The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Our family-the Williamses-is hardly some struggling household. We can easily

afford to give her a little allowance and spending money.

The very next day after she came back to the Williams family, we handed her a

bank card. While the amount isn't enormous, it's a hundred thousand dollars

every month.

That money is just for her personal spending. As for clothes, makeup, jewelry,

handbags, even her car-those are all provided by the Williams family.

If she ever needed a large sum for something special and her allowance wasn't

enough, all she had to do was let us know.

We have never restricted her finances. Even after she ran away from home, we

didn't freeze her card.

And now you're telling me she fainted from exhaustion because she was working

a part-time job..."

Jonathan let out a cold laugh. "A hundred grand a month just for pocket money-

hell, that would be enough even for Aurora.

Are you sure she could possibly spend that much?

And this story about us not giving her any living expenses-did Stella tell you

that?"

Lauretta bristled at Jonathan's tone, as if he thought Stella was just playing the

victim.noveldrama

Her expression cooled. "Mr. Williams, can you really be sure Stella even spent the

allowance you gave her?"

A hint of mocking disdain flickered across Jonathan's face.

"So you're trying to tell me that Stella is so proud she'd rather work herself to

exhaustion than touch a single cent from the Williams family?

Please. Are you sure it's pride, and not just an inability to handle hardship?"

Lauretta opened her mouth to respond, but fell silent.

She realized that no matter what she said, Jonathan would always assume the

worst of Stella.

She'd said Stella fainted from overworking, but instead of asking if Stella was all

right, Jonathan only harped on how generous the family was, as if Stella was just

refusing to accept their kindness.

There was no way to have a real conversation with him.

She had once admired Jonathan, even felt proud to have married him.

But now, all Lauretta felt toward the man in front of her was a deep, bitter

disappointment.

She had begun to regret marrying him at all.

Jonathan noticed the

disappointment in Lauretta's eyes.

He frowned, about to say something,

but Lauretta had already schooled

her features into composure.

She said coolly, "The party is about to begin. If there's nothing else, Mr. Williams,

I'll excuse myself."

Without waiting for his response, Lauretta turned and walked away.

...

Back in the ballroom, the crowd had grown even larger.

To Lauretta's surprise, not only was Neville here, but Haynes and Antoney had

also arrived.

She guessed Star must have sent them invitations.

Lauretta, along with Wendy and

Katrina, had spent a few months at

Neo Vespera and met Haynes and

Neville a few times.

They already knew Antoney from their university days; the group had been rather

close back then.

At the moment, Katrina and Wendy were chatting with Antoney.

Lauretta approached them with a friendly smile. "What are you all talking about?"

Katrina and Wendy turned to her, both looking uneasy.

"Lauretta, are you finished with your conversation?"

Lauretta glanced at their faces, then

at the groups of guests all

murmuring among themselves. She

understood immediately.

She gave her friends a reassuring look. "Don't worry. Star can handle herself in a

crowd like this."

...

Elsewhere in the room, Simone was sticking close to Aurora, her face stiff from

forced politeness as they mingled.

Though she was always at Aurora's side, Simone was hardly just a sidekick.

Her beauty and presence were on par with Aurora's.

Which was, in fact, one of the reasons she'd always had the confidence to be

Aurora's best friend."