The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Am I imagining things, or does Stella's performance of 'Moonlight' sound almost exactly like the original composer's?"

"The original composer? You mean that Raven Williams from Neo-Vespera University, right? I heard she's in the University's Hall of Fame-a total enigma. No one even knows what she looks like!"

"Plenty of virtuosos have played 'Moonlight,' but none of them have ever captured that unique timbre the composer brought to it."

"There's no way Stella is Raven, is there? I've seen Stella perform 'Moonlight' before, and it's nothing like the original."

"Yeah, but last time, Stella wasn't playing on the Nocturne Stella. Wasn't it some generic piano? I still have the video on my phone..."

"Could Stella actually be Raven?"

"This performance of 'Moonlight'... it's uncanny, really."

The astonished whispers rippled through the crowd. Even Simone, usually so composed, looked genuinely surprised.

"Aurora, if I remember right, the composer of 'Moonlight' was called Raven, wasn't she? In the Williams family, isn't that Stella's name too? Could it really be her?"

Aurora was caught off guard as well.

She knew the composer, Raven, but always figured it was just a coincidental name.

It had never crossed her mind that Stella could be the brilliant, legendary Raven enshrined in the Neo-Vespera University Hall of Fame.

Catching Aurora's fleeting expression, Simone laughed softly. "Aurora, your half- sister really is full of surprises."

Simone knew Aurora had never thought much of Stella.

To be fair, neither had she.

No matter how generously Nora had raised Stella, she could never truly compare to young women born and bred with privilege and old money like them.

Aurora quickly collected herself, masking her initial shock with a smile. "If Stella's getting so much attention, that's not necessarily a bad thing. When Father finally reveals her identity, at least the Williams family won't be an embarrassment."

Simone's eyes widened. "Mr. Williams... is planning to go public with Stella's identity?"noveldrama

Aurora nodded. "Stella holds a share of the original stock. If we don't keep her satisfied, she might not be willing to hand it over. She's the legitimate eldest daughter, yet announced to the world she was adopted. Do you think she's truly content with that?"

yet we

Simone frowned. "But if that comes out, the rumors could hurt you."

Aurora's smile was cool, almost indifferent. "When the time comes, Father will let it be known that Stella wasjust the result of one of his

youthful indiscretions."

Understanding dawned on Simone.

So Skyler planned to let everyone believe Stella was the illegitimate child.

But in truth, that title belonged to Aurora.

The Williams family was willing to go to any lengths to protect Aurora's reputation.

Simone found it par for the course. In these powerful families, feelings meant nothing-only value mattered.

How could Stella—a divorced woman with a child, raised in the countryside-ever compare to Aurora, the city's leading socialite?

If Simone had to choose, she'd pick Aurora every time.

Her gaze drifted to the stage, to the woman shimmering under the lights.

Suddenly, she recalled the way

Joshua had offered Stella a drink et

unscrewed the bottle cap for her, and even kneeled to help her put on her shoes.

A cold glint flashed in Simone's eyes.

Turning to Aurora, she murmured, "Aurora, if you want that original stock, there's

an easier way."

Aurora looked at her, curious. "And what's that?"

Simone said quietly, "If Stella were dead, as her family, you and Mr. Williams would legally inherit everything."