The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 2188

At the mention of Juniper, Leonard frowned, his voice dropping an octave. "Did she give you a hard time?"

"No," Stella replied. "She already helped me set up a meeting with Joshua. It's tomorrow." She relayed the time and location to him.

"Stella, this woman is suspicious," Leonard warned, his tone grim. "If she's 'Q,' she probably knew about your relationship with Joshua from the start. Her showing up at the cafe wasn't a coincidence."

"Whether it was a coincidence or deliberate, it doesn't matter anymore," Stella said dismissively, clearly not wanting to dwell on it. "You should just focus on how we're going to get Calico back tomorrow. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."

After ending the call, Stella glanced at the forget-me-nots blooming on her windowsill. Laurel had managed to coax Juniper's identity out of Jake, which meant Jake and Harold intentionally used Laurel to leak the information. They wanted Stella to know that Juniper wasn't just some nobody in Joshua's life.

...

The next day, Stella and Leonard arrived early at The Athletic Club.

After waiting for about ten minutes, a delighted voice called out from behind them. "Miss Cameron? Mr. Lerman? You're here too? What a coincidence!"

Stella turned around to see Juniper putting on a flawless display of pleasant surprise.

Leonard shot her a freezing glare. What an actress.

His gaze shifted to Joshua, who stood beside her.

Joshua glanced at Stella and Leonard, then looked down at Juniper, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "Juniper, what's going on?"

Juniper looked the picture of innocence. "Huh? What do you mean? We just bumped into Miss Cameron and Mr. Lerman."

Joshua arched an eyebrow. "Bumped into?"

Once the women were out of earshot, Leonard demanded coldly, "Whatever grudge you have, take it out on me. Holding a cat hostage is a coward's move."

Joshua chuckled softly. "So, you finally know what it feels like to have someone take what's yours? And it's only been a week."

Leonard's pupils contracted. This man was as vindictive as ever.

"I don't care what your game is," Leonard warned, "but if you try to hurt Stella, I will end you."

Joshua's eyes resembled polished obsidian, glinting with a frigid, predatory edge. "And who exactly are you to dictate that to me?"

"If you want revenge, come at me anytime," Leonard shot back. "Stella hasn't done a damn thing to you."