The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Star." Skyler's face was tinged with guilt as he spoke. "What happened back then was my fault. I should have believed you. I'm sorry."

He really was someone who could swallow his pride when necessary; even with his children watching, he didn't hesitate to admit his mistake. He seemed not to care about saving face at all.

Skyler continued, "I didn't invite Leonard to tonight's gathering. I had no idea he would show up."

He turned to Jonathan. "Jonathan, what's going on? Why is Leonard here?"

Jonathan had organized this entire party himself, partly to show how much Stella meant to the family. As the eldest son, he was known for being steady and

reliable. Skyler trusted him to handle such things.

Jonathan frowned, lowering his voice. "I'm sorry. I must have overlooked something."

Israel and Coleman exchanged confused glances.

"Dad, Jonathan, what's happening? Why can't Leonard be here?" Israel asked, echoing Aurora's bewilderment.

Clearly, neither Israel, Coleman, nor Aurora had any idea what had really happened.

Stella watched the scene with a cold, inward smile. She'd already noticed that Coleman, Israel, and Aurora were all in the dark about what Leonard had done to her. Not only had the Williams family failed to stand up for her after her hand was ruined—they were even trying to keep it quiet.

Did they really think she'd just let it go like a doormat, happy to keep the peace at her own expense?

Aurora turned to Jonathan, her voice gentle but urgent. "Jonathan, what's going on?"

Jonathan knew there was no way to keep this secret now, not after Stella's outburst. He took a breath and explained what had happened to Stella's hand, laying out the facts for everyone.

When he finished, Israel blurted out, "Could this be some kind of

misunderstanding?" He turned sharply toward Stella. "Are you sure you didn't make a mistake?"

Stella's lips curled in a thin smile. "My hand may be gone, but my eyes work just fine."

Coleman pressed, "Is there anyone who can confirm this?"

Jonathan answered, "Her best friend Abby was taken along with her. She saw everything."

Israel's gaze grew sharp. "So, besides Abby, there's no one else who can prove Leonard was the one who did this to you?"

Coleman's eyes narrowed as he considered a different angle. "Sellers disappeared in Sandford and hasn't been seen since. And now you're saying Leonard kidnapped you there and ruined your hand?" He looked at Stella with suspicion. "Stella, you know Sellers and Leonard have both tried to court Aurora. Are you sure you're not just trying to get rid of Aurora's closest supporters?"

Israel quickly chimed in, "Stella's been in Novaris, under the protection of Haynes and Neville. Even if the Burton family and the Lerman family are powerful, their reach doesn't extend that far. Besides, you don't have any hard evidence for this—just your word. I have every reason to doubt this story."

At first, Skyler and Jonathan hadn't second-guessed Stella's accusation; when she first told them, they believed her without hesitation. After all, Leonard had threatened her with a gun back in Neo-Vespera-he'd clearly crossed the line. noveldrama

But now, after hearing Israel and Coleman's doubts, both of them began to waver. Their gazes toward Stella grew uncertain.

Still, Skyler and Jonathan were seasoned enough not to say anything outright. Even if they doubted Stella, they kept it to themselves. And the possibility that Leonard actually did it remained.

Aurora, who'd been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up. “Why don't we just bring Leonard here and sort this out face to face?"

Joshua snorted. "How many murderers do you know who confess their crimes in front of everyone?"