The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Lauretta feigned confusion. "It's been this long, and you still haven't managed to meet up?"

Jonathan's expression darkened. "Ms. Chapman, the reason I'm here today is to discuss your help as a special guest."

Lauretta smiled politely. "Didn't I already give Mr. Williams my answer? I'm busy."noveldrama

She hadn't even bothered to ask for the date or time before turning him down flat, not sparing a shred of courtesy. Jonathan's irritation was clear.

"Did Stella say something to you?"

Lauretta frowned. "What does this have to do with Star?"

Jonathan's tone cooled. "Stella and Aurora don't get along. If Stella hadn't said something, you wouldn't have refused without even asking for details. I'm guessing Stella told you that if Aurora ever reached out, you should turn her down, no matter the reason is that right?"

Lauretta didn't know Jonathan all that well. Everything she'd heard about him came secondhand, from her parents or people around her. Still, when she learned he was the one she'd be marrying, she'd been genuinely pleased.

Jonathan had an impeccable reputation-handsome, steady, ambitious, and free of any unsavory habits. He didn't chase after women or keep secrets on the side; his focus was his career. As the future heir to the Williams family, he was the kind of man every society daughter dreamed of marrying.

Lauretta had always known her marriage would never be her own choice. The moment she accepted her family's support and resources, she'd understood there'd be sacrifices. Compared to risking everything for love and rebelling against her family-giving up her privileged life-she preferred to focus on her own ambitions. At least her achievements would always belong to her.

Love, on the other hand, meant placing her happiness in someone else's hands. If that person stopped loving her, or if their heart changed, she'd be left with nothing.

Lauretta was clear-eyed and pragmatic. She'd never been the type to pyt romance above all else She'd never dated, and she'd

accepted her family's match ove

without complaint, pouring her time and energy into bettering herself.

Her efforts paid off. Because of her own excellence, the man she was set to marry was leagues above what most debutantes could expect.

The Williams family was known for being close-knit and decent, free from drama and scandal-the one family everyone agreed was safe to marry into.

Yet, the last time she'd met Jonathan, Lauretta noticed how little he knew about Stella. Today, he was openly hostile and prejudiced toward his own sister.

Was the family's harmony just a façade?

Lauretta had heard bits and pieces about Stella's troubles with the Williams family. She'd always assumed it was because Skyler Williams favored his illegitimate daughter. Stella couldn't compete with two decades of father-daughter affection, and she didn't have

Aurora's cunning, so in the end,

she'd left the family.

Still, Jonathan and his brothers were Stella's real siblings. Shouldn't they show her some warmth?

It had only taken two meetings for Lauretta to see through Skyler's arrogance and conceit. Her opinion of him had soured. "That's because the person I mentioned came to me before, and I turned her down flat. I don't know how she managed to approach your sister, but before you pass judgment, maybe you should get the facts straight.

The woman who wanted me as a special guest? She's Haynes's ex. You know who Haynes is, don't you? On one side, you have your own sister. On the other, the woman who broke up her marriage.

Jonathan, if it were you, who would you choose?"