The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 991

Stella met Israel's furious glare with icy calm. "And why exactly should I listen to you?"

Israel faltered, momentarily taken aback.

Even Coleman and Aurora looked at her in disbelief.

Coleman's voice, usually warm, had turned cold. "Stella, that's enough. Leonard is a guest of the Lerman family-he's not yours to treat however you like.

I'm warning you. Apologize to Leonard, right now, or "

Stella cut him off. "Or what? You'll throw me out again, like last time? Maybe call security and have them drag me out?"

She settled back onto the couch, unbothered. Joshua, ever attentive, offered her a sanitizing wipe.

Stella took her time, meticulously cleaning the hand she'd just used to slap Leonard across the face.

Once again, she felt a silent surge of gratitude-Joshua always seemed to know exactly what she needed, sometimes even before she did.

Israel watched her act so fearlessly, his expression growing darker by the second.

room. Guests stared, wide-eyed, at

from anyone he deemed a threat. And everyone

surprising. In fact, considering Leonard's abrasive personality, some even suspected he'd provoked

was a bit much. There's an old rule: if you must hit someone, at least spare

shock and rising fury. With all these guests watching, Stella hadn't spared him a

worst part? He'd only tried to protect her, worried she'd made an enemy out of Leonard and would face retaliation.

was dabbing a wine-stained napkin at Leonard's cheek, shooting Stella

to deserve this? Why are you treating him this way?" she demanded, before turning to Israel and Coleman. "The Williams family owes

and Coleman exchanged grim looks.

"If you're here to demand an apology from me, don't

what you say,

apologizing to him."

gaze swept over the Williams family, her expression cold as

haven't thrown him

is supposed

me. I don't want

But if any of