The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 931



A sly, almost mocking smile played at the corners of Leonard Lerman's mouth.

"This violin may just be a relic, but its former owner was, in a roundabout way, responsible for Aurora Williams losing her mother. Smashing it to pieces-that might offer a little comfort to Aurora's mother, wherever she is now."

Leonard moved with the practiced confidence of someone who'd trained his whole life; his strength was undeniable.

Stella Cameron could only watch in horror as the violin-her beloved Nocturne Stella-splintered bit by bit right in front of her eyes.

"Let me go! Let me go, you bastards!" she shouted, fighting to break free, but the bodyguards at her side held her fast, their grips unyielding.

The violin snapped clean in two before her, jagged wood chips scattering across the floor. Stella stared at Leonard, her gaze darkening with hatred.

Leonard had seen that look countless times before; it didn't faze him in the slightest. In fact, his grin only widened, sparkling with the childish delight of someone who'd just found a new favorite toy.

"I pointed a gun at your head, and you didn't even flinch. But a violin? That's what finally gets to you? Is it really worth more to you than your own life?"

A film of tears shimmered in Stella's eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling. Tears were useless-her mother had taught her that. She bit down hard, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Leonard looked her over, amused. "I thought you were tougher than this. But look at you without a man to fight your battles, you're nothing."

Stella lifted her chin and met his gaze. "You say I rely on men, but what about you? Isn't your whole life propped up by your family's power? If you can't stand on your own, what makes you any better than me?"

Leonard bent down, patting her head with mock affection as if she were a pet. "You know, you almost make a good point. Unfortunately for you, my backers are stronger than yours. So you'll always be at my mercy."

He straightened, flashing a warm smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, and I almost forgot—I love seeing you like this. Helpless, wounded, and utterly powerless."

Stella's gaze fell to the ruined violin at her feet, her eyes bloodshot with rage and grief. Her voice came out as a strangled whisper, forced through clenched teeth. "So just because you think I tarnished Aurora's reputation, you decided to ruín me? Did it ever occupto you that I might not even be the one who did it?"

Leonard's expression barely flickered. "Doesn't matter. Let's just call it a bit of insurance for Aurora getting rid of a potential threat." He paused, then smiled again, almost kindly. "Besides, I never liked you much."

Anyone who could make both Simone Lerman and Aurora despise them was bound to end up on Leonard's bad side.

Stella's eyes flickered like a candle flame, hope and fear warring in her chest. She had a sinking feeling that she wouldn't get out of this unscathed.

...

Solmaris, the Williams estate.

Aurora still bore an ugly scar on her arm from when she shielded Simone from the acid attack. Leonard had pulled every string to assemble the best medical team for her surgery.

The operation had gone perfectly, and since Aurora hated hospitals, she'd insisted on recuperating at home With Leonard away onnoveldrama

business, Simone stayed by her side, caring for her.

As Simone helped Aurora to her room, her eyes immediately landed on the painting hanging in the center of the wall. There was a flicker of surprise in Simone's gaze.

"Big brother actually parted with that painting for you?"

Aurora glanced at her. "Does Leonard really like it that much?"

Simone gave a wry smile. "Absolutely."

Aurora admired the artist's style herself. "Leonard told me he's collected a lot of Summer's paintings. Is he really that much of a fan?"

Simone nodded. "Back when we weren't so well-off, there weren't many artists Leonard admired whose work he could actually afford."


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