The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

The next day.

Abby went off to help make arrangements for a place to rent, while Stella took the man to see Mr. Burton.

For convenience, Stella had decided to call him "Joshua" for now.

When she brought Joshua to Mr. Burton's office, the old man eyed him with a deep frown, shaking his head.

"I've never seen him before. Doesn't ring any bells."

A man with looks like his-if Mr. Burton had met him even once, he'd have remembered.

Stella pressed on. "Mr. Burton, do you think you can do anything about his amnesia?"

Mr. Burton stroked his snowy beard. "I've treated all sorts of complicated illnesses, even some hopeless cases. But memory loss... that's a tough one. Still, let me have a look at him first."

Joshua quietly took the seat in front of Mr. Burton, greeting him politely—a picture of harmless obedience.

Mr. Burton narrowed his eyes, sharp and shrewd, studying the man in front of him. Joshua let him look, keeping a faint, easy smile and an untroubled expression.

After a moment, Mr. Burton looked away and reached for Joshua's wrist, checking his pulse.

But memory loss wasn't something you could diagnose with a pulse.

He set Joshua's hand down. "I'm afraid I can't help with his amnesia."

Stella had expected as much, so she wasn't too disappointed. She'd just wanted to try her luck.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Burton."

Suddenly, Mr. Burton changed the subject. "Stella, about that trouble with Sherman yesterday I had someone look into it. Sorry you had to put up with that."

Stella waved it away. "It's not your responsibility, Mr. Burton. Honestly, I was just glad you didn't blame me for not going easy on him.”

Mr. Burton nodded. “He messed up, and you put him in his place. That's exactly what he needed. Don't worry about me. If that brat causes you trouble again, come straight to me I'll make sure he regrets it."

He sighed, shaking his head. "I've watched that boy grow up. Used to be loyal and kind-hearted. How'd he end up like this?"

Their conversation wasn't exactly private, but it wasn't anything Joshua couldn't hear, either.

Mr. Burton shifted gears again. "Since you and Sherman are clearly not going to happen, have you ever considered Sherman's uncle, Sellers Burton? He's eight years older than you still single. Might be a bit older, but he's a caring man-and he's set to inherit the Burton family estate."

Joshua glanced over, expression unreadable.

Stella could only smile helplessly. "I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Burton, but I'm really not looking to date anyone right now."

The fact that Mr. Burton was willing to introduce her to the next Burton heir showed how much he valued her.

He shot a glance at Joshua. "Finding

a good family is harder than finding a good man. If you married into the Burtons, I'd personally guarantee no one in the family would dare treat you badly. And I'll honor our O agreement-you'd get that ten percent stake in The Burton Group.”

Stella hesitated, speechless.

Mr. Burton clearly hadn't given up on the idea of bringing her into the family.

She opened her mouth to refuse, but he cut her off.noveldrama

"That's settled, then. When Sellers is back in Neo-Vespera in a few weeks, I'll arrange for you two to meet. Just one meeting-whether you like him or not is up to you."

He wasn't ab

about to let such a

promising young woman get swept away by someone else. Especially not by this mysterious young man standing in front of him-there was something odd about him, even if he couldn't put his finger on what it wás.