The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella's pupils narrowed. "Leonard?"

Leonard smiled faintly. "It's really not easy to get a meeting with you, Ms.

Cameron. Took me quite a bit of effort."

Stella glanced around, taking in her surroundings.

It wasn't some dim warehouse or basement, but rather what looked like a private villa-clean, bright, not a speck of dust in sight.

Several bodyguards in black stood stationed around the room.

Stella's gaze landed on Abby, who was lying unconscious on the floor not far away.

Stella managed to stay calm and looked directly at Leonard.

"So, Mr. Lerman, what exactly do you want with me? What's so important that you had to bring me all the way here?"

Leonard's tone was cool. "You really are a good actress, Ms. Cameron. Playing innocent suits you."

Stella didn't bother playing along. "You can question me a hundred times, Mr. Lerman. My answer won't change.

I had nothing to do with what happened to Aurora."

Leonard lounged back against the sofa, crossing one leg over the other with casual elegance. "Of course. Someone as clever as you would never get her own hands dirty wouldn't want to leave any evidence behind, would you?"

His smile twisted strangely. "Naturally, you'd have someone else do your dirty work for you. Makes your own reputation look all the more spotless and pristine."

challenge Leonard head-on.

the news that Aurora was an illegitimate

curled, amusement flickering in his eyes. "No benefit, sure if

gaze fixed on her, venomous and unblinking, like a

weren't you? You wanted to destroy her. You were afraid Aurora would outplay you at the violin competition, so you leaked the

what you wanted? To ruin

finds its own

Leonard had brought her here for a reason, and whatever it was,

wasn't about to confess to

she needed was time-enough for Foreman to realize she

between me and Aurora. And as for

but the truth is, she's talented-just not as talented

Aurora perform

Aurora was better than Rachel, but beating her? Stella

Leonard's expression didn't flicker.

was, Aurora would always be

always find some

let out a short, cold laugh,

you going to brag

glory you earned

about

that

legendary violin-Nocturn

he clapped his