The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

He was an exceptionally handsome man.

Every man who ever lingered around Stella was, without exception, easy on the eyes.

Even Jasper, who was not exactly the sharpest tool in the shed, had strikingly good features.

Let's not even mention Neville, Antoney, and the others—their looks were all easily a nine out of ten.

Then there were her three brothers from the Williams family, each one more distinguished and charming than the next.

Yet the man before her now-he outshone them all, perhaps even Haynes himself.

Looking back, it had been all too easy for Stella to fall for Haynes.

Partly, it was because he had known about her pregnancy and hadn't hesitated to step up, taking responsibility and even standing up to his own family for her sake. Haynes had seemed the very picture of a dependable man.

But if she was being honest, it was Haynes's impossibly attractive face that truly made him hard to resist.

Otherwise, Rachel would never have spun such a wild web of lies, or been willing to play the other woman just to steal him away.

Stella gave the man a polite, apologetic nod before making her way out.

As she turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of his tall, slim figure striding purposefully down the hall.

A flicker of curiosity flashed in her eyes.

Who was he?

Was he here for Mr. Burton's birthday dinner too?

She was sure she hadn't seen him among the guests earlier.

But the thought vanished as quickly as it came, and Stella pushed it to the back of her mind.

Returning to the ballroom, she went in search of Nicolle.

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Before Nicolle could say anything about why he'd asked to meet, Stella spoke up. "Mr. Watson, I've already talked to my mentor about your request. After the last concert three months from now, he'll most likely head home. I hope you can give him a little more time."

Nicolle's eyes lit up. "He's really agreed to come back?"

"I can't give you a hundred percent guarantee," Stella replied honestly, "but I'd say there's an eighty percent chance. He's always been someone who thinks things through carefully. He just needs a little more time to sort out his feelings. Please, don't rush him."

Nicolle's excitement was impossible to hide. "I'm not in a hurry-as long as he's willing to come back, that's all I could ask for! Ms. Cameron, thank you, truly."

He seemed to recall something. "Ms. Cameron, about that adoption matter I mentioned before..."

Stella shook her head gently. "Your kindness means a lot to me, Mr. Watson, but you know about my connection to the Williams family. If I agreed to be adopted, it wouldn't do the Watsons any favors."

When Nicolle had first suggested adopting Stella, he hadn't known about her true identity.

Even after finding out, he'd only hesitated for a moment before making up his mind.

"The Williams family may be powerful," Nicolle said, "but the Watsons aren't exactly small fry. I'm not afraid of upsetting Skyler. You don't need to let that weigh on you."

For Nicolle, getting Antoney to come back to the Watson family was worth any risk.

He wasn't concerned about making enemies. What truly terrified him was the thought of leaving his family's legacy to someone unworthy, or-worse still-to strangers.

He was too old to consider having more children, and even if he did, what if the new kid turned out like Florrie-hopeless and incorrigible? He'd probably leap straight out of his grave in anger.noveldrama

He'd already looked into Antoney, and the young man had proven himself in every way that mattered-character, ability, integrity.

But what impressed Nicolle most was Antoney's kindness and willingness to help others.

If the Watson family ended up in his hands, Nicolle knew he would look after Florrie, too.

So long as Antoney was willing to return, Nicolle was prepared to pay any price.

Stella smiled. "Mr. Watson, my

mentor and I grew up together. He's like a real brother to me. All I want is for him to be happy. Family isn't about personal gain. Besides, he's already done more than enough for me." śwnovel