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.

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

rubbing his aching, dizzy head, Israel shot Stella one last angry look before he retreated

he was gone, Jonathan sighed. "Sorry, Star. We made assumptions and

Mrs. Pearce, called me

would have the guts to lay a finger on someone from the

handle it. Shawn won't get off

intricate power dynamics in

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

held back when Shawn first grabbed her hand. Last

financiers she wasn't foolish

enough to make enemies

everywhere she went.

belongs to s

now, she'd managed to offend nearly every family

cozy up to anyone, no matter how unsavory, as long as there

very start, so she never expected Jonathan to truly take

"If there's nothing