The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Joshua, standing nearby, remarked, "Leonard even tried to force Star to apologize."

Abby scoffed. "He's got some nerve, hasn't he?"

If she wanted to get back at Leonard, there was no point in just targeting him alone. The only way was to strike from within the Lerman family itself.

Now that she'd arrived in Solmaris, her previous plans could finally move forward.

Abby hadn't been idle these past few weeks. She'd already done some digging and found out what Harland had been up to.

...Which turned out to be nothing at all.

Harland, crippled by his condition, hardly ever left his home-he barely even left his room.

On top of that, Abby had uncovered something else: not only was Harland disabled, he was also blind.

She couldn't help but suspect that Leonard, with his ruthless streak, had something to do with that as well.

A blind, crippled man stood no chance of ever reclaiming the family leadership.

Abby wondered if she should shift her focus to someone else. But the others probably didn't hate Leonard nearly as much.

Then again, someone like Harland might actually be ideal-easier to control, less likely to notice if she slipped out some confidential files or secrets.

The problem was, she had no way of getting close to him.

Unless...

Abby's eyes glinted with a sudden idea.

She could apply for a job as a housekeeper in his home.

But if she left, what about Star? Who would look after her?

Abby hesitated, torn between the possibilities.

Stella, noticing Abby's troubled expression, asked gently, "Abby, is something on your mind?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Abby forced a smile. "Oh, nothing. I was just wondering what evidence Joshua has on Leonard."

Joshua replied, "I haven't got it just yet. Once I do, you'll be the first to know."

Stella didn't seem too concerned. She was almost looking forward to watching Leonard and the Williams family make fools of themselves once the truth came out.

As they left the ballroom together, another thought struck Abby. "By the way, Star, where's Foreman? Didn't you say he'd be here tonight?"

Stella frowned in surprise. "He did say he'd come. Didn't you see him earlier?"

"No," Abby replied. "Do you think he stayed away to avoid running into Haynes?"

Stella's brow furrowed. "Rachel's not around anymore. Foreman doesn't have a reason to avoid anyone."

Abby realized she hadn't thought about Rachel in ages. Once upon a time, she'd absolutely despised that manipulative girl, but after meeting Leonard, Rachel's petty grudges seemed almost trivial by comparison.

She asked, "Rachel's been awfully quiet lately. That's not like her at all... Star, have you heard anything from her?"noveldrama

Stella shook her head. "No. After she threw acid at Aurora, neither the Williams family nor Leonard would let her off easily. I doubt she'd dare show her face again."

Abby laughed. "God knows what got into her, throwing acid at Simone... But honestly, no matter the reason, watching those two turn on each other is pretty damn satisfying."

Joshua raised an eyebrow at that. "Rachel's been quiet for too long."

Abby glanced his way. "You think so

too? It's never a good sign when someone like her goes silent. We

need to keep our guard up, or she'll catchus off-guard. If she teams up with the Lerman siblings, we could be in for a world of trouble.

Joshua's eyes darkened with a thoughtful glint. "Don't worry. She won't."

Abby

guarak her head. "That's not

Back someone into a

and even the tamest will bite. Rachel's desperate-there's no telling what she might do next."