The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua said, “Star is Keen's mother, but she's not your wife anymore. Sure, you're Keen's father, but you and Star-whatever was between you ended a long time ago. So really, there's nothing here to argue about."

Stella fell silent.

Joshua's tongue was as sharp as ever, she thought.

After Joshua disappeared overnight, neither Stella nor Haynes thought much of it. They just assumed he'd stayed to look after Keen.

Haynes was never one for pointless arguments, especially not childish bickering like this. He couldn't be bothered to respond to Joshua, so he turned to Stella instead.

"Star, you don't need to stress about the money. I'll help you figure it out," Haynes said gently. "Right now, the O'Brien Group can free up about five hundred million dollars in liquid assets. I'll find a way to cover the rest. Don't worry-I promise, within three days, I'll get you everything you need."

Joshua glanced at Stella in surprise. "Why do you suddenly need so much cash?"

her plan to acquire

over, he won't be so easy to deal with anymore. Besides, even if we

rather than letting the Williams family use me as a bargaining chip to squeeze benefits from the Pearces and then walk away with the spoils, I'd rather act first and claim what I deserve. At least then, all this suffering won't be

entirely Stella's own

exactly why Haynes realized just how

much as gain and loss. If Stella insisted on pursuing the issue, all she'd get in the end was a

nothing ef

on the other hand, would absolutely seize this opportunity to force the Pearces to cough up some concessions. Then, once things settled, they'd

the mark of someone who'd

Haynes felt a tightness in his chest. How much had Stella been through to become so calm and clear-eyed about weighing