The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

A shadow of worry creased Sherman's brow.

"Uncle, Leonard's a mad dog. If we bring him into this, there's no telling what chaos he might unleash."

Leonard had clawed his way up from the margins-a bastard son, barely acknowledged to the ruthless head of the Lerman family. Even Sherman, no stranger to hard men, felt uneasy when he heard stories of Leonard's methods.

Sellers spoke with his usual calm. "Whoever targeted Aurora this time knew exactly what they were doing. Not only can't we contain the news, it's spreading faster than ever. Neither our family nor the Williams can handle this on our own. If things keep going like this, Aurora's finished. We might as well join forces with Leonard and help her weather the storm."

Sherman hesitated. "But Leonard is too cruel..."

Sherman had a bit of cunning, but he lacked Sellers' ruthless edge.

As far as he was concerned, Stella's status as an illegitimate child coming out and Stella choosing to fight back was only natural. He, Karl, and Uncle Sellers had all suffered at Stella's hands before. He knew this woman never forgave a slight and would always strike back.

Even though he sided with Aurora, the dirty laundry between Aurora and Stella was their own sibling rivalry. But involving Leonard—the bloodhound-would push things to a whole new level.

Just then, a doctor in a white coat came sprinting toward them.

"Mr. Burton! Bad news! Someone leaked Ms. Williams' hospitalization. The hospital is swarming with reporters outside-security can't hold them back! There are so many people, and now the crowd's pushing into the building!"

The mob was already surging in, and there was no

the Burton

looks like

"I'm on it!" he shouted

turned to Sherman. "Get a car ready. We're leaving through

Sherman nodded. "Right away."

they managed to spirit Aurora out the back without incident.

though, and somewhere along

Aurora finally

and found herself slung over Sherman's

She blinked, confused. "What's going on?" Before he could answer,

time. With a wet smack, a raw egg exploded against her head, yolk and slime dripping

out

there?!" Sellers and Karl, sensing trouble,

crowd blocked the back entrance, faces

Stella's life for over twenty years-why