The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"And remember, Miss Lerman and Aurora were also in the car with you."

Neville weighed the situation with cool, level-headed logic. "Given how the Williams family dotes on Aurora and how badly they misunderstand you, it's going to be almost impossible to clear your name."

He paused, voice grave. "There's something else..."

Neville's gaze settled on Stella, his eyes darkening.

"Even though Sellers hit you first, he could easily claim he lost control of the car. And when you managed to shake them off, you could have just driven away. Instead, you chose to ram into his car. They'll use that against you, you know they will."

He let the words hang between them. "Star, you need to prepare yourself. Sellers... is not someone who gives up easily."

The Burtons were a powerful, sprawling family with more than their fair share of infighting. For Sellers to emerge as the new head of the Burtons, he had to be formidable-dangerous, even. Even Neville knew he wouldn't come out on top in a direct confrontation with Sellers.

Stella gave a small, almost mischievous smile. "I know. But don't worry, Neville. I've already got a plan for dealing with Sellers."

Neville was just about to ask what she meant when someone knocked on the hospital room door.

Haynes came in, carrying a bag of late-night snacks. The moment he saw Neville, his expression darkened.

"Neville. What are you doing here?"

Neville, knowing Stella was in the hospital, had also guessed that Haynes would be here too. He just smiled, the picture of nonchalance. "I'm here to see Star. I have something for her."

He pulled out his phone. "Star, do you remember when Rachel pushed you into the river, and the recording on your phone mysteriously disappeared?”

Stella's eyes widened a fraction. "You recovered the audio?"

Neville grinned. "Not only that. I found something even better." "What is it?"

He handed the phone to Haynes. "Mr. O'Brien, why don't you take a look?"

Haynes looked like he'd rather do anything else, but he took the phone

anyway, a flicker of open dislike in

his eyes. Neville didn't seem to mind, his lazy smile still in place.

Haynes pressed play.

It was a surveillance video, showing the bridge where Stella had been pushed into the water. The camera angle was from above, but the footage was remarkably clear you could see every expression, and even the surrounding sounds were perfectly audible.

Rachel had been sure there were no cameras nearby, which was why she'd felt

so free to taunt Stella, her words sharp and cruel.

The video captured it all, every detail.

"The car accident? Haynie believed

me. Even after he learned the truth, he didn't t blame me. He didn't even hold me accountable. Stella, you're just like that pianist who got

ver

replaced. If I want you gone, Haynie

will toss you aside without a second thought."

"And now, I've moved into your new studio. See? Anything I want, Haynie will find

a way to give it to me. Including your special guest spot."

Rachel's smug, self-satisfied face filled the screen.

Haynes watched, his lips drawn into a tight line, a cold glint in his eyes.noveldrama

Then Rachel grabbed Stella's wrist, her smile twisting with something almost unhinged her eyes full of challenge and malice.

"Do you really think there's anything I could do that would make Haynie blame me? Even if it meant... killing you?"

The video ended there.