The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Leonard didn't deny it. "That's right."

Sellers stared at him in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind? You tried to

assassinate Haynes in Neo-Vespera? Do you have any idea how lucky you are to be standing here right now?"

Leonard's tone was flat. "Someone set me up."

"What do you mean?"

"I did want to cause trouble for Haynes, keep him too busy to help Stella. But killing him? That was never the plan. If he actually died, I'd be in just as much trouble. All I did was hire two top-notch hitmen to rough him up-put him in the hospital for a while. I didn't expect three more assassins to sneak in alongside them."

Sellers frowned, sensing something was off. "How did you even get Haynes's location? And how'd you set up the ambush?"

Leonard replied, "Two days ago, I got an anonymous tip-said Haynes would be at a certain place today. I figured it was worth a shot, and sure enough, he showed up. I suspect the tip came from someone close to him."

People like Haynes had their movements guarded like state secrets. Even trying to put a tail on him would get noticed in no time, especially since this wasn't Leonard's turf. If he sent his men to follow Haynes, the local heavies would pick up on it instantly. Worse, if any of them were Haynes's people, Leonard would be walking right into a trap. He wasn't about to make that kind of rookie mistake. Sellers caught on immediately. "So, you're about to take the fall for whoever really pulled the strings. If Haynes is badly injured, they'll pin it on you."

Leonard shrugged. "I heard Haynes is in pretty bad shape-won't be up and about anytime soon. That gives me a window to deal with Stella, then get out of Novaris."

"You already have a plan for Stella?" Sellers asked.

"Of course."

"What kind of plan?"

Leonard's voice turned icy. "Mr. Burton, ever heard the saying 'the more you know, the quicker you end up dead"?"

Sellers took the hint and didn't press further. As long as Stella ended up in trouble, that was good enough for him.

Stella was back in Sandford, competing in the tournament. Haynes had made it through the worst, but he was still unconscious.

When Abby heard about what happened, she tried to comfort Stella. "They say bad weeds grow tall-Haynes isn't going anywhere."

She paused, brow furrowing. “Star, do you think this was Leonard's doing, or was it that so-called mole?"

Stella considered it. "It could be a bit of both. Maybe Callie was being used."

No matter how powerful Leonard was, it was unlikely he could orchestrate an attack this quickly. If he really had that much reach, Stella would have been finished long ago.

Abby asked, "Has Neville said when he'll be back?"noveldrama

"Probably not for a while," Stella replied. "haven't told Neville what's going on here. Haynes is in this mess because of me—I don't want Neville getting dragged in too."

Abby's worry was clear. "But Leonard is just too dangerous. If only Joshua were here—he could keep you safe, no problem. Has he mentioned when he'll return?"

Stella shook her head. "No."

Abby sighed. "I really miss Joshua..."

Just as the two of them stepped out of the arena, a handsome, sophisticated man approached.

"Star, are you alright?"

Stella looked up. “Foreman? I thought you'd gone back to Neo-Vespera. Why are you here already?"

Keeping his voice low, Foreman

replied, "Before Haynes was

attacked, he asked me to look after

you if anything happened to him. So,

for now, your safety is my responsibility."