The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 554

Stella was caught off guard.

She’d assumed Rachel would beg her for help, or at least ask Keen to intervene. But to her surprise, Rachel showed a hint of backbone.

After watching Rachel for a few seconds, Stella eventually walked over and cut the ropes binding her. If anything went wrong later, at least they’d have another pair of hands.

Rachel rubbed her sore wrists and murmured, “Thank you.”

Stella didn’t reply. Instead, she turned her attention back to Keen.

“When we leave, stay close to me,” she said quietly.

Keen nodded vigorously. With his mother by his side, he didn’t feel quite as afraid.

About ten minutes later, the sound of a door unlocking echoed from the hallway. A burly, rough-looking man stepped inside. “Ms. Cameron, the boss wants to see you.”

“All right.”

Stella was about to leave when she felt a sudden tug on her sleeve. She turned and saw Keen gripping her arm tightly, his delicate face full of anxiety.

“Mom, don’t go,” he pleaded. “Those bad people might hurt you.”

Just like they hurt Rachel, he wanted to say.

Stella gently stroked his hair. “I’ll be fine. Trust me.”

She comforted Keen for a moment, then turned to Rachel. “Ms. Pearce, could you keep an eye on Keen for me?”

She nodded. “Mr. Moore, the money’s been delivered. Can we go now?”

Lind laughed softly. “What’s the rush, Ms. Cameron? Haynes hasn’t shown up yet. If I let you all go and something happens to you on the way out, who do you think he’ll blame? I’d be the one left holding the bag.”

Stella’s eyes narrowed slightly. She understood now—these people had no intention of letting them walk free. Not that she was surprised. Anyone bold enough to kidnap Haynes’s son and friends clearly had more on their mind than just money.

Thinking fast, Stella decided to keep him talking. “Mr. Moore, may I ask… do you have a personal grudge against Haynes?”

“Of course I do.” Lind ran his fingers along the scar on his cheek. “Years ago, the O’Brien Group forced my family’s company into bankruptcy trying to buy us out. We were left drowning in debt. My mother jumped off a building. My father went to prison. My little sister—she tried to pay off our debts, ended up selling herself to some sick bastard, and he tortured her to death.”

He looked up, his eyes cold and hard. “So, tell me. Do you think I have a reason to hate him?”