The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes O'Brien let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "A grown man who gets by on his looks, pandering to women for their affection-yet not only does he feel no shame, he's actually proud of it. You're a disgrace to men everywhere."

Joshua Gardner didn't even flinch at the insult. Instead, he looked Haynes up and down, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Let's not kid ourselves, Haynes. Star only chose you because of your face, too. If you think about it, we're not so different. We both lean on our looks. So, tell me, which of us is really better than the other?"

He tilted his head, his gaze sly. "Mr. O'Brien, you should really wipe that jealous look off your face-it doesn't suit you. Isn't this all because you're envious? I'm younger, fitter, and clearly more appealing to Star than you'll ever be."

Joshua's tone turned mocking. "Instead of wasting your time picking fights with me, maybe you should hit the gym, take care of yourself a little. After all, even if you manage to get rid of me, there are millions of other men out there. Are you planning to eliminate every single one of them, Mr. O'Brien?"

Haynes was almost amused by the absurdity of it all—a man he looked down on, taunting him to his face. The ridiculousness of it made him laugh coldly. "You're awfully cocky. Does Stella Cameron know you're like this?"

Joshua grinned, completely unconcerned. "Of course she doesn't. And I don't intend for her to find out."

He paused, his smile deepening. "I want to save my best self for Star. The rest— the sides of me that don't matter-can be left for everyone else."

Haynes had seen arrogance before-Jasper Wilkinson, Sellers Burton-they all had something to back it up. But Joshua's brand of arrogance was something else. What exactly did he have, other than the confidence that Stella would protect him? Letting a woman defend a man-how thick-skinned could someone be?

A cold, contemptuous smile touched Haynes' lips. "Don't overestimate your own importance. Like you said, the world is full of men just like you. But right now, there's only one father to her child-and that's me. If either of us wanted you gone, it would take just a word."

Joshua looked like he wanted to retort, but his expression shifted subtly, as if he'd caught something the others hadn't. His eyes sharpened, and his tone changed.

"Mr. O'Brien, Lknow I'm just a nobody, powerless and unimportant. Getting rid of me would be as easy as squashing a bug. But here's the thing no matter how much you threaten me, I won't leave MS Cameron. And I'd never betray her don't know what I did to offend you, Mr. O'Brien, or why you're so set against me, but I have my pride too. You can dislike me all you want, but you don't get to trample on my character."

Haynes' voice was dripping with scorn. "Character? Men who live off women have none."

He fixed Joshua with a cold glare. "I've warned you more than once to stay away from Stella. If you keep ignoring me, don't blame me for what happens next."

At that moment, Stella, who'd been standing outside, finally had enough. She strode into the room, her expression icy.

"That's enough, Haynes."

Her voice was sharper than he'd ever heard it, and the look she gave him was colder still.

"Haynes, last time you went after my mentor. Now you're trying to pull the same stunt with the people around me?"

She still believed, even now, that

Haynes had orchestrated the

rumors against Antoney Watson hernoveldrama

mentor. Hearing the heated

argument, she naturally assumed Haynes was up to his old tricks.

Haynes frowned, confused. "What are you talking about?"

He had no idea what she was referring to.

and

Stella's tone was like a blade. “Have you forgotten? You forced me to give up my studio last time and pushed me to compose for Rachel Pearce and you used my mentor as leverage."