The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Did you want him to judge himself was that your plan when you questioned him?"

Israel snapped coldly, "Enough. No one asked for your opinion."

He was still seething over how Joshua had embarrassed him in front of everyone just moments ago.

Joshua, however, didn't seem to care. He pressed on, "What do you think you'll get out of interrogating Leonard? With his composure, you'll squeeze nothing out of him. And even if he confesses-then what? Is the Williams family going to kill him, break his hands, or cut off all business with the Lerman family?"

A heavy silence settled over the room.

The Williams family, as one of the elite dynasties, had their own way of surviving in this world. Even if they did sever ties with the Lermans, it wouldn't put much of a dent in their fortunes.

But the real problem was...

All the orders Leonard brought to the Williams family had been practically gifts— deals where the profits were split eighty-twenty. The Lermans took two; they took eight. For families at this level, even one percent of their business was a fortune— let alone a split as lopsided and lucrative as this.

Just then, Aurora spoke up. "If Leonard truly did this, then however Star wants to handle it, I'll support her. But if it turns out Star misunderstood him, she should apologize to Leonard for what happened earlier. That's only fair.”

Her terms were fair enough. But proving the truth-that was the real challenge.

Aurora wasted no time. She had Leonard brought into the room. Simone followed close behind.

Aurora fixed Leonard with a steady gaze. "Leonard, I'm sure you've heard about the kidnapping and injury Star suffered a while back. I need to ask-was it you who arranged for her to be abducted and harmed?"

Every eye in the room turned to Leonard.

Skyler's expression was stern; Jonathan's gaze darkened. Coleman and Israel never looked away, watching Leonard's face for the slightest flicker of emotion. Under the intense scrutiny, Leonard simply arched an eyebrow.

"How could it possibly be me? I've never had any grievance with Ms. Cameron. Why would I kidnap her or hurt her?"

Aurora continued, "The last time you visited me, you were extremely rude to Star."

Leonard's lips curled into a faint

smile. "Oh, that? I thought I'd explained it already. It was just a tasteless joke meant to startle Ms. Cameron. I even apologized afterward. I thought the

novelet

misunderstanding was cleared up, but apparently, Ms. Cameron is still holding a grudge."

He sighed for effect, then turned to Stella. “Ms. Cameron, I admit I went too far with my joke last time. I could understand if you'd played a prankon me in return. But for you to slap me across the face and throw a drink at me in front ofnoveldrama

everyone-don't you think you owe me an apology?"

Leonard wore the mask of magnanimity, but his eyes, when they landed on Stella, sparkled with mockery and provocation.

The idea of the victim apologizing to her attacker-he'd love to see Stella lose her composure right here, right now. The audacity of this woman, daring to return to the Williams family, even setting foot in their company as though nothing had happened.

Clearly, last time's lesson wasn't nearly harsh enough.

A fleeting, cruel glint flashed across Leonard's eyes. Once she had any real power in the company, this

woman would be even harder to net

deal with. Not that he thought Stella was capable of causing real trouble on her own-but with people like Haynes and Neville in her corner, who knew?

Maybe she belonged in a psychiatric ward, locked away from the world—maybe that was the only fitting end for Stella. And if she wasn't crazy yet, he'd make sure she got there.

While Leonard was scheming how to make Stella break down in front of

everyone, a clear, steady voice cut through his thoughts.

"Mr. Lerman, you don't honestly believe you covered your tracks so well that there

isn't a single piece of evidence left behind, do you?"