The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella only found out about it when Jonathan Williams called her.

His voice over the phone was cold as ice.

"Father wants you to come home. Right now."

Stella immediately sensed something was wrong. "What's happened?"

Jonathan almost laughed, a sharp, bitter sound.

"You mean you don't know?"

She frowned, not liking his tone.

"No, I don't."

His voice grew even colder. "It's all over the internet, and you really have no

idea?"

The edge in his words was starting to grate on her nerves. "Whatever's blowing

up online, what's it got to do with me?"

He snorted. "Stella, I never realized what a great actress you are."

She was done playing games. Without another word, Stella hung up.

Jonathan stared at the blank screen in disbelief. He called again, only to have

Stella reject the call. He tried a few more times, but she simply blocked his

number.

A few minutes later, her phone lit up again. This time the caller ID read: Haynes

O'Brien.

Stella hesitated, then picked up.

"Star, are you alright?" Haynes asked, concern in his voice.

"I'm fine," she replied. "What's going on?"

He paused, clearly surprised she was still in the dark. But unlike Jonathan,

Haynes didn't try to be cryptic-he told her everything straight out.

"Aurora's illegitimate birth is all over the news now. Everyone knows. Reportersnoveldrama

have dug up dirt on Mr. Williams, your mother, and Aurora's mother too. Even your

father's old romance from his youth is making the rounds again. The Williams

Group's stock is tanking. Right now, everyone's having a field day at your family's

expense."

His tone was neutral, almost professional, as if he'd rehearsed the facts.

Now Stella understood why Jonathan was so furious.

Haynes continued, "Star, this wasn't your doing, was it?"

"It wasn't me. I just found out myself," Stella answered.

That was enough for Haynes-he never doubted her.

Still, his next words were heavy.

"This puts you in a tough spot. Even

if it wasn't you, the Williams family

will probably pin it on you. If this isn't

handled delicately, your father won't

let it slide."

"I know," Stella replied, her voice steady. "I need to get a handle on the situation

first. I'll call you later, okay?"

"I'll have Benson gather everything

that's been posted and send it to

you," Haynes said. "No point wasting

your time searching for it all o

yourself."

She was quiet for a moment. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Barely a minute after they hung up, Benson's message arrived. Stella scrolled

through the avalanche of online gossip, her heart pounding.

The Williams family's deepest secrets-everything they'd tried to keep hidden-

were now sprawled out in the harsh light of day, thanks to Aurora.

For the Williamses, it was nothing short of disaster.

And it was complicated.

Stella felt no joy in their misfortune

Aurora had never really targeted her,

after all. Things between her and the

family hadn't yet reached a breaking

point.

But now, all suspicious eyes would be trained on her.

Her shares in the company were still under lock and key; if she made one wrong

move, the Williamses could easily resort to drastic measures.

So far, they'd held back for the sake of "family."

But if that illusion vanished, if they turned on her, they'd have no reason to show

mercy.

And given the cards she was holding, going up against a family like the

Williamses was like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

No, not just one family-there was Sellers, too.

Stella rubbed at her aching temples. Suddenly, she had lost all interest in

shopping.

...

Three days later, the competition organizers made an announcement.

Aurora had withdrawn from the contest.