The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 470

Rachel was shockingly blunt.

Yet Lauretta’s smile didn’t falter for a moment. Her tone remained calm and polite, gracious as ever.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Pearce, but this is a personal matter. I don’t owe you an explanation.”

Rachel paused, caught off guard.

Lauretta’s manner stayed friendly, but there was a subtle sharpness behind her words now.

“And, Ms. Pearce, it’s quite rude to make malicious assumptions about others.”

Rachel’s expression flickered.

Just seeing Stella there had already tipped her off—Lauretta was definitely going to refuse her request.

At that moment, a man’s deep, pleasant voice broke the tension.

“Ms. Chapman, Rachel is terminally ill, and this might be her final concert. I hope, as fellow alumni, you’d be willing to help her out.”

Haynes hesitated, his voice unusually sincere.

“If you’re willing, I’ll owe you a favor. Or, if you have any conditions, just name them.”

Lauretta gave a gentle, flawless smile.

“I truly sympathize with Ms. Pearce’s situation. But I’m sorry—I’ve already promised a friend to help her, and I can’t go back on my word.

After all, integrity is the foundation of character.

I’m afraid I must decline, Mr. O’Brien and Ms. Pearce. You’ll have to find someone else.”

With those words, Lauretta effectively blocked every avenue Haynes had tried.

Lauretta was Ms. Chapman, after all. If word got out that she broke a promise, it could damage her family’s reputation. That kind of consequence was more than anyone at the table could afford.

Lauretta chose two from Stella’s suggestions.

“Star, you still like spicy food, right? Your tastes haven’t changed all these years?”

Stella nodded.

“Great, then let’s go with these two,” Lauretta decided.

She also ordered two glasses of Stella’s favorite juice.

Haynes’s dark eyes narrowed slightly.

He’d doubted that Lauretta and Stella were genuinely close—after all, they came from such different worlds. But watching the ease and familiarity between them, the way they knew each other’s preferences and shared a natural rapport, he realized they were far more than casual friends.

Maybe… they really were best friends.

Once the two had finished ordering, Haynes suddenly asked, “Ms. Chapman, I’m curious—how did you and Star meet?”