The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

But Stella's path was far more treacherous.

Not only was no one there to give her a helping hand-some people were even hell-bent on placing obstacles in her way, using every trick in the book to trip her up as she tried to move forward.

She might hold a significant share of the company, but she was still a long way from having true control.

The shares Nora left her were likely just a last resort-a reluctant backup plan. If Nora had her way, Stella probably would have been free to chase her dreams, to do what she loved, rather than being thrust into this corporate battlefield.

Nora had spent enough time inside the Williams Group to know how toxic it was. Even those at the top were forced to compromise. Men like Joshua, Leonard Lerman, Haynes O'Brien-they may have eventually taken the reins, but it had taken them years of maneuvering. Who knows what underhanded tactics they'd had to use behind closed doors just to get there.

And even after finally claiming the throne, they still had to fight tooth and nail to keep their grip on it. One misstep, one sign of weakness, and the vultures would be circling, ready to tear them down.

That's why Joshua had rushed home to deal with the family crisis-there was no room for hesitation. That's why Leonard had been thrown into chaos by Stella's live broadcast.

power would take forever. And in the end,

on the other hand, had the full backing of the Williams family. With their support, she could

being lifted up, Stella was being dragged down at every turn.

the table. "Have you decided which company you want to

any of them could

added, "I've sent the information on all three to Neville Connolly. I want to get his opinion before I

new to the business world and keenly aware she had a lot to

her a hand with business matters. Stella wasn't foolish

asking

the thought immediately. She didn't trust any of the Williams brothers—and she certainly wasn't about to give Jonathan a