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.

of the room. Guests stared, wide-eyed, at the unfolding scene—some in shock, but others merely shrugged. To them, it was business

all, had a reputation-Aurora's persistent admirer, always swooping in to "defend❞ her from anyone he deemed a

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

There's an old rule: if you

With all these guests watching,

to protect her, worried she'd made an enemy out of Leonard and would face retaliation.

napkin at Leonard's cheek, shooting Stella a look so

Why are you treating him this way?" she demanded,

exchanged grim looks. Coleman tried again,

me, don't waste your breath. With so many

you

apologizing to him."

family, her expression cold as steel, her words sharp

haven't thrown

is supposed to

for me. I don't

any of