The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella offered only three curt words: "I don't know her."

Haynes waited a few seconds, expecting more. When she didn't elaborate, he frowned slightly.

"Then why would Rachel say you two know each other?"

Stella shot Rachel a frosty glance, her tone icy and dismissive.

“Ask Rachel. What's the point of asking me? I have no idea what goes on in her head."

Her attitude was so hostile, Haynes found himself at a loss for words.

Sensing the tension, Rachel put on her most pitiful act. "Ms. Cameron, I know you despise me—maybe you even wish I'd just disappear. But no matter how much you hate me, Keen is innocent. He's your own son-"

Stella cut her off coldly, her voice sharp as a blade. "If you know I hate you, then do us both a favor and keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, I can't promise I won't do something you'll regret."

Rachel opened her mouth, as if to protest, but the dangerous glint in Stella's eyes made her breath catch. For a moment, it seemed Stella really wasn't bluffing.

Rachel's eyes darted as she considered her options. If she could provoke Stella into hitting her in front of Haynes, maybe that would prove Stella had orchestrated the kidnapping after all.

But before Rachel could act, Stella's chilling voice sliced through the silence.

"Rachel, are you wondering right now how to push my buttons? Hoping I'll lose it and hurt you in front of Haynes, just to prove how much I loathe you? Wishing I'd make your accusations come true?"

Rachel blinked rapidly, but managed to say, "Ms. Cameron, I've never wronged you. Why do you insist on assuming the worst of me?"

Stella didn't bother to soften her tone. "Ms. Pearce, if you're going to keep playing the victim and stirring the pot, then there's really no reason for this conversation to go on any longer. It's a waste of everyone's time."

She turned to Haynes. "Kidnapping is a crime. If you really care, you should be calling the police-not bothering with me."noveldrama

Haynes' expression was unreadable. "Rachel says you're Keen's mother. She doesn't want this to blow up and become a public scandal. Frankly, I'd prefer to settle this privately too."

"Settle privately?" Stella could hear the implication in his words and met his gaze evenly. "So you've already decided I'm the one behind all this?"

Haynes sounded almost weary. "If I was sure it was you, I wouldn't have asked you here."

Stella's gaze didn't waver. "Then why am I here, Haynes?"

He sighed. When it comes to Keen's safety, I think it's only right to be thorough. If it isn't you, all the better. But if it is, whatever grudge you have against Rachel, I hope you wouldn't risk your own son's life for it."

Stella's brow furrowed. "So tell me: if it really were me, how exactly did you plan to 'settle' this privately?"

Haynes was silent for a moment.

"Whoever's to blame, Rachel did get

hurt trying to save Keen. Her concert is coming up, and she's not in the ... would

best shape because of it. So... would

you consider lending her the

Nocturne Stella for her

w no v

performance?"

Stella's eyes flashed with understanding, though her face remained impassive. Rachel had coveted her Nocturne Stella for

ages ever since she found onet

Stella owned it, she must have been dying to get her hands on it, just waiting for the right opportunity.

Stella's answer was final. "You can believe whatever you want, but I'm not lending

that violin to either of you. Not now, not ever."

Haynes tried to reason with her. "If you're worried it might affect your own concert,

I can make sure Rachel's performance is scheduled after yours. That way, your plans won't be disrupted at all."