The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

No matter how fierce the in-fighting within a family, no matter how bitter the rivalry, it rarely spills into public view. After all, no one wants to become the neighborhood laughingstock.

Take the Lerman family, for example-a clan notorious for its many illegitimate heirs. Even when the struggle for power turns cutthroat, they're never foolish enough to air their dirty laundry in public.

Because, as the old saying goes, family scandals should never leave the front door.

If these sordid affairs get out, will people only mock the individual involved?

Not at all. They'll mock the entire family.

Now, thanks to Stella, this mess is everywhere—the Williams family's reputation is utterly ruined.

Skyler, Aurora, the three Williams brothers, even Stella and Nora-every one of them has become the subject of dinner table gossip.

If this was Stella's idea of revenge, it was the most idiotic form imaginable.

Hurting your enemy a thousand times, only to suffer eight hundred wounds yourself.

Skyler's voice was icy as he spoke: "So impulsive... She's clearly not leadership material. Stella's performance had been so impressive lately, I thought maybe I'd misjudged her. But now..."

His anger faded into deep disappointment.

"I overestimated her. She's not just a step behind Nora-she can't even compare to Aurora."

Jonathan shared his sentiment, shaking his head at Stella's blunder.

All she'd gained was a fleeting sense of satisfaction, and she'd dragged Aurora down with her for what? Nothing good could come of it.

Jonathan let out a cold laugh. "Stella's digging her own grave. Even the board members at Williams Group who wanted to back her must be rethinking their support after this."

People are driven by self-interest, after all.

Stella's childish scheme might have made things difficult for Aurora and the rest of them, but she'd forgotten something vital: her shares in the company were about to be unlocked.

She hadn't even entered Williams Group yet, and she'd already damaged the company's interests.

The old guard who once wanted to see her rise would be disappointed, and the fence-sitters would flock to their side.

Stella had played a losing hand, hurting everyone—including herself.

Jonathan glanced at Skyler, whose expression was still grim. "Let her keep making a scene. After this, nearly everyone at Williams Group will be against her joining. The only thing she'll be able to do with her she

shares is sell them off. Even

holds ten percent, she won't amount to anything."

Skyler's mood eased a little as he considered this.

He exhaled, then asked, "What about Aurora? How is she?"

A flicker of concern crossed Jonathan's face. "I can't reach her at the moment, but Sherman told me

he and Sellers have already gone to the competition venue to pick her

up." sŵnovel

Skyler sighed. "Aurora will have to bear a heavy burden from now on. When you

get in touch with her, tell her to call me."

"Will do," Jonathan replied, then left the room.noveldrama

The Lerman residence.

Leonard and Simone had just learned of the incident when they saw humiliating photos of Aurora spreading online.

In the video, Aurora was spat on in public; drinks and all manner of garbage were thrown at her, leaving her a soaked, miserable mess. The aura of the once-untouchable goddess shattered in an instant.

Someone even caught the moment Aurora fainted on camera.

The blow was nothing short of devastating.

Simone frantically tried to reach Aurora but couldn't get through. Thinking quickly, she dialed Sherman's number instead.

"Sherman, is Aurora with you?"

Sherman's voice was low. "Yes, she's here with me. She's alright for now."

There was no time for small talk. "Where are you? Leonard and I will come to you right away."

Sherman glanced at Sellers, who nodded silently.

He gave Simone the name of the hospital, then hung up.

Inside, the doctors were still examining Aurora. Sellers and Sherman, not being family, waited outside-awkward and anxious, unable to do more.