The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1897

Harold called Joshua with an update: Sellers was no longer in critical condition.

"However," Harold added, "half of his face is completely ruined. Even if he eventually returns to The Burton Group, he'll have to stay entirely behind the scenes."

Harold paused before testing the waters. "Mr. Gardner, should we release him now?"

Keeping the head of a major family locked up long-term wasn't a sustainable plan.

Joshua's voice was ice-cold. "The Burton family comes from a long line of medical experts. Even with half his face destroyed, their doctors might find a way to fix it. Keep him a little longer. Wait until the damage is completely irreversible, then we'll talk."

Harold was silent for a few seconds before replying, "Understood, sir."

After hanging up, Joshua headed out to the back garden to find Stella.

Suddenly, a frail, slender figure stepped into his path.

Joshua glanced at her, his tone flat. "Shouldn't Ms. Williams be resting for the baby? What are you doing out here?"

Aurora glared at him, a deep, uncontrollable hatred spilling from her eyes.

And yet, a soft, eerie smile curled onto her red lips.

"If you hate me so much, why don't you just kill me?"

Joshua looked at her as if she were insane. "Hate you? Ms. Williams, where did you get that idea?"

"If you don't hate me, why go to such incredible lengths to destroy everyone around me?" Aurora sneered.

Joshua let out a low chuckle.

"Well, taking down Leonard was revenge for Star. Taking down Jonathan clears the path for Star to become the head of the family. Taking down Sellers lets Star swallow up more of the Burton family's market share. But taking down you..."

Joshua looked her up and down, feigning confusion.

"What exactly would Star gain from that? To be perfectly honest, I prefer opponents who actually pose a challenge. Ms. Williams, you simply don't qualify."

Aurora's fists clenched involuntarily. In a single moment, every ounce of her pride was crushed to dust.

Joshua's gaze drifted lazily down to her stomach.

A flash of defensive panic crossed Aurora's eyes, and she unconsciously took a few steps back.

The only reason she had dared to confront him was that Joshua seemed to have a rule against getting his hands dirty with women—whether it was Rachel Pearce, Simone Lerman, or herself.

He was about to say more when he suddenly felt a dark, heavy gaze locking onto him.

Antoney turned his head and saw Joshua standing a short distance away. The man's eyes were completely unreadable, making Antoney wonder if the sudden chill he felt was just his imagination.

Brushing it off, Antoney offered a friendly greeting. "Joshua."

Joshua gave a curt nod. "Antoney."

Since it was already lunchtime, Stella had booked a private room at a nearby restaurant. The group headed straight there.

Halfway through the meal, Stella had to step out into the hallway to take a work call.

Just as she hung up and turned back toward the room, someone blocked her path.

"Ms. Cameron."

Stella looked up, slightly taken aback.

It was Laurel Quinn.