The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Abby grinned. "No wonder I haven't seen Mr. Richards around lately. Turns out you've been working in Sandford!"

Foreman smiled. "That's right. Most of the Richards family's businesses are based here in Sandford. The O'Brien Group, on the other hand, has most of its operations in Neo-Vespera. There's a lot of collaboration between the Richards Group and the O'Brien Group, so I end up splitting my time between both cities for most of the year."

Abby replied, "This competition is going to last about a month. We'll be relying on you, Mr. Richards."

Foreman's voice was warm. "You and Star are both friends of mine. It's no trouble at all. Sandford is a tourist city-tomorrow, I'll show you around."

Abby brightened. "Sounds great! Star's been swamped lately-if she wasn't at a competition, she was performing at concerts. She's barely had any time to relax." She turned to Stella. "Star, you've never been to Sandford before, have you?"

Stella shook her head. "No, I haven't. There are a lot of cities in Novaris I've never visited."

Before she turned eighteen, her life revolved around studying. Afterwards, she left for college in Solmaris. She had only just returned to Neo-Vespera after graduation when she met Haynes, got pregnant, and married him. Ever since, she'd been at home, raising their child. She truly had never taken a real vacation.

Foreman spoke, almost offhandedly, "You know, Haynie used to travel all over for work-flying to different countries and cities all the time. But he never actually got to sightsee; he'd finish up business and come right home, rarely staying even a day longer. Later on, though, he did start traveling more-with Rachel..."

Foreman's voice trailed off, as if he'd just realized he'd said the wrong thing.

Stella and Abby's expressions cooled. After what happened last time, whatever small sense of goodwill Abby had begun to feel towards Haynes vanished completely.

Foreman hurried to change the subject. "By the way, where's Joshua? He's usually right by Star's side. I thought he'd come with you this time."

Stella answered, "Joshua took some time off. He needs a break."

Foreman grinned. "Don't tell me he's gone home to start a romance?" Abby snorted. "I doubt it. He told me the other day he's still single."

Foreman looked surprised. "Really? Not long ago, he and Simone were practically joined at the hip—meeting up almost every day. I assumed they'd started dating.”

Abby had never liked Aurora, and

she liked Aurora's best friend Simone even less. Every time Simone spoke to Joshua, she'd deliberately ignore Stella, as if She wasn't even there. Even when she approached Stella, it was always with the intention of prying Joshua away from her. Trying to steal someone's friend right in front of them—it was hard to stomach.

Abby said, "No way. Joshua would never go for someone like her."

Stella didn't want to gossip about other people's business, so she smoothly changed the subject. "Let's get back to the hotel and rest. We still have to check in at the competition venue later."

No one protested, and the conversation died down.

Sandford wasn't far from Neo-Vespera-just a two-hour flight. After lunch,

Foreman personally drove Stella and Abby to the competition hall.

There were three days set aside for check-in, but most contestants arrived on the first day. It gave them a chance to settle in, get accustomed to the environment, recover from any jet lag, and maybe even do some sightseeing in Sandford. noveldrama

The venue was packed. Contestants from all over the world mingled and chatted,

the atmosphere buzzing with excitement.

But the moment Stella and Abby stepped inside, every conversation abruptly fell silent.