The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Leonard was nothing short of a legend.

Despite starting out as an illegitimate son with neither power nor influence, he'd managed to seize the head seat of the Lerman family in record time—a feat that bordered on the unbelievable.

Of course, he was known for his ruthlessness.

A rare look of gravity crossed Haynes's usually calm face.

"Star, someone has to take the fall for the scandal about Aurora being an illegitimate child. If we can't find out who leaked the news, you're the one who'll be in danger. I've thought it through. I'll go with you to the Williams estate, and, for now, I'll claim responsibility. You're Keen's mother. If I speak up for you, it'll seem logical and justified."

Stella instinctively shook her head. "No, if Leonard's that dangerous, and you take the blame, all you're doing is putting yourself in harm's way instead."

Haynes's deep eyes softened with a faint smile. "Star, you're worried about me. That means a lot."

Stella opened her mouth to say something, but Haynes quickly grew serious again, cutting her off.

"Star, if we can't find the real culprit, everyone will assume it was you. And Abby could be at risk too. With Leonard's temperament, the fact that she once spoke poorly of Aurora is enough to make her a target, whether she spread the rumor or not. The way this information got out is extremely strange—it spread through outside channels. It'll take time to trace the source."

But time was exactly what they didn't have.

The longer this dragged on, the worse it would get for Stella.

For now, Haynes could draw Leonard's suspicion onto himself, giving Stella some breathing room. Leonard would focus all his energy on dealing with Haynes, leaving Stella out of the crosshairs.

Abby listened, her expression growing conflicted. As Stella's best friend, anything she said would be seen as coming from Stella herself. Leonard would hold Stella responsible for Abby's words. She realized she'd only made things harder for Stella.

Stella turned to Haynes, shaking her head again. "No, I can't let you take this risk for me."

Haynes's voice was calm, tinged with a gentle warmth. "This is Novaris, Star. Leonard's chances of succeeding here aren't very high. Besides, I've been through worse situations before. I'm not doing this to play the hero or shield you from danger. I just want to buy us some time. If we can find the real culprit before then, the crisis will pass."

Stella had a gut feeling things

wouldn't go as smoothly as Haynes

hoped. She was about to say more

when Jonathan's assistant arrived.

"Ms. Cameron, Mr. Williams sent me to escort you."noveldrama

Stella had no choice but to leave with the assistant, her words swallowed by uncertainty.

***

The Williams estate.

A soft knock sounded at the door. Aurora called, "Come in," and a tall, striking man stepped into the room.

She set her book aside and looked up. "Leonard, you're here."

Leonard's gaze fell on her delicate, pale face. "How are you feeling, Aurora? Any better?"

Since that day, Aurora had come

down with a terrible fever and hadn't

fully recovered. She'd dropped out of

the competition because of her

illness, and the swirling public

rumors didn't help.

She nodded. "Much better, thank you. And Leonard, about what happened that day... I really appreciate what you did."

Leonard said, "Aurora, I came by today because I wanted to give you something."

He handed her a large, square gift box. It looked heavy, but felt surprisingly light.

Curious, Aurora opened the box. When she saw what was inside, she instinctively covered her mouth in surprise.

"This is..."

Leonard looked at her, his gaze steady and deep. "Simone told me

the girl in this painting is you, and

that you loved it. So, after thinking it

over, I decided it ought to be yours."