The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella looked at him, her admiration genuine and heartfelt.

"Joshua, you're brilliant."

Joshua set the breakfast down on the table. "With Shawn missing, this really is the best solution for now."

Haynes, of course, wasn't a fool. He understood perfectly well that leveraging the situation for some benefit was the smartest way to handle things.

But if Stella simply couldn't swallow this injustice, he was more than willing to help her get what she deserved.

She'd already made too many concessions because of him, endured too many slights.

Haynes was done watching Stella compromise for anyone or anything.

...

When Skyler and Jonathan arrived at the hospital, they spotted Shawn's father leaving the building, his face lit with delight.

The two exchanged a wary glance.

What's going on?

over demanding Shawn's return, even threatening

sudden change in attitude

it be that Shawn had

him, Jonathan's expression hardened. He strode

in a hurry. Did you find

and caught

from his face. "Not

wasn't orchestrated by Leonard, then it had to be someone from the

was the least likely suspect. After taking her medication, she'd fallen unconscious almost immediately. There was no way she'd

someone from the Williams family. They certainly played the part well—maybe they'd grabbed Shawn to hold the Pearce

grudge, had crossed swords with Shawn's

smiles. "Pearce, were you just seeing Star at the

Ms. Cameron landed in the hospital because of my good-for-nothing son. It's only right

took Jonathan aback. He'd expected Shawn's father to be just as brash and

his smile stayed in

you think Jonathan would have vouched for Shawn? Star's barely returned to the Williams family, and she nearly had something happen to her right under our noses. Put yourself in her shoes how do you think she feels? And as her brother, how is Jonathan supposed to face her now? Pearce, don't blame me

Shawn's father scoffed. All these words—wasn't it just a

replied, "I've