The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

As soon as Marvin's name was mentioned, Keen's face tensed.

"That troublemaker... he's in Solmaris too?"

Foreman inclined his head with a subtle nod.

Keen sprang to his feet. "Mr. Richards, I miss my mom. Can you take me to her?"

A faint, nearly imperceptible smile played at the corners of Foreman's mouth.

He put on a show of reluctance. "But Joshua told me not to let you wander around. If anything happens to you, I'll be the one to blame."

Keen pleaded, "I'll stick with my mom the whole time, I promise! Mr. Richards, don't worry. It's me insisting you take me if anything happens, it's not your fault."

Foreman finally nodded in agreement.

"All right, I'll take you to her."

...

At the party, glasses clinked and laughter filled the air.

Aurora, the reigning queen of high society, was in a league of her own. Despite the rumors swirling around her lately, joining the Williams Group had catapulted her right back into the center of attention-everyone was eager to be seen by her side.

Aurora was busier than ever, and even Skyler and his son found themselves surrounded by an eager throng. Israel, usually short-tempered and abrasive, was suddenly the

events; she never cared much for large gatherings. Aurora had already finished cutting the cake, and as tonight's true star, Aurora's presence overshadowed everyone else's. Stella knew no one would notice

Keen. She turned to Joshua and said,

"Sure," Joshua replied.

just started to leave when a

up

then: she hadn't

Stellat

had been taken too. And yet, Stella recalled, Leonard had shown up at the

Joshua." Simone greeted them with

about her

now. The lively

was gone,

as if storm clouds

her gaze. There

unsettling chill about her.

belongs to s

discreetly looked Simone over. She couldn't spot any obvious

had hurt her

something you need, Miss

Joshua for a few minutes? I'd like to speak with