The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 22

Haynes had a grip like a vice, and Stella felt a sharp, piercing pain in her wrist.

She gritted her teeth against the pain and looked up at the man, her voice cold and steady. "I heard you. So, what now?"

Missing the underlying meaning in Stella's words, Jasper exclaimed, "What now? You apologize to Rachel, of course!"

Foreman sighed silently to himself. If Stella had intended to apologize to Rachel, she wouldn't have asked, "What now." She meant she heard Haynes but didn't want to say sorry.

Haynes fixed his cold, piercing eyes on Stella's face. "I'll say it one last time. Apologize to Rachel."

Stella lifted her gaze, meeting his with defiance. "Haynes, how often have you told me to apologize to Rachel? If you're not tired of saying it, I'm tired of hearing it."

She smirked, "You and Rachel enjoy apologies so much. Maybe I should hire some folks to apologize to you round the clock."

Jasper was fuming. "Stella, you messed up and don't even want to apologize? Have some decency!"

Stella shrugged, her tone a masterclass in indifference. “If you’re so convinced of my crimes, Jasper, dial the police yourself. I’ll wait.”

Jasper’s finger jabbed toward her, trembling with the force of his fury. “You—” The word choked off, strangled by his own rage.

Then it came—a searing pain that lanced through her wrist, as though the bones themselves were splintering under some invisible vise. She flinched, a faint pallor stealing over her features. Yet Haynes’ gaze remained locked on her, unyielding.

"Mr. O'Brien." Stella wasn't about to play tough in a situation like this. It would only end badly for her. "You're about to crush my wrist."