The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

"Mr. Watson, you have my word-what you're worried about will never happen."

Without Antoney's funding and connections, there was simply no way she could have set up both the studio and the concert in such a short time. She was just a newly divorced homemaker, with neither money nor resources to her name.

And organizing a concert? It took far more than just cash. There was the venue to secure, equipment to rent, staff to hire-every piece was essential.noveldrama

Nicolle studied the young woman before him and felt a sudden wave of shame. He'd wanted to adopt Stella for his own reasons. He feared Antoney wouldn't return to the Watson family, feared Antoney might marry her, and feared... that she would use gratitude as leverage.

But she never once asked for anything in return. All she wanted was for Antoney to have a better life.

And yet, he had judged her through the lens of his own cynicism.

Now, Nicolle finally understood why someone as willful as Mr. Burton treated Stella with such rare respect. No wonder Antoney would rather walk away from a fortune than come back.

This girl truly was remarkable.

Even if Stella refused, Nicolle couldn't let go of the issue of the shares. That ten percent of the company was rightfully hers. Once Antoney came back to the Watson family, Nicolle would discuss it with him. Getting Stella to sign a document or two shouldn't be a problem for Antoney.

Nicolle nodded, dropping the subject of adoption. "I understand."

They went on to chat about other onito things. Nicolle soon realized that, despite not growing up in the Williams family, Stella's poise and conversation were on par with any socialite-Aurora included. He had even considered helping Stella polish her manners, but now he saw it was unnecessary. In fact, Stella was more impressive than Florrie in many ways.

If Nicolle had a daughter like her, he'd probably wake up smiling from his dreams. She had achieved so much on her own; the Williams family should have invested heavily in her.

And from their earlier conversation, it was clear Stella wasn't an illegitimate child. She and Jonathan seemed to share both parents. Why, then, had she always been kept so hidden, as if she didn't exist at all? Not only had Nicolle never heard that Skyler had another daughter, even Florrie was unaware of Stella's existence.

Still, it wasn't Nicolle's place to pry into another family's affairs.

Shortly after, Stella rose to take her leave. No sooner had she stepped into the hallway than Florrie, who had been waiting outside, bounded up to her.

With boundless enthusiasm, Florrie introduced herself, "You're Stella, right? I'm Florrie Antoney's half-sister. From now on, we're family! You can just call me Florrie."

Florrie's friendliness was almost overwhelming, leaving Stella a bit at a loss for words.

"My dad talked to you about adopting you, right? That means we'll be real sisters soon!" Florrie slipped a jade bracelet from her wrist. didn't have time to prepare a

proper gift, so here-take this

now. When you officially join the Watson family, I'll get you something nicer."

Stella, knowing quality when she saw it, realized this bracelet was worth at least half a million dollars. She quickly protested, "Ms. Watson, thank you, but I'm not planning to join the Watson family at the moment."

Florrie froze, caught off guard. "Not planning to join... what do you mean?"

Stella smiled gently. "Antoney will return to the Watson family soon, but I won't be accepting the adoption—at least for now."