The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 2238

"A voluntary marriage agreement makes sense for his narrative," Beckett mused. "As for the divorce agreement... if Stella thinks she's ever getting a divorce, she's dreaming. There is absolutely a trap hidden in that paperwork. Let me think about what it could be..."

Suddenly catching onto something, Beckett said, "Give me a minute. I'm going to have someone look into this. I'll call you right back."

Laurel had no idea what he was investigating, but she agreed.

About half an hour later, Beckett's name flashed on her screen again.

"I knew it!" Beckett sounded triumphant but utterly appalled. "I knew he wouldn't offer a divorce agreement without a catch. If I hadn't looked into it, I never would have believed it. Stella is never getting a divorce. Not in this lifetime."

"I don't understand," Laurel said, confused. "What did he do? I read both documents carefully, and there were no loopholes."

"The documents themselves are airtight, of course," Beckett said. "If the physical paperwork was flawed, it would be a dead giveaway that his entire 'fake marriage' sob story was a lie. And even if Stella was too distracted to notice in the moment, she'd eventually review them and figure it out. Joshua wouldn't leave a paper trail of his deception."

"Then what was the point of signing them?"

"It was all a flawlessly designed, bespoke trap just for her," Beckett explained. "Since she's trapped inside the illusion, she can't see the edges. But as outsiders with a wider view, the anomalies are glaring. Almost everyone involved is on Joshua's payroll. Leonard is the only one on Stella's side. Even if Leonard was duped initially, he's going to connect the dots the second news of this marriage breaks. But because he 'kidnapped' Juniper, his credibility with Stella is in the gutter. Still, if he tries to warn her, it might plant a seed of doubt. Those flawlessly drafted agreements? They were a psychological insurance policy to make his lie bulletproof. If I hadn't worked alongside him and seen firsthand how twisted he can be, even I might have been fooled."

Laurel's curiosity was peaking. "What exactly did you find? Why do you keep saying she can't get a divorce?"

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