The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Rachel studied Joshua from across the room, trying to read the emotions playing across his face.

Everyone else treated his words as a joke, but Rachel knew better. Joshua never admitted to anything unless it was irrefutably true.

This time was no exception. He'd done exactly what he claimed.

And honestly, she wasn't even surprised.

After everything he'd been through—after suffering so much-anyone would have lashed out. The real surprise would be if he hadn't.

Haynes fixed Joshua with a cold, unblinking stare. “So, you're admitting it?”

Joshua gave a calm, almost nonchalant nod, projecting the air of a man with nothing to hide.

"There's nothing here I'm afraid to admit."

A faint, mocking smile played at the corners of Haynes' mouth. "Since you're so honest, why don't you tell us what else you've been up to behind our backs?"

Joshua looked thoughtful, as if genuinely considering it. “Let me see..... give me a second."

Then his gaze flicked to Rachel, and he offered her a sly, knowing smile.

Rachel's heart skipped a beat—a cold sense of dread creeping in.

And, sure enough, her fears were realized a moment later when Joshua's voice rang out again, clear and steady.

“Actually, I've known Ms. Rachel, Mr. O'Brien's good friend, for quite some time. By some twist of fate, she once became my salvation—so I've done a lot for her over the years.

Paid off a doctor, faked medical records? That was me, helping her out.

Remember that kidnapping incident? Ms. Pearce didn't think it through. I had to step in and clean up the mess —otherwise, you'd have found her out in no time.

Not long ago, I also helped her rig the votes and fudge the numbers, just to make sure she didn't lose too badly—no need to let her fall flat on her face.

And—oh, right—I deliberately got close to Ms. Cameron, just to help Ms. Pearce steal some intel."

Rachel felt her blood run cold. She was so shocked she nearly forgot how to breathe.

She hadn't seen Haynes in ages—he'd been dodging her texts, always claiming to be swamped at work.

Desperate, she'd stopped by The

O'Brien Group offices, hoping to catch him. As soon as she arrived she saw Foreman and Haynes heading out, saying they were on their way to the hospital to visit

Stella and Joshua.

She'd pleaded with Haynes to take her along, but he refused, brushing her off again and again.

It was Foreman, ever the

peacemaker, who finally convinced

him. "Let her come-it's on the way, and she could use a check-up herself."

Rachel was curious, too. She wanted to know if Joshua really was behind what happened to Karl.

She hadn't expected Joshua to admit to that. But to spill everything else too? To drag their private history out into the open?

He was reckless—like a truck with faulty brakes, ready to go off at any moment.

Rachel felt like she was losing her mind.

Joshua met Haynes' gaze, a faint smile returning to his lips. "So, Mr. O'Brien, what do you plan to do about me and Ms. Pearce?"

Haynes' voice was icy. "Utter nonsense. Not worth my time."

He didn't buy any of it—not a word. Rachel finally exhaled, relief washing over her.

Realizing they wouldn't get anything more out of Joshua, Haynes and the others headed out.

Once they were gone, Abby shot

Joshua a grin and gave him a

thumbs-up. "Nice work, Joshuanoveldrama

That's exactly how you deal with

people like them.

Honestly, the nerve of Haynes—coming in here and trying to pin the blame on us. Maybe he should take a good look at Rachel first!"

Stella and Abby sometimes gossiped about Rachel faking her illness, so it wasn't surprising Joshua knew all the inside details.

Abby turned to Stella. “Did you see Rachel just now? She looked like she wanted to bolt out of here the second she got called out.

Too bad Haynes is still blind enough to trust her. Next time, Joshua should be the one to set them straight. Don't you agree, Star?"

Stella nodded softly. “Thank you, Joshua, for standing up for me.”

Joshua just shrugged, at a rare loss for words.