The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes nodded, his expression tense.

Every second they delayed was another second Stella remained in danger.

Just as Joshua gripped his handgun, ready to kick down the door, it swung open abruptly from the inside.

Foreman stepped out, his face grave.

He paused for a split second at the sight of the three men standing outside, but showed no sign of surprise.

"You're just in time," he said steadily. "Stella's taking a cold bath right now. She needs a doctor."

Haynes narrowed his eyes. "Foreman, what are you doing here with Stella?"

Foreman didn't flinch. "Stella left Keen with Joshua, but she was worried and wanted to check on her herself. I happened to be nearby, so I tagged along."

Jonathan, who'd arrived looking for his sister, gave a slight nod-he recalled seeing Foreman around earlier.

Foreman glanced at the group. "Shouldn't you get a doctor first? We can talk later."

Haynes shot Foreman a searching look, then turned briskly to fetch a physician. Jonathan, as Stella's older brother, would never leave his sister in the care of two men at a moment like this, so he followed Joshua into the room.

As the two entered, Foreman's gaze followed them, a shadow flickering across his eyes.

He'd abandoned his earlier intentions the moment Joshua had called him. With Joshua already suspicious, there was no way he could make a move on Stella

now.

simply hadn't been enough

she hadn't completely lost consciousness. When Foreman helped her into the bathroom, she'd even

the drugs to take full effect, he'd have needed more

didn't have

would have meant burning

worth losing so much for a fleeting moment

always known how to bide

scheme and maneuver

He had plenty of patience

***

grand ballroom, the scandalous photos and videos of Simone were finally taken off the screens amid chaos and

party had quickly morphed into a

by Aurora almost as

the turmoil, restoring order and smoothing

While Simone's disgrace provided

it did

under pressure won her widespread admiration.

wonder, she's the city's top debutante," someone remarked

without missing a

Skyler, you mus

so proud

daughter

s