The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Haynes clearly hadn't expected the truth to be quite like this. He froze for a moment, then turned to Stella, his face clouded with uncertainty and confusion.

Stella met his gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Mr. O'Brien, you're not going to tell me you think I faked this security footage just to frame Rachel, are you?"

Haynes was silent for several seconds before finally speaking. "I'm sorry. That time... I misunderstood you."

But Stella didn't even bother to acknowledge him. Instead, she turned to Neville. "Mr. Connolly, wouldn't Rachel's actions be considered attempted murder? If we called the police, what would happen?"

Neville chuckled lightly. "She'd be looking at a minimum of three years."

Stella arched an eyebrow. "But Ms. Pearce does seem to lead a charmed life. Not only does she have a terminal illness, she's also been diagnosed with depression. I doubt any prison could hold her for long."

Neville offered a suggestion with a shrug. “With that kind of instability and violent behavior, she'd be a danger to the public if released. Better to have her committed to a psychiatric hospital."

He glanced at Haynes. "Wouldn't you agree, Mr. O'Brien?"

Haynes's eyes darkened as he looked at Stella. "I'll make things right with you regarding Rachel. How do you want to proceed?"

The moment he said that, Stella understood-even if this changed how he saw Rachel, he hadn't given up on her. He still intended to clean up her mess.

Stella regarded Haynes with a half-smile. "Tell me, Mr. O'Brien, are you still planning to steal my special guest?"

He fell silent for a moment. "No one's taking your guest from you. Not anymore."

Stella heard the real message in his words: he was done pulling strings for Rachel.

She was about to say more when Haynes's phone rang. He held up a hand in apology and answered. The call was brief; as soon as he hung up, he turned to Stella.

"My lawyer's here."

From the moment Stella had

decided to confront Sellers, Haynes knew things were about to get complicated. If Sellers were

Mal.ne

someone who could be dealt with so easily, he never would have clawed his way to the top of the sprawling Burton family. And on top of that, Sellers was notorious for being ruthless and vindictive.

Stella had made a powerful enemy-one who didn't forgive or forget.

She frowned, just about to refuse his help, but Haynes seemed to know exactly what she was thinking.

"Don't be so quick to say no. Without a lawyer today, you'll be taken away for sure."

He let his gaze drift-pointedly, but almost casually toward Neville.

"If you wait for your people to arrive, it'll already be too late."noveldrama

He looked at Stella. "You could easily end up being intercepted on your

way to questioning. Sellers has

people everywhere. He's not as

simple as you think. If they take you

in, getting out won't be so easy."

Stella's brow furrowed. Sherman might not have the clout for that kind of maneuvering-but Sellers definitely did. And she didn't for a second doubt Haynes's warning.

Just then, there was another knock at the door.

Haynes's lawyer strode in, followed by several uniformed police officers. They

were quick—almost too quick.

The officers approached Stella,

showed their badges, and addressed

her formally. "Ms. Cameron, we've

received a report accusing you of attempted murder. Please come with us to answer some questions."

Haynes's lawyer, apparently already briefed, stepped forward with a calm, reassuring smile. “Officers, I'm Ms. Cameron's attorney. I'll be representing her in all matters concerning this case."