The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 1004

He was just about to slip into the shadows and follow when someone gently

tugged at his sleeve.

"Joshua."

Joshua turned. To his surprise, it was Simone Lerman.

Simone beamed at him. "Joshua, what are you doing here? Not keeping Stella

company?"

Joshua calmly slipped his arm free from Simone's grasp. "Did you need

something?"

Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, Simone lowered her voice.

"Joshua, I wanted to talk to you. Would you take a walk with me?"

He wasn't in any particular rush, so after a moment's thought, he nodded.

Simone had always been fond of Joshua. After learning that his background

matched her own, even her last reservation had melted away. Now, the more time

she spent with him, the more she liked him.

They strolled together into the quiet, secluded back garden.

Joshua's true identity still wasn't public knowledge. Simone wanted to seem as

though she liked him for who he was, not because of his status or connections, so

she chose her words with extra care. She couldn't risk asking if his closeness to

Stella was part of some scheme to acquire shares in The Williams Group.

she asked, "Joshua, is there

you and

had asked

suspected, Leonard had claimed to

the hospital.

replied. "After all, your brother did come to see me

told me to stay away from you that I wasn't good enough

"My brother came to see you? When

didn't I know?"

a few seconds. "It must

your brother was hospitalized."

couldn't be right. She remembered calling Leonard about Joshua around

and her brother had actually praised her taste, saying

to the Lerman

off. "What exactly did my brother say to

gave a small

strange things. He

I'd picked the

your violin playing wasn't

as Aurora's. Even

the same

too-asked why I

was you. In the

away from

like me, an orphan

was completely unworthy

you."

Simone's hands clenched involuntarily.

Joshua had been so distant

him. But why would

knew exactly

thought struck

Aurora...

Leonard had done