The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 534

“It’s just a bit of harmless bickering between the kids, Mr. Burton. No need to take it to heart.”

As he spoke, he turned to Stella.

“Raven, I’d like to have a word with you in private.”

Stella hadn’t planned on talking to Skyler, but considering she still needed the Williams family’s help with her academic credentials, she gave a small nod.

Just as she was about to leave, Nicolle spoke up as well.

“Ms. Cameron, I’d like to have a chat with you later too, if you’re free?”

Seeing Nicolle, Stella could guess it was probably about Antoney.

She agreed, “Of course, Mr. Watson.”

A top graduate and so polite, Nicolle thought, feeling quite satisfied.

After exchanging a few words with Mr. Burton, Stella left the room with Skyler and Jonathan.

Aurora alone remained, lingering in the room.

Mr. Burton glanced at her, his expression unreadable.

“Aurora, aren’t you joining them?”

Aurora gave a small laugh and shook her head.

“No, I don’t think Ms. Cameron wants me there right now.”

—

The door had barely closed before Jonathan spoke bluntly.

“Stella, you can’t agree to the Watsons adopting you.”

Stella’s expression was cool. “And why not?”

“Raven, whatever the Watsons offer, I can give you too. I was already planning on giving you a ten percent share.”

Stella knew as well as anyone that nothing in this world came free. If she accepted those shares, the rest of her life would be under the Williams family’s control. They might even try to marry her off for their own benefit.

She replied calmly, “You can keep the shares. I don’t need them. What I do need is your cooperation to correct my name on my academic records. It doesn’t match the one I use now.”

Skyler frowned. “Raven, you don’t like this name?”

Stella’s smile was half-amused, half-cold. “Who would want to spend their life as someone else’s shadow?”

Skyler rushed to explain, “You’re misunderstanding. The name wasn’t meant to make you anyone’s shadow. It’s just—”

Stella cut him off. “It doesn’t matter what it was meant to be. There’s no need to explain. All I need now is for the Williams family to give me the adoption paperwork and an official letter, so I can get my records changed.”

Skyler tried again. “If you don’t like that name, then just go by Stella Williams… Stella is a beautiful name.”

Stella looked at him, her voice flat. “It’s just a name. Is it so shameful to take my mother’s surname? She gave me this name herself—it’s the only thing she left me in this world. You always said you could never forget her, so why are you so hung up on a name?”