The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1692

Simone said, "If you could find a way to spend some time with Stella, she might start to see you differently. You share common interests and have a lot to talk about. And didn't she give you that calico cat? If she saw how well you've been taking care of it, she would definitely be impressed. People like Stella, artists, tend to be compassionate. If she could forgive Joshua, she can certainly forgive you."

Leonard's deep gaze rested on Simone. "You want me to kidnap Stella, which would conveniently create an opportunity for you to be with Joshua, right?"

A chill ran down Simone's spine.

He had seen right through her.

Deciding to drop the act, Simone looked him straight in the eye, a strange smile playing on her lips.

"And you don't want that? If you didn't, why do you have her under surveillance day after day? Seeing how she treats Joshua… don't you want her to treat you the same way?"

Leonard's eyes narrowed, his gaze sharpening like a blade.

Simone had intended to provoke him further, but the intensity of his gaze silenced her.

-

The Williams Group, Stella's Office.

Abby walked in with a file, beaming as she gave her report.

Stella looked at Abby. "Aurora may have majored in music, but she's been minoring in business this whole time. She's not like me, a complete amateur who came into this late. She definitely knows what she's doing. She befriends the heads of powerful families and uses them as tools for her own advancement. Don't you think, Abby, that getting help from people like that is much faster than working your way up on your own?"

Abby pouted. "That just proves she has no real talent, just a knack for flirting her way to the top."

"But her approach is undeniably the fastest way to achieve her goals," Stella said. "We see it as selling out, but to Aurora, her beauty is her most valuable asset—and the one with the biggest payoff. As for why we've been able to keep her down…"

Stella closed the file, her voice calm and rational.

"It's because Joshua is just that good. If I didn't have his help, coming into this with nothing and knowing nothing, how could I possibly have stood a chance against Aurora?"