The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 165

"You're killing me with laughter! Are you seriously trying to tell me she's some undercover queen of disguise?" Jasper was practically in stitches, tears brimming in his eyes. "Hahaha, have you been reading too many thrillers and now you're just daydreaming?"

Abby was about to explode with anger, ready to march over, but Stella held her back.

"Let it go, Abby. The show is about to start. Don't let someone like that ruin the performance."

Abby was fuming. "What's wrong with that guy?"

Stella shrugged, "Maybe he's been hanging around someone who's seriously lost it and now he's caught the fever himself."

Abby threw up her hands in exaggerated terror. "I'm staying five feet back - wouldn't want to 'accidentally' trip and get blamed for damaging national treasures." She jerked her chin toward the exit. "Star, Marvin - wheels up before the drama catches fire."

She knew Stella and Marvin were about to take the stage. Stirring up trouble now could mess with their performance, and that was the last thing Abby wanted.

Neville grinned slightly, "Alright folks, I'm out too. Don't forget to get yourself a new pair of glasses on the way."

After they left, Jasper couldn't help but curse under his breath. "Ugh, what a piece of work!"

Rachel watched Stella's retreating figure, her brow furrowed with curiosity.

"Haynie, are you really sure Stella can't play the violin?"

Haynes shook his head. "I don't know. I've never seen her play."

Then Keen piped up, "I once saw Mom looking at sheet music at home."

Rachel turned to Keen, "Sheet music? Did she ever mention anything about the violin to you?"

Rachel quickly filled him in on the situation.

The violin had completely slipped Haynes' mind, buried under the dumpster fire Stella kept lighting in his life. Now, with her looking at him like he was something scraped off her shoe, convincing her to surrender it seemed about as likely as putting out those flames with gasoline.

After a short silence, Haynes sighed, "Rachel, maybe you should consider using a different violin."

Rachel's eyes widened in surprise. Since she'd returned, Haynes had never denied any of her requests. He even gave her the wedding with Stella he'd planned.

Asking for a violin seemed like a piece of cake. It must be the recent events that had shaken Haynes' trust in her.

She'd managed to brush off the last incident with Haynes by explaining that Marvin had interrupted before she could finish talking to Keen, but she knew this was far from over.