The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 42

Neville flashed a wry smile. "Mr. O'Brien, when Star got cornered earlier, you weren't here to save her. Are you trying to steal my thunder now?"

Haynes' eyes darkened, lost for words.

Standing nearby, Rachel piped up in Haynes' defense. "Haynie just got here. He didn't mean to leave Ms. Cameron hanging."

Neville's lips curled. "When the reporters swarmed Ms. Pearce, Mr. O'Brien reprimanded them quickly. Yet, when they slandered Star with all sorts of rumors, there wasn't a peep out of him in her defense."

Rachel cut in impatiently, "Ms. Cameron has already admitted to some of those claims herself. They're facts now, not rumors. If you don't believe it, Mr. Connolly, why not ask her yourself?"

Neville didn't even glance at Rachel, his focus fixed on Haynes. "Mr. O'Brien, is that what you think, too?"

Haynes' eyes were deep, his gaze lingering on Stella. "Are you coming down or not?"

It seemed Neville's words were falling on deaf ears. Talking to Haynes was like talking to a brick wall. Stella spoke softly, "Mr. Connolly, can you please take me to the hospital first?"

Neville chuckled lightly, "At your service, Star."

As Neville carried Stella past Haynes, a cool breeze followed in their wake.

...

At the hospital, the doctor examined Stella's foot. It was just a minor scrape, nothing serious.

Neville stepped out to take a call, and Stella, leaning back in the chair, drifted off to sleep.

Her dreams were a jumble of bizarre images. Rachel's malicious grin appeared, and then Haynes and Keen pushed her into a nightmarish abyss.