The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Florrie's face fell the moment she heard the answer, disappointment written all over her features.

But she bounced back quickly and pressed on, "Is it because my dad changed his mind, or did he make things difficult for you? Did he threaten you? Tell me, and I'll help you figure something out."

Stella looked at the girl's eager expression and asked, "Do you really want me to join the Watson family that much?"

"Of course!" Florrie nodded, completely candid. "If you come back to the Watsons, my dad will finally stop keeping such a close eye on me."

Stella was puzzled. "Why is Mr. Watson watching you so closely?"

Florrie looked a little embarrassed. "Honestly, I'm just useless at everything. I eat too much, I'm lazy, and my grades are a disaster-I'm always at the bottom of the class. Dad's such a perfectionist, he's always pushing me to improve. Music lessons, painting, etiquette classes-I can barely keep up with those. But lately, he's even started making me learn business. The moment the teacher starts talking about stocks and markets, I start nodding off. And Dad quizzes me all the time! If I fail, he deducts my allowance."

She pulled a face, clearly exasperated. "My pocket money gets wiped out every month. It's miserable! If you join the Watson family, maybe you could take some of the pressure off me..."

Stella couldn't help but smile at Florrie's candid confession.

This girl was nothing if not honest.

"Are you not worried," Stella teased, "that if I come back to the Watson family, I'll compete with you for the inheritance or your father's affection?"

Florrie shook her head. "If you can help the Watson Group grow and make the company thrive, I don't care about the rest. As long as I have a comfortable life, that's all I want. As for Dad's affection..." She made a face, half-joking, half- serious. "His version of 'affection' is endless lessons and self-improvement. If that's what love means, anyone else can have it. I'll pass."

Stella couldn't help laughing. The girl was just too charming.

She decided not to tease Florrie anymore. "Your brother will be coming back after his concert. When he's home, I doubt Mr. Watson will keep putting so much pressure on you."

Florrie sighed. "Honestly, it's not just that I hate studying. I just wish our family wasn't I

that quiet. If I had siblings, the house wouldn't fore

empty." noveldrama

SO

The Watsons had always been a small family, and her only brother had passed away unexpectedly. The enormous house felt unbearably lonely with just her rattling around inside. She'd always been drawn to noise and laughter, and envied families like the Burtons, who were blessed with a crowd of children. Even the Williams family, though not large, gave Aurora three older

brothers.

Right now, Florrie still had no idea that Stella was, in fact, one of the Williams.

Stella handed the jade bracelet back to her. "Ms. Watson, you should hold on to this for now."

But Florrie perked up again. "No need! Whether you join the Watson family or not, it's a welcome gift for you."

She gave Stella a sly wink. "Who knows, if we're not sisters in the future, maybe you'll end up as my sister-in-law."

It was obvious that Florrie was warm and open-hearted by nature.

Stella didn't argue anymore. "Alright, then. I'll accept it."

Florrie's face lit up with a dazzling smile.

She liked Stella just the way she was-straightforward, not pretentious or coy.

Florrie took the initiative to exchange contact details with Stella, and the two of them walked out together, chatting as they went.

Before long, Florrie started calling Stella "Star" instead.

"Star, do you know Aurora? She's the most famous socialite around—the gold standard, really. Incredibly smart, incredibly beautiful." Florrie paused, glancing at Stella. "To be honest, in all these years, I've hardly met anyone who can hold a candle to Aurora. But you're definitely one of them. You're the first person I've met who doesn't get completely overshadowed by her. I'll introduce you two in a bit."