The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1759

He had insisted Stella come pick up the parts in person, even though he could have easily sent an assistant. He had been looking for an excuse to see her even then.

Hearing Leonard's words, Stella lowered her gaze, hiding the thoughts in her eyes. She picked up the basket. "Let's go back. These ingredients are most effective when they're fresh."

Leonard took the basket from her. "I'll carry it."

Stella glanced at him but didn't protest.

Not long after they returned to the house, a servant delivered the herbs Stella had requested. Making the medicinal tonic was different from making regular soup; it required constant supervision and careful control of the heat, making it an exhausting process.

Leonard came downstairs several times and saw Stella tending to the pot. "Let a servant watch it," he couldn't help but say. "Go get some rest."

"No," Stella refused. "If even one step is done wrong, the medicinal effects of this broth will be greatly diminished, or even lost entirely."

Leonard watched Stella's cheeks flush from the steam and found her incredibly alluring. His gaze fixed on her lips, and his throat tightened as his eyes darkened.

When Stella casually looked up, she met Leonard's deep, intense stare. Her hand, which was stirring the broth, trembled, and she accidentally touched the hot clay pot. A sharp pain shot through the back of her hand, leaving a red mark.

Leonard's expression changed. He strode over, grabbed her hand, and examined it closely.

Stella instinctively tried to pull away, but Leonard frowned. "Don't move. Let me see."

"I'm going to check on the broth."

Leonard watched her leave without trying to stop her. It wasn't until she was back in the kitchen, with the servant still watching the pot, that Stella finally let her guard down. Remembering the look in Leonard's eyes, her heart pounded with fear. It was the look a man gives a woman when he wants her. Although she knew the servants wouldn't stop him if he decided to do something, having other people around was better than being completely alone with him.

She had to move her plan forward.

***

In the following days, Stella continued to prepare the medicinal tonic for Leonard every day. At the same time, she secretly collected herbs with certain properties. She didn't dare take too much at once, afraid the island's doctor might notice. She could only set aside a small amount each time she prepared Leonard's broth. It took her a full week to gather a sufficient dose.