The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

It was more than likely that Karl had pinned the blame for this whole mess on Stella—why else would he be coming after her a second time?

After all, no man would tolerate such a humiliating attack, especially someone like Karl, who had a reputation to uphold.

Stella found herself agreeing with Joshua's logic.

Abby, on the other hand, was seething with anger and had nothing but contempt for Haynes. "Honestly, Haynes, you're more trouble than you're worth,” she spat. “We could've handled Star's problems ourselves. You didn't have to butt in and make everything worse.

I can't even tell if you were trying to avenge her, or just looking for an excuse to get back at her yourself. You stirred up all this trouble, but Karl's taking it out on Star. If you hadn't played hero last time, Karl wouldn't have it out for her, and the accident never would've happened.”

Abby couldn't deny the satisfaction she felt when Haynes struck back at Karl. But if you're going to stand up for Stella, at least clean up the mess you leave behind. Don't go picking a fight and then expect her to pay the price. That's not helping—it's making things worse.

Haynes frowned, his tone even. “Like I said, I only sent someone to rough him up a little. I never told anyone to humiliate him. And I never tried to hide that it was me who did it.”

He hadn't exactly covered his tracks. Anyone who bothered to look would figure out he was behind it. Haynes wasn't afraid of Karl's retaliation-in fact, he'd been careful not to go too far, precisely because he didn't want Karl turning his anger on Stella.

Still, despite his precautions, that's exactly what Karl had done.

Abby's glare grew colder, her disdain for Haynes clear as day. Coward. You had the guts to stir up trouble, but not to face the consequences—and now Stella's left to deal with the fallout. Has Rachel really scrambled your brains this badly? Take responsibility for your own actions, for once. That's what a real man would do.

In her mind, Abby silently tallied every one of Haynes's faults.

She was about to let him have it when Stella cut in.

"That's enough, Abby."

What's done was done no amount of arguing would change it now.

Stella turned to Haynes. "If there's nothing else, you should go. Joshua needs to rest.”

Haynes wasn't the type to explain himself, and the fact that he'd bothered to say this much to Abby was unusual for him. His gaze shifted back to Joshua. “He still hasn't answered my question.”

Stella thought Haynes was being unreasonable, and was about to speak when, at last, Joshua—who'd been silent the whole time-finally spoke.

"That's right. I did it.”

Everyone turned to look at him.

Joshua was propped up in bed, his voice calm. "He nearly killed me and Ms. Cameron in that crash. If I wanted a little payback, I don't think anyone could blame me. He tried to take my life; I just made sure he got a taste of humiliation. I'd say I was being generous.

Besides..." Joshua paused, glancing at Foreman with a sly, knowing smile. "I can't take all the credit. The idea actually came from someone else. Left to my own devices, I never would've thought of something so clever. You've got to admit, coming up with a plan like that takes a special kind of talent. Don't you agree, Mr. Richards?" noveldrama

For a split second, Foreman felt as if Joshua saw straight through him-but that had to be impossible. Even Haynes didn't know the truth. He'd covered his tracks perfectly. There was no way Joshua could know.

Subconsciously, Foreman glanced at Stella, but her expression was utterly calm, as if Joshua's words meant nothing to her. Only then did he relax.

He forced a smile. “Joshua, you give me too much credit."

Neither Stella nor Abby seemed to take Joshua's claim seriously, either.

None of them really believed Joshua was capable of pulling off something like this. Aside from Haynes—who couldn't shake the feeling that Joshua was involved—only Rachel seemed to suspect something was off.