The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"She might not feel embarrassed, but I'm cringing for her!"

Stella's lips curled into a cool, almost icy smile. Her eyes glinted with shards of frost.

"Israel, you know, one of the greatest human delusions is thinking you're more important than you really are.

You honestly believe I'm desperate to compete with Aurora, even though I'm supposedly not half as good as she is? What exactly about her do you think is worth my envy?

Am I supposed to be jealous because she's prettier than me? Or is it the fact that she's had the best education money can buy since she was a child, yet her violin skills are nothing special? Or let me guess-am I envious that Aurora has barely any shares in the family business, not even a seat at the table?

I've heard of people being jealous of those who are better than them. But jealous of someone who's worse off? That's a new one. Does your mind always work like this, Israel? Or do you spend your days envying the homeless on the street- wishing you could sleep in the cold, go hungry, and be stepped on by everyone who passes?"

Facing Israel's furious glare, Stella raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe you're a glutton for punishment, Israel?"

Israel jabbed a finger at her, his lips trembling with rage, but he couldn't get a single word out.

"Stella, you-!"

He wanted to challenge her, but even he couldn't bring himself to claim Stella was ugly-she was every bit as stunning as Aurora, if not more. And in terms of violin —yes, her hand had been injured, but she'd already beaten Harry, something Aurora could never dream of. Most importantly, Stella held original shares in the family business, a privilege not even Jonathan had.

escalate, finally interjected. "Israel, go get some rest. I'll

head, Israel shot Stella one last angry look

Jonathan sighed. "Sorry, Star. We made assumptions

Pearce, called me in tears,

guts to lay a finger

I'll handle it. Shawn won't

power dynamics in Solmaris

Business and polities had always been intertwined, and the Williams family thrived in Solmaris

the only reason Stella had held back when Shawn first grabbed her hand. Last time, she'd had no choice but

financiers she wasn't foolish

enough to make enemies

everywhere she went.

belongs to s

now, she'd managed to offend nearly every family

up to anyone, no matter how unsavory, as long as there was something in it for

from the very start, so she never expected Jonathan to truly

there's nothing else, I'll head upstairs