The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 501

Although suspicion flickered in her mind, Stella Cameron had no intention of wasting her breath on a man like Jasper Wilkinson.

She shot Jasper a dismissive glance and turned to leave.

Jasper, however, took her indifference as a sign of guilt and quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“So I was right, wasn’t I? You snuck in here, didn’t you?”

Seeing Stella, Jasper puffed up like a cocksure rooster, instantly forgetting every word of advice Galen Wilkinson had given him.

He raised his voice for the whole room to hear. “Is anyone in charge here? There’s someone at this party who doesn’t have an invitation! A woman like this, sneaking in with who knows what intentions—she should be thrown out!”

Just then, Haynes O’Brien and Rachel Pearce entered the foyer and witnessed the commotion.

Keen O’Brien’s eyes lit up the moment he spotted Stella.

“Mom!”

Instinctively, he started to dash toward her, but Deanna O’Brien quickly caught him by the arm.

“Keen, your grandmother already explained how important tonight’s party is. What about your manners?”

Keen faltered, then obediently lowered his head and stood quietly by Deanna’s side.

Rachel hadn’t expected to see Stella here either. For a moment, she seemed caught off guard, but quickly collected herself.

She smiled, turning to Haynes. “Haynie, I wonder if Ms. Cameron is here to see you, or perhaps Mr. Walden... Let’s go and find out.”

Rachel didn’t actually think Stella was here for Haynes. Still, she couldn’t shake the sense of unease she felt whenever she remembered how determined Stella had seemed the last time she’d tried to meet Mr. Walden. Perhaps Stella really had come here for him.

Stella’s talent was undeniable. Even if Rachel didn’t want to admit it, she knew Stella outshone her in every way. Mr. Walden had come dangerously close to taking Stella on as his protégé. If Rachel hadn’t seized her chance and managed to become his last student before Stella ever got the chance, that place might have been Stella’s.

“Stella, what are you doing here?”

The man’s voice was low and cool, with an air of calm detachment. Dressed in a tailored black suit, he stood nearly six-foot-three, his striking, elegant presence impossible to ignore.

Stella looked at the small group in front of her, her expression icy.

“I don’t owe any of you an explanation for why I’m here.”

All she’d wanted was a quick word with the lighting technician about her entrance cues. Running into this crowd was the last thing she needed—just her luck.