The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 2016

Mr. Burton glared at Leonard. "With me here, you think I'd let that happen?

Are you questioning my medical expertise?"

Obviously, a legendary physician like Mr. Burton wasn't going to be stumped by a fever.

But seeing Stella lying there so pale and lifeless was tearing Leonard apart.

"She's going to need to stay here and recover for quite a while," Mr. Burton continued.

"But we're a house full of rough men. It's not exactly ideal for her care.

Give Abby Murphy a call. Tell her to get over here."

Leonard forced himself to focus. "Got it."

...

When Abby answered the phone, she genuinely thought it was a wrong number.

Leonard Lerman was calling her?

His voice came through the line, tight and cold.

"Stella has a high fever and won't wake up. She needs someone to look after her.

I've already sent a car to your apartment. Just get in."

Abby immediately bristled.

"What kind of kidnapping scheme are you trying to pull now, Lerman?"

Just as the words left her mouth, she heard a faint, agonizingly familiar murmur through the receiver.

"Joshua... Joshua..."

Abby recognized Stella's voice instantly.

She really was sick!

Before Abby could demand more details, Leonard hung up.

Abby didn't even bother changing her clothes; she just grabbed her keys and bolted out the door.

...

Three days later, Stella's fever finally broke, and she slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Abby, whose eyes were red and swollen from crying.

Stella's eyes turned icy, radiating pure venom.

"He kidnapped the real Dr. Winter and got extensive plastic surgery to steal her identity.

He kept her locked up, forcing her to write out the treatment plans so he wouldn't blow his cover.

That's why Laurel and Mr. Burton didn't notice any red flags with the medical files."

Abby was thoroughly horrified. She couldn't fathom that Foreman had become this unhinged.

"He couldn't have just done plastic surgery. He must have had gender reassignment surgery too, right?"

Just a face-lift wouldn't have been enough to fool a house full of medical experts.

Stella gave a slight nod.

Abby shuddered. "He is absolutely terrifying. Going under the knife to change his sex just to stay near you!"

Who could ever imagine a man supposedly in love going to such psychotic lengths?

By becoming a woman, he was guaranteeing he'd never have a romantic future with Stella.

"What's your plan now, Stella?" Abby asked.