The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 2237

"But why would she escape halfway?" Laurel asked, confused. "Wouldn't staying kidnapped make the setup even more believable?"

"Think about it," Beckett reasoned. "If Leonard held her hostage, Stella would definitely demand her release. Leonard probably wouldn't be able to say no to Stella, and he'd just hand Juniper over. If Juniper comes back safe and sound, how is Joshua supposed to guilt Stella into marrying him? By escaping, Juniper controls the narrative. She and Joshua get to script exactly how the 'kidnapping' went down, and Leonard is left with zero proof to defend himself. I have to admit, it's brilliant.

And those Gardner family members? Probably just a bunch of paid actors Joshua brought in. You know how much power Joshua holds over that family, just like Stella does. Anyone who dared cross him is already six feet under. He's been ruling the Gardners for three years—do you really think he can't handle a little internal mutiny? That whole stolen heirloom, the arranged marriage with a princess, the kidnapping—it's all a load of garbage. I highly doubt his precious heirloom was ever stolen in the first place. Men are liars, and he's the devil himself. He opens his mouth and a script falls out. It's just you and Stella who stubbornly believe he's some tragic hero. I actually feel sorry for Stella. With that many people gaslighting her at once, anyone would lose their mind."

Laurel was stunned into silence.

After a long pause, she murmured, "Stella looked awful today. I bet she hasn't slept properly since she found out he was getting married. So... he sent Juniper to taunt her on purpose, too."

Beckett scoffed. "Joshua thrives on psychological warfare. He orchestrated this entire domino effect just to keep Stella emotionally compromised, completely eroding her judgment before the wedding. That's why he dropped the news of his marriage so early and used Juniper to keep her off-balance. By framing Leonard, he didn't just ruin his rival—he burdened Stella with overwhelming guilt.

He used her savior complex and moral compass against her. There was no way she was going to stand by and watch him lose his empire because of something 'she' caused. Even ignoring the fact that he literally took a bullet for both her and Leonard during that assassination attempt, there's their history. Stella wouldn't be where she is today without his unconditional support. Whether she's in love with him or not, he backed her into a corner where she had to marry him."

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