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.

had drawn attention from every corner 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 threat. And everyone knew that stepchildren and biological children rarely

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

had instigated things, Stella's reaction was a bit much. There's an old rule: if you must hit someone, at least spare their face. Stella, though, had aimed right

shock and rising fury. With all these guests

protect her, worried she'd made an enemy out

wine-stained napkin at Leonard's cheek, shooting Stella a look so cold it could

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

exchanged grim looks. Coleman

demand an apology from me, don't waste your breath. With so

what you say, I'm

apologizing to him."

over the Williams family, her expression cold

haven't thrown him out

is

me.

of you keep meddling,