The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Aurora had always carried herself with grace and composure.

She never stooped to playing the victim, nor did she seek sympathy by pretending

to be weak. In everyone's eyes, Aurora was the picture of effortless elegance—a

goddess who seemed untouchable, as though nothing in the world could ever

bring her down.

But now, when had anyone ever seen her so vulnerable?

The Williams men, along with Sellers and Sherman, wore identical expressions of

concern and guilt. Even Simone's face was clouded with remorse and self-

reproach.

At that moment, Aurora's lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.

Skyler, Jonathan, Sellers, and Sherman surged forward, pushing past Stella, who

had only just arrived.

"Aurora, are you alright?" they asked anxiously.

Stella stumbled, nearly losing her balance as they brushed her aside. Before she

could fall, a slender, pale hand caught her just in time.

She turned to see it was Joshua.

"Thank you," she murmured softly.

Joshua let go almost immediately, avoiding her gaze and saying nothing. He

seemed far more distant than he used to, a cool reserve that hadn't been there

before.

Just then, Stella felt someone's eyes fixed on her. She looked up and found

Simone staring at her, unblinking and intense.

Stella understood at once—perhaps something had changed between Joshua

and Simone, and Joshua didn't want Simone to get the wrong idea.

After coming to, Aurora took in the anxious faces gathered around her and finally

managed a weak, gentle voice.

"I'm alright. Really, there's no need to worry."

Sherman, clearly shaken, blurted out, "Aurora, your hand was almost destroyed—

how can you say you're fine? You play the violin, you paint, you race cars—your

hands are everything! And since you were a child, when have you ever suffered

like this?"

Aurora had always been sheltered, raised in luxury like a princess. She'd never

known this kind of pain.

Her lips, pale from exhaustion,

curved into a faint, graceful smile

"The doctor said I'll be left with

scars, but it won't affect my painting

or playing violin... even racing won't

be a problem."

Sherman's eyes brimmed with tenderness he couldn't hide.

At that moment, Sellers stepped

forward. "Aurora, did you get a good

look at the person who attacked

you? Don't worry—whoever did this, I

swear I'll make them pay tenfold."

He shot Stella a meaningful glance as he spoke.

Stella's expression remained unreadable.

Aurora shook her head. "No, the person was well disguised. I couldn't see their

face at all."

Sellers pressed, "Do you have any suspicions about who it could be?"

Aurora replied, "None."

He stared into her eyes. "Aurora, are you sure?"

If she'd named anyone, Sellers would have acted without hesitation—better to be

wrong than to let the guilty go free.

Aurora gave a resigned sigh. "Really, I'm sure. In fact, they weren't after me at all.noveldrama

Simone was their real target."

Aurora always handled things

impeccably and rarely made

enemies. Simone, on the other hand,

had a penchant for making waves,

just like her older brother, Leonard

Lerman.

Everyone turned to Simone. "Simone, is that true?"

They all knew Sellers' pointed words had been meant for Stella. By motive alone,

Stella was the prime suspect.

But Aurora had spoken up to defend her.

Simone knew Aurora had taken this injury for her. She swallowed her pride and

admitted, "That's right. They were coming for me."