The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1853

Old Mr. Wyatt glanced at him and said flatly, "I don't need a reason. It's my rule. If you can't accept it, you can refuse."

Before the atmosphere could grow too tense, Mr. Burton stepped in to smooth things over.

"Joshua Gardner, you're in my home. Surely you can trust me?"

Stella added, "Joshua, I'll be fine."

The condition of Stella's hand was the top priority, and Joshua knew what was important. He didn't insist any further and stopped in his tracks.

After Stella and Old Mr. Wyatt had disappeared, Mr. Burton said, "We might as well do something while we wait. Come, play a game of chess with me."

Joshua didn't refuse. "Alright."

Thirty minutes later, despite Mr. Burton's attempts to take back moves and cheat, he still lost the game.

Mr. Burton stroked his white beard, looking at the board. "To think a lifelong passion of mine could be so easily defeated by a junior like you. The Gardner family certainly produces exceptional people."

Joshua replied, "You were just going easy on me, Mr. Burton."

Mr. Burton looked up at him, his gaze profound. "Joshua Gardner, a fire that burns too brightly will not only scorch others, but also yourself. You never used to be so intense, so ruthless."

Joshua looked at the pieces on the board and said coolly, "When you have something you want to protect, you'll do whatever it takes, no matter the cost."

With that, Joshua changed the subject. "Mr. Burton, you've built The Burton Group into what it is today. You're no ordinary man. There's a question I've been meaning to ask you for a long time."

Mr. Burton took a sip of tea. "Go ahead."

Joshua asked, "Have you ever considered changing your heir?"

Mr. Burton's once-cloudy eyes suddenly sharpened. "Joshua Gardner, so you're not even pretending anymore?"

Hearing this, Stella's heart skipped a beat. "My hand… can it really recover?"

"Sixty percent," Old Mr. Wyatt corrected her coolly. "There's still a forty percent chance of failure."

Stella composed herself. "I'm sorry, I got too excited."

Old Mr. Wyatt didn't say anything more. After looking at the reports for another moment, he suddenly said, "I'm old. I retired many years ago and no longer perform surgery on anyone."

Stella looked at him. "Are you making an exception because of Mr. Burton?"

Old Mr. Wyatt was expressionless. "That cranky old man? His influence is worth nothing to me. We were rivals and enemies when we were young. If he came to me for help, I'd throw him out on his ear."

At this, Old Mr. Wyatt looked at Stella. "I'm not one to hide things for others, so I'll be direct. A young man named Leonard went to great lengths to find me and ask me to treat your hand. I have a general understanding of the history between you two, so I must ask you before the surgery: knowing the truth, are you still willing to go through with it?"