The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 1253

Foreman knelt numbly, his fingers trembling as he picked up the broken pieces.

Stella had never seen him like this before, and a wave of guilt washed over her. "Foreman, are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

He didn't look up, his expression lost in shadow. After a long moment, he finally managed a hoarse, "I'm fine."

"Foreman, Joshua didn't do it on purpose," Stella tried to explain. "Please don't be angry with him. The music box..."

Before she could finish, Joshua cut in. "Don't worry, Mr. Richards. I'll find a way to have it repaired, or I'll track down that sculptor and commission an identical one."

*Identical?* Foreman scoffed inwardly. This music box was one of a kind. There would never be another one like it.

His gaze drifted to her desk and landed on the preserved rose, the very one he had once thrown to the ground, causing a few petals to fall. It now sat in a place of honor, the most prominent spot in her office.

his line of sight and her eyes flickered. She stepped forward, subtly

it's almost lunchtime. Let me treat

lowered his

just happened, bringing Joshua along would have been completely tone-deaf. She turned to him. "Joshua, you'll have to get lunch

argue. "Okay. Call

way a boss spoke to a subordinate; it was the

Joshua stared at the scattered fragments on the floor, his eyes dark and unreadable. He carefully swept up the pieces

he went downstairs, bag in hand. Harold was

the bag. "Have this examined. See if you can find anything

sir," Harold said, taking the

as Harold drove off, a soft, pleasant voice called out from

"Joshua."

on her face. It's been a while. Have you been busy? She sounded like an old friend, her tone casual and free of