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?"

Still, she didn't rush to ask for

really? What did my brother ever do to

me into whatever grudge you men have seems pretty low, don't you

grudge between men? Your brother never cared about

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

resentment, but kept her tone calm. "Whatever you say, I'm innocent in all this. If you really have a problem with Leonard, why not face

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

Any trace of

are you planning to

tve

minutes to get to the location I'll give you. If he's late... Well, Miss Lerman, I'm afraid have to introduce you to some men arranged.

breath hitched, panic clawing at her

disturbingly

it Stella who sent

used the same tactic against Stella,

friends when he didn't dare confront her

The man paused.

"Stella? Why do

blame everything

Abby Murphy? Your brother used Abby.to threaten Stella,