The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1879

Just as she hung up, there was a knock on the door.

Joshua's voice came from the other side. "Star, it's time for dinner."

Stella answered and got up to open the study door. Joshua was standing right outside.

As they walked downstairs together, Stella asked, "Joshua, did you catch Melody?"

"No, I just sent Harold to look for her. Why, is she missing?" Joshua replied.

Stella relayed what Wilbur had just reported.

Joshua thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps someone is hiding her."

Stella looked at him. "Are you suggesting… there's a mastermind behind this?"

"For someone who hasn't been around for years to suddenly show up and cause trouble for you two—it's a bit too coincidental," Joshua said.

Stella frowned slightly. "Who could this mastermind be?"

She had made quite a few enemies, so it was hard to guess who might be behind it.

Joshua took her hand. "I've already had Harold investigate. I'll let you know what he finds."

Stella trusted Joshua completely, so she didn't press the matter further.

-

The night was as dark as ink. Stella was sound asleep.

Once he was certain she was truly asleep, Joshua silently slipped out of bed. He got dressed and stepped out of the room, where Harold was already waiting respectfully.

"Where is she?" Joshua's tone was flat. "Take me there."

Joshua's voice was indifferent, half his face shrouded in darkness, which made him appear inexplicably frightening.

"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is… tell me who's pulling the strings, and I can give you a quick end."

Melody's eyes darted around. "I… I don't know what you're talking about…"

Joshua smiled, his voice gentle. "It's alright. You will soon."

He turned to a nearby bodyguard and ordered, "Start by cutting off her fingers, one by one. Then, chop off her hands. If she still won't talk…"

Before Joshua could finish, Melody's face turned white.

"You can't touch me! My father is—Ah!"

As the words left her mouth, a bodyguard swiftly chopped off one of her fingers.