The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Sherman never really posed a threat to him-he'd never taken the man seriously.

But now that Mr. Burton had publicly vouched for Stella, even Sherman wouldn't dare stand in the way. There was nothing he could say.

...

Mr. Burton's endorsement of Stella left the Watson family in the audience utterly stunned.

Florrie couldn't help but gloat a little. "Dad, looks like you're too late," she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eye. "You see how fond Mr. Burton is of Stella?"

Nicolle, however, refused to give up so easily. "Mr. Burton only said he'd take Stella on as his student. He never said anything about making her a granddaughter."

With Mr. Burton showing Stella such favor, Florrie knew it was all the more important to get on her good side.

After the performance, everyone made their way to the banquet hall. Florrie was the first to dash off, eager to find Stella.

Aurora noticed her friend's urgency and called after her, "Florrie, where are you rushing off to?"

It was only then that Florrie remembered she hadn't properly greeted Aurora yet. She circled back, a little sheepish. "I'm going to find Stella. You know, she's my brother's protégé."

Glancing around cautiously, Florrie lowered her voice. "My father's thinking about adopting Stella. Before that happens, I want to talk to her and see where she stands."

Aurora's eyes narrowed, surprise flickering across her usually controlled features. "Adopt her?"

Florrie nodded. She and Aurora had always been close, true confidantes, and Florrie was never one to keep secrets. She leaned in. "My dad's tried toget my brother to come back to the family, but he refuses. He can't seem to let go of Stella-they grew up together, and their bond is... something else. I heard she's had a rough time lately-she just went through a divorce. My brother's probably worried about her. Dad's afraid he'll try to marry her, so he figures adopting her is the best way to care for her, and at the same time, it'll put a stop to any romantic ideas. Two birds with one stone, really."

Florrie rambled on, oblivious to the way Aurora's expression had darkened.noveldrama

Aurora's mind was spinning. While her own father and brother were still agonizing over how to present Stella's identity to the world, the Watsons were already making plans to adopt her without a second thought.

"But Florrie," Aurora said carefully, "aren't you worried about what people will say

if your family suddenly takes in a new daughter?"

Florrie understood the implication.

"Dad doesn't really care about gossip. Besides, my brother's an illegitimate child-everyone knows it. Dad never tried to hide that. He always said that one lie just leads to a hundred more, and he's too tired for that game. It's not like he cheated or kept a mistress-there's nothing shameful about it."

Antoney was born while Nicolle and his first love were still together, before they broke up for good. Even though Antoney was born out of wedlock, there was no scandal-if anything, Nicolle now saw him as the family's greatest hope, and would rather the whole world knew.

Aurora's gaze sharpened. "Go ahead, Florrie. I just remembered something I need to discuss with my brother. I'll catch up with you later."

This couldn't wait. Her father and brother had to know-if the Watsons adopted Stella, and her real identity ever got out, it would be a disaster for the Williams family. They'd be the laughingstock of society.

Florrie was a little puzzled by Aurora's sudden urgency, but didn't press. "Alright, come find me when you're done."

...

Meanwhile, Mr. Burton led Stella

through the crowded reception, introducing her to influential guests from every corner of the room. Stella could see he was going out of his way to lift her up, and the gesture warmed her heart. She felt a deep gratitude-for the first time, Mr. Burton was treating her as family.