The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1479

"One wrong move, and you fall right into his trap."

Comparing him to Leonard was difficult. He had a line he wouldn't cross, which made him less extreme than Leonard. Their methods of dealing with Stella proved it: they were two completely different types of predators.

Leonard preferred direct, brutal, physical torment, while Sellers favored intricate, psychological schemes.

It was hard to say which of the two was more dangerous. In any case, neither of them was a good person.

Then again, how many good people ever made it to the head of a family like theirs?

Coleman looked at Aurora. "Aurora, did Sellers tell you what he's planning next?"

Aurora shook her head. "Sellers never told me his plan. If it weren't for Queenie, I wouldn't have even known he was behind all this."

Coleman mused, "Sellers is doing this for two reasons. One, to help you. And two, because of the kidnapping... Have you forgotten, Aurora? Sellers claims Stella was the one who kidnapped him. I think this is his revenge."

Getting revenge on Stella while elevating Aurora—Sellers never missed an opportunity to maximize his gains.

A flicker in Aurora's eyes showed she had considered this. She sighed softly and said nothing more.

Just then, Coleman looked at Israel. "Anyone can spread the rumor that Stella isn't one of us, but it cannot come from our mouths. Do you understand, Israel?"

Israel knew that some things were better left unsaid by the family. Sometimes, silence was more powerful than words. "I understand," he said.

"Whether Stella chooses Joshua or not, we win," Coleman stated. "Our job now is to apply pressure and force her to make a decision quickly."

Stella paused. "Not yet."

Mr. Crawford pressed, "Is it that you haven't found them, or... have you found them and are trying to protect them?"

Stella looked at him. "What do you mean by that?"

"As everyone knows, the recently leaked information was under your sole control," Mr. Crawford stated. "No one else in the company was involved in those projects, so the leak couldn't have come from them. It must have come from you."

He looked Stella in the eye. "While some on the board suspect you conspired with our rivals to ruin the company, I know better. I've watched you work your way up, and I know you'd never do something like that. But the people around you? That's another story."

Stella asked, "Mr. Crawford, are you suggesting that Joshua is the one who leaked the corporate secrets?"