The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The sound of polished shoes echoed down the hallway, drawing closer with every

step.

Simone's nerves instantly snapped taut.

Should she keep pretending to be asleep?

She hesitated, weighing her options, but then a distorted male voice, filtered through some kind of voice changer, broke the silence.

"I know you're awake."

Since her cover was blown, Simone didn't bother to keep up the pretense. Lifting her head, she demanded, "Who are you? Why did you kidnap me? Is it money you're after?"

The man replied coolly, "Money is the least of my concerns."

Her heart sank. "Then what do you want?"

He gave a low, mocking laugh. “I have some unfinished business with Leonard. Kidnapping you, Miss Lerman, is all about him. I've set a trap here, just waiting for your brother to fall into it.

I've heard you and Leonard are full siblings, inseparable since childhood. I'm curious-will you sacrifice yourself to save your dear brother from my scheme?"

wasn't naive. In a situation like this, unless someone rescued her, she was as good as dead. Still, she didn't rush to ask for a call to Leonard. Instead, she tried to stall for time and fish

really? What did my brother ever do to

added, "I'm just a woman-dragging me into whatever

"A grudge between men? Your brother never cared about that

only reason Leonard ever targeted women was for Aurora's sake. Aurora-always Aurora! If it

all this.

is that you're about to find out what it's like to be

Any trace of

are you planning to

tve

moment, I'll let you call Leonard for help. Tell him he has thirty minutes to get to the location I'll give you. If he's late... Well, Miss Lerman, I'm afraid have to introduce

breath hitched, panic clawing

felt disturbingly familiar-like history repeating

it Stella who sent you?!" she

once used the same tactic against Stella,

didn't

The man paused.

"Stella? Why do

blame everything

Your brother used Abby.to threaten