The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Having a job is great-you can earn your own money and don't have to put up with men mocking us, saying women only live off them."

Keen thought of the healing meals his mother used to make for him, and the special dishes she always prepared just for him.

In a quiet voice, he murmured, "Mom, I'm sorry."

Stella shook her head gently. "Alright, we're done picking out the vegetables. Let's

head over to the snacks aisle and grab some of your favorites."

The little group made their way toward the snacks section.

Haynes followed along behind them.

For Haynes, this was a strangely new experience.

He'd always considered shopping with women to be a waste of time-tedious and inconvenient.

But now, not only did he not feel annoyed, he actually found himself wanting to walk beside Stella and help her pick things out.

Once they'd finished shopping, the group left the supermarket.

Joshua drove them back to the apartment building, and when he parked the car, Stella turned to him. "Joshua, thank you for all your help today. You should get some rest."

She didn't invite him upstairs for dinner.

She had no intention of giving Haynes an excuse to linger around her.

Joshua didn't insist. “Of course. I'll be on my way, then. If you need anything, Ms. Cameron, just give me a call."

He left soon after.

With Joshua gone, Haynes finally walked up to them.

"Keen."

Keen looked surprised. "Dad, you're still here?"

Haynes glanced at the grocery bags in Stella's hands. "Let me carry those for you."

Stella took a step back, neatly sidestepping his offer.

"No, thank you."

Haynes looked at her. "Your hands are for playing the violin. You shouldn't carry anything too heavy."

Stella replied, "For those five years, I carried groceries every single day, and my hands are just fine. They're not so delicate that a few bags would hurt them."

She paused, something like a memory flickering in her eyes, then smiled faintly. "Mr. O'Brien, why don't you go help Ms. Pearce with her things instead? I don't need any help here."

Keen chimed in, "It's okay, Dad. I can help Mom carry the bags."

He grabbed one of the bag handles himself, making it clear he didn't expect his father to come upstairs with them.

He was still young, but even he could sense that his mother's mood always soured whenever Dad was around.

Haynes fell silent.

With Joshua already gone, Haynes had no choice but to leave as well.

For now, he knew he had to deal

with

resonel first. Only once that w

could he hope for

a chance

to bring Stella back into his life.

Haynes called Jasper Wilkinson over.

Ever since losing his status as heir Jasper had been wasting his days in drunken parties, hanging out with the same old crowd and plotting ways to get back at Sellers Burton.

As for Stella...

He'd given up on her. After losing to her so many times, he'd started to think she was downright bad luck.

"Haynie, you called me over in such a hurry-what's going on?”

Haynes looked him in the eye. “Jasper, do you still want to be the heir to The Wilkinson Group?"

Jasper didn't hesitate. "Of course I do! If I get that position, I won't have to put up with those illegitimate brats anymore."

Besides, who would ever complain about too much money or too much power?

Haynes said, "I can help you get that seat-permanently."

Jasper's eyes lit up. "Haynie, are you serious?!"noveldrama

The last time The Wilkinson Group got hit by Sellers' revenge, if it hadn't been for Foreman Richards putting in a good word, Haynes wouldn't have bothered with him at all.

one

After Jasper lost his place as heir, Haynes hadn't even blinked.

He knew that after targeting Stella so many times, he'd pushed Haynes beyond his limits.

Haynes nodded. "I'm serious. But I have one condition."