The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 1181

"But-"

Before she could finish, the call was abruptly cut off.

Jake stared at his phone, the dial tone echoing in his ears. For a long moment, he was at a loss for words.

Across the room, Harold, buried in his paperwork, glanced up and caught sight of Jake's stunned expression. From their earlier conversation, he'd already gathered

the gist.

He sighed. "See? I told you-Mr. Gardner's patience only goes so far. The only reason he's put up with it this long is out of respect for her."

Jake finally snapped out of his daze. "Which just goes to show-Stella is Mr. Gardner's real Achilles' heel."

Harold shrugged. "I wouldn't be so sure. We used to think she was special too, didn't we? But look how that turned out."

Jake looked up suddenly. "And what makes you so certain she isn't still special to him?"

Harold blinked, momentarily thrown. He opened his mouth to argue, but no counterpoint came.

Who really knows

Mr. Gardner treats Stella—and the one before her differently from everyone

and Harold exchanged a knowing smile. Some things didn't need

a passing amusement

long-she confessed

gaze and relentless mind games left her with nowhere to

the floor

spilling everything, Rachel still clung to a shred of hope that Joshua would save

I know. Now... will you let me go? If Joshua finds out what you've

took the towel from his assistant, wiping his

care.

Joshua played

towel aside. "Did you really think he was on

to look up. "You're just trying to turn me against him. I

and settled onto the

ask you to lie? Anyone with half a brain knows that one lie leads to a thousand more He went to all trouble to cover for you-bribed the doctor, faked your medical records-when it would've been easier to just throw

he could've made you a real star overnight—if he'd wanted to. Instead, he left you with nothing but empty numbers and a

always exposed