The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1742

But Stella didn't fully trust him.

For all she knew, he could be doing this for Aurora's sake—deliberately framing McCoy to drive a wedge between her and Lauretta, and to create suspicion between the siblings.

His sudden declaration of love for her could very well be part of the act. After all, Sherman Burton had once pretended to be interested in her for Aurora's benefit.

Stella turned to Lauretta. "Lauretta, let's go inside and talk."

As their eyes met, Lauretta began to calm down. That was right. This was all just Leonard's side of the story. He could easily be lying to turn them against each other.

Lauretta took a shallow breath. "Okay."

As the two were about to leave, Leonard blocked Stella's path.

His eyes were dark. "Stella, you don't believe me?"

His expression tightened. "Have you ever given anyone a reason to?"

Leonard had never been a man of many words, and for a moment, he was at a loss.

Stella turned to Lauretta. "Let's go."

"Okay," Lauretta nodded.

Leonard, not ready to give up, started to follow them to explain, but Aurora, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

"Leonard, just let Star go. She has her own judgment and won't believe someone's story at face value... especially not yours."

Aurora straightened her messy hair and smiled. "Don't push her so hard. You have to give her some space to figure things out for herself."

Stella merely gave Aurora a cool glance before leaving with Lauretta.

In that one moment, all of Leonard's strange behavior and demands from the past suddenly made sense.

Aurora couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Hearing her, Leonard frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at how pathetic you are," Aurora said. "To fall in love with the woman you personally hurt. You know what Stella's like. No matter what you do, she'll never forgive you, much less believe you."

Leonard's expression turned cold. "My business is none of your concern."

Aurora smiled. "Leonard, did you see the ring on Stella's hand? I saw one just like it on Joshua's."

Leonard's lips tightened into a thin line.

"I heard from my father that Stella and Joshua are getting married soon," Aurora continued. "They've even finished renovating their house. If I hadn't gone missing, they would have been engaged by now. Stella mentioned in a chat with Abby that she's moving in with Joshua very soon."