The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella listened with a gentle smile, content to let the conversation flow around her without adding anything of her own.

Back in the main hall, Florrie immediately spotted Aurora.

It was impossible not to notice her-Aurora shone with a kind of effortless brilliance, both in looks and in poise, that made her the undeniable center of attention wherever she went.

But Aurora wasn't alone. A cluster of young women surrounded her, each one the daughter of one of the city's most prominent families.

Aurora was chatting with a girl her own age-pretty, bright-eyed, and quick to laugh.

Florrie nodded toward them. "See the girl standing across from Aurora? That's Adah Gardner—one of her closest friends and the eldest daughter of the Gardner family."

"The Gardner family?" Stella echoed.

Florrie explained, "The Williams, Chapman, Gardner, Lerman, Burton, and our own Watson family-they make up the six leading families in Novaris."

She gestured discreetly as she spoke. "I'm just talking about the Novaris families, of course. There are other prominent families from abroad, but Mr. Burton is old- fashioned and didn't invite any outsiders to this event."

As Florrie listed the names, Stella realized she actually knew quite a few of these high-profile families.

The Williams and Burton families, of course-those went without saying.

The Chapmans were the family of her good friend, Lauretta.

The Watsons belonged to Antoney.

Only the Lerman and Gardner families were unfamiliar to her.

Florrie continued, "You probably already know plenty about the Burtons and us Watsons, so I won't bore you with that.

The Williams family has three sons and a daughter, all of them are the talk of every social circle in the city.

Rumor has it that the Williams' eldest son is in talks to unite with the Chapman family—an alliance through marriage, a classic power move.

Now, as for the Lermans..."

Florrie paused, lowering her voice.

"The current head of the Lerman family is actually one of Aurora's admirers. From what I've heard, he only managed to claim that position because of her."

Stella turned to her. "What do you mean?"

Florrie gave a knowing little smile. "The Lerman family's head is Leonard Lerman. He's supposedly

- mate son, never much liked

liked

by the rest of the family.

He and his mother have always lived on the fringes-barely tolerated, never truly belonging. Leonard himself was never ambitious, and honestly, he always seemed a bit lost, drifting through life without purpose.

Things were quiet, up until the night he met Aurora at some party.noveldrama

Now, a girl like Aurora could have her pick of suitors-every eligible bachelor in the city is half in love with her.

Someone like Leonard? He didn't stand a chance.

I'm not sure exactly what happened between them, but I heard Aurora once said she'd only ever fall for the strongest man in the room.

And with that, Leonard transformed overnight-he fought tooth and nail, and somehow, against all odds, claimed the head seat of the Lerman family."

Stella's curiosity was piqued. "So, when Leonard became the family head, did Aurora agree to be with him?"

Florrie snorted softly. "He went straight to the Williams family to propose, but Skyler threw him out on the spot.

I heard Leonard did some pretty ruthless things to get that position-nobody knows exactly what, but there's plenty of talk about blood on his hands.

Skyler would never let Aurora marry someone like that.

Still, Leonard is nothing if not devoted-he's been waiting for Aurora ever since, no matter how impossible it seems."

Stella nodded, realizing she hadn't known any of this gossip back when she spent time with the Williams family.

Florrie leaned in again. "And then there's the Gardner family. They're... well, strange."

“Strange?” Stella asked, intrigued.

Florrie glanced around, making sure nobody overheard, then spoke in a near- whisper.

"The head of the Gardner family has never appeared at any public event. It's bizarre-people have all sorts of theories."

"Why doesn't he show his face?" Stella pressed.

"There are rumors he was in a

terrible car

accident-some say he's

disabled, others claim he was left

disfigured and now he's too O

ashamed to be seen in public."