The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Mr. Burton could see right through Marvin's little scheme.

Chuckling, he ruffled Marvin's hair. "Relax. Stella and the Watson boy are just close family friends. There's nothing romantic there, and your dad won't have any competition from him."

He grinned, then leaned in conspiratorially. "If you need to be worried about anyone, it's not Mr. Watson-it's Stella's ex-husband."

The group laughed, the conversation light and easy.

But unexpectedly, Joshua-usually so cheerful and talkative-sat in silence the whole time, not saying a single word.

Neville sensed something was off, but tonight was Stella's concert, and he didn't have the energy to worry about anything else. There were already too many things on his mind.

Besides, onstage, Stella was dazzling.

She wore a deep burgundy mermaid gown that hugged her figure perfectly. Already beautiful, tonight her careful styling made her utterly breathtaking.

With her Nocturne Stella violin in hand, she moved with grace and poise, every gesture radiating elegance. It was as if she was bathed in a halo of light- impossible to look away from, like a star shining in the night sky.

In the audience, Haynes O'Brien stared at the woman on stage-so familiar, yet suddenly a little strange.

For the first time, he understood what Keen O'Brien had always felt.

She was born for the stage.

To hide that brilliance and force her back to the life she used to live would be a terrible waste.

Right then, Haynes made up his mind: from now on, he would do everything he could to support Stella's career, to let her pursue what she truly loved.

Stella performed several more of her own compositions.

When the audience realized these beautiful pieces were all her original work, the shock in the hall was palpable.

“I knew it! I'd never heard these songs before—they're so good, and they're all by Stella?"

"She's not just a performer, she writes her own music too? Unbelievable!"

"She's definitely the new Raven!"

"With these original pieces, the

international competition this yearet just interesting. She might

actually win the whole thing!"

"Might? She's definitely taking home the championship!"

While Stella slipped backstage to change, Lauretta Chapman-her special guest

-walked onto the stage to perform.

Simone's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Lauretta? What's she doing at Stella's concert? Lauretta's a star in the business she's almost impossible to book!"

"She's actually here... to support Stella? Just what's their relationship?"

Aurora, who already knew about the arrangement, didn't show any reaction.

"If Stella really is Raven, and they

to Neo-Vespera

both

Fr. it makes sense theel

"Aurora said lightly

Simone, however, wasn't convinced. "But

Laure you tried to reach out t

you

à before, she barely gav the time of day."

Simone was looking at Stella with undisguised annoyance now.

She muttered, "Stella must have bad-mouthed you to Lauretta. That's why she never wanted to get close to you."

Aurora didn't respond. Deep down, she thought Simone might be right.

After all, they were both from prominent families in the same circle. There was no other reason for Lauretta to keep her distance.noveldrama

Lauretta's appearance sent the concert to a new high.

She was the total package: beauty, talent, and pedigree-the perfect golden girl.

Being friends with someone like her was beyond most people's wildest dreams. Even Aurora hadn't managed it.

...

At the very back of the hall, in a shadowy corner.

While everyone else gazed up in admiration at the performers on stage, one person's eyes burned with resentment.

"Stella Cameron!" Rachel Pearce's hatred simmered in her gaze.