The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

After lowering the binoculars, Foreman picked up his phone and continued giving orders. "Keep those online trolls trashing Aurora. Don't let up for a second.

And bribe a few contestants. If Aurora dares to show up, make sure someone's there to deal with her."

Just an illegitimate girl, he thought. Did she really believe she could take Star's place?

Star was too kind. Out of family loyalty, she'd never go after Aurora herself.

But Foreman had no such qualms.

This was Sandford his city. If Aurora set foot in his territory, he'd make sure she got a lesson she'd never forget.

***

By the time Leonard and Simone arrived, they were greeted by the sight of Aurora huddled on the ground, surrounded by a mob pelting her with whatever they could get their hands on.

Their taunts and insults were just as vicious as their aim-cruel words flung alongside bottles and trash.

Aurora had come to, but she didn't faint again. Her head hung low, her hair falling over her face, hiding whatever she might be feeling from the world.

Sellers and Sherman had tried to protect her-Sherman carrying Aurora, Sellers on his own-but they were hopelessly outnumbered. The mob kept their distance, content to throw things from afar rather than get close.

Sellers couldn't risk leaving her side, so he did what he could to shield her, but it was nowhere near enough.

Leonard's eyes burned with fury.

He strode forward, pulled a knife from his belt, and hurled it at one of the men about to throw a rock at Aurora.

A scream split the chaos.

The man's hand was pierced clean through, blood gushing as he dropped to his knees.

The sudden sight of blood sent a ripple of panic through the crowd.

Leonard's gaze was cold and deadly.

He advanced on the wounded man, murder in his eyes, ready to finish what he'd started. Sellers stepped forward quickly, frowning, and blocked his path.

Leonard turned his bloodshot eyes on Sellers.

Even Sellers felt a chill under that look.

"I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty," Leonard said, voice low and threatening.

Sellers kept his own voice even

P.n

lower. "Aurora's still here. Do you really want her to see this? Besides these people showed up far too quickly someone tipped them off. We're probably being watched. If you go too far, they'll just call Aurora a killer, and you'll be handing them exactly what they want. You want to make things worse for her?"

The mention of Aurora's name seemed to bring Leonard back from the edge.

He bit back his rage, his voice hoarse and icy. "Let's go to my place. It's safe-no one can get in."

Sellers nodded.

Leonard's violent outburst had done its job; nobody dared make another move. They could only stand and watch as Leonard and the others led Aurora away.

***

Lerman family estate.

Sellers' assistant handed him a file with the results of their investigation.

Sellers glanced through it, then passed the tablet to Leonard. "Take a look."

Leonard accepted the tablet.

A woman's voice played from the screen.

"They're calling Star an illegitimate child? Are you kidding me? Your so-called goddess Aurora is the real secret lovechild! An imposter like her has the nerve to play queen in front of the rightful star? She's got some nerve!"

Leonard's handsome face darkened, his features turning sharp and menacing.

"Who is she? Is she the one spreading rumors about Star?"

Sellers replied, "Her name's Abby. Stella's close friend. Stella was there, too."noveldrama

Leonard kept watching, and sure enough, he spotted Stella in the video.

Sellers let out a cold laugh. "Stella never says anything herself. She lets her friend do the dirty work, so no one can pin anything on her. But those two are thick as thieves-there's no way Abby would say all that without Stella feeding her lines from the shadows."

Leonard's eyes glinted with a chilling, predatory light.