The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

A glimmer of delight flashed in Simone's eyes. "Big brother, you're finally done with work?"

Leonard's voice was deep and low. "Yeah. Those old men in the family, clinging to power just because of their age, always scheming to keep control. They never stop to consider whether they're actually up to the task."

Simone tilted her head, curiosity in her voice. "Have you ever met the head of the Gardner family?"

Leonard's tone lifted a little. "The head of the Gardners? I met the previous patriarch a few times, but never the current one. Why do you ask?”

Simone hesitated, her voice turning shy. "Big brother, if I were to marry him, would you approve?"

Leonard's tone shifted. "Marry him? Simone, how do you even know him? Are you sure he's really the head of the Gardner family?"

Simone nodded. "I don't think I'm mistaken."

With that, she recounted to Leonard how she had come to know Joshua, explaining everything from the beginning.

astonished. "That's quite something, Simone. You did well

direct contact, but the Gardners were powerful enough to rival any

the Gardner patriarch, and if it could lead to something more, it

were those in the family still plotting to unseat him. But if he could form an alliance with Joshua, no one

beamed with pride

expression darkened. "But this is Novaris. Some things are harder to accomplish here. And there are always

"By the way, big brother, did you

voice turned instantly cold. "Aurora

to hide anything. She told Leonard the whole story

the same mother and father, and had grown up together. Leonard

even worse, that his beloved woman

any idea

Simone didn't hesitate. "Stella."

Why have I never heard of