The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 429

Stella’s face cooled. “And what if I refuse?”

“You’re Keen’s mother. I don’t want to force you, or have this turn ugly.”

“So, is that a threat?” Stella let out a dry laugh. “You know I’m Keen’s mother, yet you want me to become Rachel’s personal composer? Work for your mistress?”

“I told you, there’s nothing going on between Rachel and me. She’s not my mistress.”

Does it even matter whether Rachel is his mistress?

What mattered was that Stella refused—she wouldn’t become Rachel’s on-call composer.

Fury simmered beneath Stella’s smile. “The opportunities that should have been mine, you handed to Rachel. The studio that should have belonged to me, you want me to give up for Rachel. And now you want me to serve as Rachel’s personal composer? Haynes, you really know how to milk me for everything I have, don’t you?”

Haynes’ eyes were dark and distant. “I’ll give you time to consider. Answer me when you’re ready.”

Stella didn’t hesitate. “There’s nothing to consider. My answer is no.”

Haynes stared at her for a long moment, silent.

His gaze was cold—emotionless, unreadable—yet it sent a chill through the room.

After what felt like an eternity, Haynes finally spoke. “If you agree now, you can name your terms. Next time we talk, I’m afraid… things won’t be this easy.”

Stella let out a soft, dismissive laugh, her answer plain as day.

Haynes said nothing more. He turned and walked out.

Stella watched his retreating figure, her face expressionless.

Either way, Haynes suddenly asking about the studio now caught Benson off guard.

Haynes pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

He only knew that Rachel had finally found a studio she truly liked—unfortunately for everyone, it just happened to be Stella’s.

The compensation Haynes offered was generous by any measure. But for someone like Antoney Watson, a couple million dollars was pocket change. With the concert season about to begin, two million was nothing compared to the scale of their events.

In fact, Haynes had originally planned to compensate Stella with five million. She was, after all, his ex-wife and the mother of his child. He wasn’t cheap—not that cheap.

If Stella would just soften, even a little, money would never be the issue.

But Stella was stubborn to the core—she’d never back down.