The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 444

Haynes’ brow creased. “Send me her location. I’ll go find her myself.”

…

An hour later, Haynes finally returned with Stella by his side.

He barely paused before addressing Benson. “Tell security and the reception desk to hand in their resignations.”

“Yes, sir.” Benson was just about to leave when a woman’s cool, measured voice cut through the air.

“Mr. O’Brien, why take it out on innocent employees?”

There was the faintest trace of a smile in Stella’s eyes, but it never reached her expression.

“Wasn’t it you, Mr. O’Brien, who gave strict orders that I wasn’t allowed into the O’Brien Group? They were only following your instructions.”

She turned to Lacey, who stood rigidly nearby. “Isn’t that right, Lacey?”

Lacey’s face had gone pale, and she didn’t dare speak.

Last time Stella had tried to see Haynes, it had indeed been Haynes himself who’d said she was no longer allowed on the premises.

And just now, Haynes hadn’t given Lacey any heads-up that Stella would be coming.

Strictly speaking, Lacey hadn’t done anything wrong—except, perhaps, for her less-than-friendly attitude.

Haynes was silent for a few moments before speaking in a calm, detached tone. “Pass down the order. From now on, if Stella comes here, notify me first.”

“Yes, sir.” Benson replied, turning to go, but Stella’s voice stopped him.

“That won’t be necessary.” Her tone was light, emotionless. “I won’t be coming to the O’Brien Group again.”

She recalled how, just a while ago, Rachel had breezed right in without so much as a call, and the front desk hadn’t even blinked. But then, Haynes was always quick to bend the rules for Rachel.

Haynes’ expression was unreadable. “Maybe a bit of time behind bars would do him some good. For both your sakes.”

Tears welled up in Rachel’s eyes. “Haynes, all those years I was abroad, Jasper was the only one who encouraged me. If it weren’t for him, I might not have made it back alive.”

She looked at Haynes pleadingly. “Please, give Jasper another chance.” Wiping the tears from her eyes, she turned to Jasper. “Well? Aren’t you going to apologize to Ms. Cameron?”

Jasper’s pride bristled, but under Haynes’ gaze, he didn’t dare protest.

Reluctantly, he muttered, “Stella, I’m sorry.”

Stella watched him, unmoved, saying nothing.

She knew full well Haynes’ words weren’t really for her benefit. He was simply using the situation to put Jasper in his place.

After all, Jasper was the very definition of a liability.