The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1489

After leaving Israel's villa, Stella asked, "Joshua, are you hurt? Should we go to the hospital for a check-up?"

"No, Israel didn't hurt me," Joshua replied.

Stella wanted to ask how Israel had managed to capture him, but the words died on her lips.

"As long as you're okay," she said instead. "Williams Manor might not be safe anymore. Do you want to stay somewhere else for a while?"

"There's no need," Joshua said. "They have what they wanted. They shouldn't come after me again."

Since Joshua insisted, Stella didn't press the issue. Throughout the entire ordeal, she hadn't shown the slightest hint of regret or distress about giving up the shares. It was as if she had handed over a cup of coffee, not a massive stake in a corporation.

Joshua turned to look at the delicate profile of her fair face. "You must have had people in place before you came," he said suddenly. "Why didn't you send them in to storm the place?"

Stella kept her eyes on the road as she drove. "Since Israel chose to live-stream it, the shareholders would have never supported me again, even if I had successfully rescued you. Besides, Israel might have resorted to even more vicious tactics to get my founding shares. And a violent conflict could have easily gotten someone hurt. He's always held a grudge against you. There's a chance he might have done something reckless to get what he wanted."

Israel might not have harmed her, but Joshua... that was a different story.

After a moment of silence, Joshua's voice came from her side. "I'm sorry. You lost your shares because of me."

Stella shook her head. "If it weren't for the shares, they never would have kidnapped you. If anyone should be apologizing, it's me. I'm the one who dragged you into this."

Joshua's gaze lingered on her face. Her expression was a little somber, but her eyes were clear and bright. It was obvious she wasn't just saying what she thought he wanted to hear.

"Don't you suspect... that I was the one who leaked your trade secrets?" Joshua asked.

However, given Stella's history of cunning tricks, Israel didn't let his guard down. His people were watching her around the clock, wary of any schemes she might be planning. To his surprise, Stella quietly had the ten percent of common stock transferred to her name, seemingly resigned to her fate.

A smile played on Israel's lips. Once Stella's shares were in her account, their transaction would be complete, and her founding shares would be transferred to his name immediately.

As Israel was fantasizing about his future of power and influence, the phone on his desk suddenly rang. On the other end, his assistant's voice was filled with a panic that suggested the sky was falling.

"Mr. Israel, bad news!"

Israel, who was in a great mood, was annoyed by his assistant's tone. "What is it? Why are you in such a panic?"

His assistant's voice was laced with disbelief. "There... there was a fire! Your share transfer agreements... they were destroyed in the fire!"