The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 909

Jonathan’s expression was somber, yet even he had to admit that Haynes had a point.

Was Stella’s status as the daughter of the Williams family really any less respectable than Haynes’s ex-wife’s?

Besides, the company’s falling stock prices were no good for Stella either. Eventually, she’d receive a portion of the shares herself. If the Williams Group’s value dropped, she’d be affected too.

He’d let anger cloud his judgment, assuming right away that Stella was behind it all.

Trying to ease the awkward tension, Jonathan reached for his glass and took a sip of water, feigning nonchalance. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Skyler sitting quietly nearby.

He’d misjudged Stella—there was no denying it. But at that moment, his father had clearly shared the same suspicion.

Stella glanced at Haynes, a strange, hard-to-name emotion stirring in her chest. It felt almost surreal—this was the first time Haynes had spoken up for her the way he always defended Rachel Pearce.

If this had happened before their divorce, she might have been so moved she’d burst into tears. Now, though… it didn’t feel nearly as gratifying as she’d imagined.

Still, even if Stella wasn’t exactly happy, she was grateful to Haynes for stepping up for her in this moment. Since he’d already said his piece, she saw no reason to contradict him or make things more complicated.

For some reason, Neville’s words suddenly echoed in her mind.

“If you really want to find out whether Ms. Cameron was behind this, I know a better way.”

Stella snapped out of her thoughts, instinctively turning toward the sound.

A tall, imposing man stood at the landing, though she hadn’t noticed him arrive or how long he’d been there. His features were striking—sharp, almost sculpted, with a kind of cold elegance. His skin was pale, not with the healthy fairness of someone who spent time outdoors, but with the pallor of someone rarely touched by sunlight.

At that moment, the corners of his lips curved into a razor-thin smile. His gloomy eyes were like poisoned ice—so chillingly dark that even sunlight would be swallowed whole within them.