The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Aurora had been forced to run for her life, utterly humiliated—so why should Stella

get off scot-free?

He wanted nothing more than to terrify Stella, to send her running in panic, her

composure shattered. He wanted her to carry this shameful stain for the rest of

her life.

But Stella’s reaction had caught him completely off guard.

She was tougher than most men he’d ever met.

Even with a gun pointed at her, Stella remained far calmer than any man would

have managed.

Sellers’ voice yanked him out of his thoughts.

“What, nothing? Don’t tell me she just fainted from sheer terror like some helpless

damsel?”

Sellers had witnessed Leonard’s methods before and knew just how ruthless he

could be. A woman like Stella wouldn’t last five minutes in Leonard’s hands.

But Leonard was nothing like him.

He’d grown up in the Burton family, and under Mr. Burton’s influence, they rarely

resorted to truly vicious tactics.

Leonard, on the other hand, was a different breed entirely.

To secure his place as head of the family, Leonard had done unspeakable things

—his reputation for cruelty was so fierce that even Sellers was wary of crossing

him.

was no paragon of

who’d managed to earn Leonard’s hatred was doomed

fate—no one doubted that.

of Mr. Burton, Sellers couldn’t get involved directly. Letting

be a perfect way to

his own grudge.

explanation for Stella not falling apart at Leonard’s

was that she’d

“And here I thought she was

dreams of replacing Aurora? She should take a hard look

herself first...”

trailed off, cut short

cunning than

blow

in surprise. “What are

voice was cool and measured. “When I pointed a

mercy. In fact, she had the nerve

believe what he was hearing. “You sure

know, sometimes you mistake pleas for mercy as

caught

replied coldly, “I might have my flaws, but being an

“So, you’re telling me Stella didn’t plead for

to

even lower. “I called her cunning for a reason.

to

recounted everything Haynes had said during their

listened, his brow furrowing

the William’s family actually

things could

he murmured.

as long

Williams

be careful

simply