The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Foreman couldn't hold back any longer. "Why was he in your office?"

Joshua replied, "I'm Star's bodyguard. Is it really that strange for me to be in her office? But tell me, Mr. Richards, why are you so interested in Star's private life and who she spends time with? To an outsider, it almost looks like you're here to catch her cheating."

Foreman's emotions slowly settled. His eyes darkened, a quiet intensity simmering beneath the surface.

"Joshua, you may be Star's bodyguard, but you're still a man. There are boundaries you need to respect. You have no idea how ugly the rumors are getting out there. This isn't Novaris-no one's going to cover for Star here. If you keep acting recklessly, you'll only end up hurting her."

Joshua met his gaze, his tone layered with meaning. "If we're talking about hurting Star, I'd say you've done more than enough, Mr. Richards. Last time, if you hadn't brought Keen along to get in my way, do you think Shawn would've had the chance to set her up?"

Stella interjected gently, turning to Joshua. "Joshua, what happened last time wasn't Foreman's fault. Keen later admitted he insisted on coming to find us, and Foreman just couldn't talk him out of it. Besides, when it came to Shawn, it was Foreman who showed up in time and got me out safely. If I'd passed out in that hallway, things could've ended much worse."

Joshua's dark eyes clouded, but he didn't argue further. He knew Foreman had been involved in plenty of questionable things, but he had no hard proof. Foreman was always extremely careful about these matters. And besides, Stella had known Foreman far longer than she'd known him. Before Joshua ever entered the picture, Foreman had already helped Stella on numerous occasions. In Stella's mind, she probably trusted Foreman more than him.

the consequences. Now, faced with someone he couldn't stand but also couldn't get rid of, he

him, finally allowed a faint, refined smile to appear

quietly, "Star, maybe you should reconsider. Haynes and I can get the money together—it's just that the deadline

had no choice

had no

help Stella, but in the

Stella's feelings, he didn't

contingency plans. If this investor turns out to be a fraud, I'll put the original shares up for sale. When that happens, I'll have a significant amount of money coming in. If you lose anything, I'll

just then, someone knocked

entered, carrying a

"Ms. Cameron, I've