more

the Gardners? The

vel

some families held power, others influence still others controlled unique resources-medical, financial, or political. But the Gardners? What they had was money, pure and simple. Even

family, with all their assets, couldn't

legendary

head of the family had met an early and mysterious death. Rumors

cursed, shrouded in

the Burtons, the Watsons, and the Chapmans-all preferred to band together, maximizing their collective interests.

never

he

claimed he was

tales