The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 194

Rachel realized she was clenching her fists so hard that her nails were biting into her palms, but she didn't feel any pain.

The better you are at something, the easier you can see when someone's better than you. She knew, even if they faced off a thousand times, she'd never beat Stella.

Rachel's teeth were grinding in frustration, her gaze toward Stella filled with unmasked resentment and unwillingness. How could she lose to Stella of all people?!

Why?!

"Rachel." Haynes's clear and pleasant voice suddenly broke through the tension. "A bet's a bet."

No one had expected Stella to really win against Rachel. Not even him.

Even though he didn't understand music much and favored Rachel, he couldn't deny that Stella's performance was more enchanting to any normal ear.

Rachel trembled with indignation. Since returning from abroad, she had always kept Stella under her thumb. Though she had faced some embarrassment recently, Haynes had always been there to clean up the mess. But today, even Haynes wasn't on her side!

Seeing Rachel stand frozen, Stella said calmly, "Ms. Pearce, need a hand with that necklace, or can you manage on your own?"

Rachel's eyes were red with humiliation as she begrudgingly removed the necklace.

"This time... Ms. Cameron, you really came out on top."

With everyone watching, backing down now would make her lose both her dignity and reputation.

Rachel took a deep breath, trying to pull herself together. "Ms. Cameron, here you are."

She didn't want to part with the necklace and had flaunted it daily just to spite Stella. Giving it away wasn't much of a loss.

But that Nocturne Stella...

A glint of malice flickered in Rachel's eyes. She was determined to have it!