The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Israel realized he'd said the wrong thing and pressed his lips together, falling silent.

"Either way, with that much power in Stella's hands, you know she'll throw her weight around," he muttered. "Sooner or later, she'll turn the Williams Group into a complete disaster."

Aurora shook her head. "I wouldn't be so sure. Even if Stella wanted to go off the rails, those board elders backing her would never let it happen."

Israel scoffed. "Those old fossils? They're still playing office politics, and I've had enough of them. They never actually contribute anything to the company-just block everything we try to do. 'This won't work, that's too risky...' It's always something. They just happened to be lucky enough to bask in Mom's glory for a few years, and now they act like they're big shots. It's the twenty-first century, but they're still clinging to their outdated ways."

He paused, then admitted, "Granted, Mom's investments were a huge success- not because of luck, but because she really had an eye for opportunity. But if she were starting out in today's cutthroat market, I doubt she'd have it so easy."

Coleman spoke up. "Stella's been studying art all these years; who knows if she's even up to the challenge? If she turns out to be a screw-up, even Mom's loyalists will abandon her soon enough. Besides..."

cold edge crept into Coleman's eyes. "We're Nora's children too. Why shouldn't

at the end... she died without saying goodbye! And now, she left everything to

Israel's eyes reddened

mother-for leaving them when they were so young, for never

a clear, cool voice rang

might've felt, seeing how you treat someone else's daughter better than your own any quilt she had

to

the rooma

hand-no doubt meant for

in the living room had carried straight

Coleman didn't