The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella tumbled straight into a strong pair of arms.

Even though Joshua reacted quickly, the waiter's tray still tipped, and a splash of wine spilled across Stella's gown.

The waiter's face went pale. He bowed repeatedly, stammering apologies.

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Cameron. I really didn't mean it! Please don't be upset— please..."

Stella's appearance had already drawn attention, but now, with the accident, more and more people were gathering, curious eyes turning their way.

"What's going on? Why's there a crowd over here?"

"It's nothing big. The waiter just spilled some wine on Stella's dress."

"Such a little thing, and yet everyone's watching. Is Stella giving the poor guy a hard time?"

"Tch, look at that—just a few days as a society darling, and now she's throwing her weight around? Guess a girl from nowhere can't keep it classy."

"Don't start rumors. The spill just happened, and Stella hasn't even said she'll make an issue of it."

It was a minor mishap, yet somehow it had become the center of everyone's attention.

Joshua's eyes narrowed, his gaze turning dark and unreadable. He kept his arm securely around Stella, shielding her from the crowd. He didn't seem bothered, but Haynes, watching from nearby, found the situation increasingly irritating.

and, with a firm hand, drew Stella away from Joshua's embrace. "Star,

and nodded. "I'm

trembling, stood off to the side, looking

your dress... I—I'll clean

the gown-someone like Stella probably wore dresses worth more than she could make

Stella wasn't the sort to create a scene over a ruined dress.

I can take care of

waitress sniffled. "Ms.

e'

the dressing

can change into something else."

like me to

couldn't walk around in a drea drenched in wine. She gave a gentle he She gave

that

drama defused, the crowd lost interest and gradually drifted

follow, but Foreman-who'd been standing behind

it's a

Stella turned in surprise.

didn't know

gave a calm