The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 309

One of the security guards spoke up coldly. “Ma’am, may I see your invitation, please?”

This was the annual charity auction—a high-profile event, to say the least. Only the wealthy and powerful ever received invitations, and the items up for bidding were always rare and priceless. If someone with ill intentions managed to slip in, the consequences could be disastrous: a priceless treasure gone, or worse, a VIP hurt. Nobody wanted that kind of trouble, so every suspicious guest had to be treated with utmost seriousness.

Jasper jabbed a finger at Stella. “Go ahead and take her for questioning! If she doesn’t cooperate, feel free to get a little rough!”

Onlookers exchanged bewildered glances.

What’s going on here?

Some discarded wife? A gold-digger, maybe?

Wait—wasn’t this woman Neville’s wife?

Stella, surrounded by security and under the scrutiny of dozens of curious eyes, remained perfectly calm. Not a flicker of anxiety crossed her face. She reached into her clutch and pulled out an invitation, her fingers steady as ever.

“Here’s my invitation,” she said, handing it over.

Jasper froze for a second, then immediately barked, “It’s a fake! That invitation is forged!”

One of the guards took Stella’s invitation and ran it under the scanner. A clear beep sounded. Verified.

The guard’s expression softened.

Jasper’s breath caught in his throat. “No, that’s impossible! Absolutely impossible!”

Suddenly, he seemed to think of something else and jabbed his finger at Stella again, shouting, “She must have stolen someone else’s invitation!”

This time, before Stella could respond, a new voice cut through the tension—a man’s, low and almost lazy.