The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Everyone's eyes were fixed anxiously on Stella.

No one had anticipated Leonard would go this far.

Stella stood with a gun aimed at her. Aside from a noticeable pallor, she stayed remarkably composed her expression calm, not a trace of terror in her features.

She spoke up, her voice steady. "No, it isn't."

Leonard narrowed his eyes. "Ms. Cameron, I told you I can't stand liars."

Stella's reply was cool. "And I can't stand having a gun pointed at me."

Leonard's gaze was glacial. "If you don't want to be threatened, you'd better answer my question."

Her tone didn't waver. "I already have. Perhaps Mr. Lerman has a hearing problem? Or-"

She lifted her chin, meeting Leonard's cold, murderous stare.

"Or maybe my answer just isn't what you wanted to hear? If that's the case, Mr. Lerman, why don't you tell me exactly what you want to hear? I'll answer accordingly. Or, you could just go ahead and shoot me now-save us both the trouble."

As her words faded, Haynes, Skyler, and Jonathan all turned pale, shouting in unison.

"Star!"

Leonard was already notorious for being unhinged, and Stella was only provoking him further-did she have a death wish?

of

dared to challenge

calm. "Don't think

smiled ever so slightly,

"Then do it."

eyes as he slowly squeezed the trigger. The

that's enough! This is the Williams estate,

gun still

so

to pull the trigger

narrowed, just about to intervene, when suddenly a woman's frail, sickly

from the staircase

"Leonard, stop."

froze and

that split second, Haynes seized the opportunity, snatching

it back; instead, his attention shifted to Aurora, who had just

you're supposed to be resting. Why are

over, slipping his

a chill dressed

by the

Aurora Skyler had shot her a look, urging her to fetch

a maniac-he respected no one, not even Skyler.