The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Stella met Israel's furious glare with icy calm. "And why exactly should I listen to you?"

Israel faltered, momentarily taken aback.noveldrama

Even Coleman and Aurora looked at her in disbelief.

Coleman's voice, usually warm, had turned cold. "Stella, that's enough. Leonard is a guest of the Lerman family-he's not yours to treat however you like.

I'm warning you. Apologize to Leonard, right now, or "

Stella cut him off. "Or what? You'll throw me out again, like last time? Maybe call security and have them drag me out?"

She settled back onto the couch, unbothered. Joshua, ever attentive, offered her a sanitizing wipe.

Stella took her time, meticulously cleaning the hand she'd just used to slap Leonard across the face.

Once again, she felt a silent surge of gratitude-Joshua always seemed to know exactly what she needed, sometimes even before she did.

Israel watched her act so fearlessly, his expression growing darker by the second.

By now, the commotion had drawn attention from every corner of the room. Guests stared, wide-eyed, at the unfolding scene—some in shock, but others merely shrugged. To them, it was business as usual.

Leonard, after all, had a reputation-Aurora's persistent admirer, always swooping in to "defend❞ her from anyone he deemed a threat. And everyone knew that stepchildren and biological children rarely got along in families like theirs.

So Stella and Leonard being at odds? Hardly surprising. In fact, considering Leonard's abrasive personality, some even suspected he'd provoked her first.

Still, even if Leonard had instigated things, Stella's reaction was a bit much. There's an old rule: if you must hit someone, at least spare their face. Stella, though, had aimed right for it.

Coleman's face went rigid, equal parts shock and rising fury. With all these guests watching, Stella hadn't spared him a shred of dignity.

The worst part? He'd only tried to protect her, worried she'd made an enemy out of Leonard and would face retaliation. But she refused to appreciate it.

Simone, meanwhile, was dabbing a wine-stained napkin at Leonard's cheek, shooting Stella a look so cold it could freeze water.

"Ms. Cameron, what exactly did my brother do to deserve this? Why are you treating him this way?" she demanded, before turning to Israel and Coleman. "The Williams family owes us an explanation tonight."

Israel and Coleman exchanged grim looks. Coleman tried again, "Stella-”

But Stella's voice cut through, cool and unyielding. "If you're here to demand an apology from me, don't waste your breath. With so many people watching, I'd hate to embarrass you further. Because no

matter what you say, I'm not

apologizing to him."

Her gaze swept over the Williams family, her expression cold as steel, her words sharp and clear as ice.

"I haven't thrown him out tonight

only because this is supposed to be

a celebration for me. I don't want to

ruin the mood. But if any of you keep meddling, don't blame me for

making a scene you can't recover from."

Leaning back, Stella commanded the room, utterly unafraid of the crowd arrayed against her.

Israel, hot-tempered as ever, charged forward, looking for all the world like he might explode.

"Stella, you're out of line!"

But before he could get any closer, someone kicked his shin-hard.

Israel lost his balance and crashed to his knees at Stella's feet.

Joshua grinned. "Mr. Israel, I know you're thrilled to have Star officially back in the Williams family, but there's no need for such a grand gesture. She'll be embarrassed!"

A few young men in the back, never fans of Israel, burst into laughter. Several guests raised their phones to capture the spectacle.

And so, for the first time in his life, Israel found himself kneeling at Stella's feet— utterly humiliated, the unwilling clown in someone else's show.