The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 206

"Mr. O'Brien, you really should be asking him, not me," Stella snapped, her voice dripping with irritation. "If you called just to grill me about this, I won't be answering your calls anymore."

Haynes' voice came through the line, sharp and cold. "Stay where you are. If you try to leave with Keen, I'll have no choice but to have you detained."

Stella's heart skipped a beat. Haynes mentioned that Keen was at the amusement park, and she had planned to search for him there. But Haynes' condescending tone quickly soured her mood.

"Mr. O'Brien, you once said that if you want a favor, you should at least act like you need it," Stella retorted.

Haynes sounded incredulous, "A favor? You think I'm asking you for a favor?"

"Are you not? Or do you think you can just order me around?" Stella didn't wait for his response. "Who do you think you are? Why should I listen to you?"

"Haynes, you need to remember your place. I'm not some servant you can boss around."

With that, Stella ended the call.

Returning to the park bench by the lake, Stella realized that Neville, who had been waiting there, was nowhere in sight.

Marvin had gone to the restroom, which was tucked away behind some trees near the lake.

Stella was just about to head in that direction when she heard a sudden splash followed by gasps from people nearby.

"Someone fell in the water! Two kids fell in!"

"Oh my God, they look so young, maybe just five years old!"

"Where are their parents?"

"Can anyone swim? Somebody needs to help them!"