The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The moment Stella saw this man, every hair on her arms stood on end. An

inexplicable sense of danger prickled at the back of her mind.

Sensing her unease, Haynes quietly stepped forward, positioning himself between Stella and the stranger, shielding her from the man's gaze.

"Mr. Lerman, you're here too?"

Leonard's eyes settled coldly on Haynes, the curve of his lips icy and unsettling.

"Mr. O'Brien, you came all the way to the Williams estate-just to play mediator for your ex-wife?"

Haynes's expression remained composed; he didn't bother denying it.

"Stella is Keen's mother. If I don't protect her, who will?"

His meaning was clear: Stella was under his protection.

Leonard's smile tightened, but he said nothing more. He strolled down the steps, then turned to Jonathan.

"Mr. Williams, aren't you going to introduce us?"

Jonathan rose at the cue, his voice polite but tense.

"Leonard, this is our youngest sister, Stella. And this... is Keen's father, Haynes."

nodded, surprisingly civil,

"Mr. O'Brien. A pleasure."

hesitate; he shook Leonard's hand

Lerman. I've heard a

and he offered

heard Aurora mention you often. Now that I finally meet you, I must say,

about to

flashed, cold and sharp

something was wrong, Haynes reached out to

as if from nowhere, pressed hard against Stella's

said softly, lips curling into a dangerous smile. "If anyone tries anything, I'll

Haynes's face darkened.

a couple of seconds before reality snapped

"Leonard, what the

you all dying

5 wo 4 Dehind

Well, let's hear her answer—her

"

up! Star didn't do it. Leonard, let her

enough for you? There's not even a shadow of

truth was, deep

%UT¢

really did it-if she could betray her own family and our interests-then keeping her around would only bring more trouble Wouldn't it be better if just ended it right now? I'd be solving a big problem for the