The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1279

"If you agree," Leonard said, "I can make the arrangements."

For the first time in a long while, Simone gave Leonard a genuine smile. "Alright. Thank you, brother."

…

A week later, Stella attended Zane Vance's birthday party with Neville Connolly as her date. Joshua accompanied them, but as her bodyguard, he kept a respectful distance, melting into a corner to watch over her from afar.

Stella and Neville went to greet Zane, and the three chatted for a while. Neville, with his handsome features and eloquent speech, quickly won Zane over.

"I was just thinking about finding a suitable match for Star," Zane said, impressed with Stella's choice. "But now I see she already has a boyfriend. No wonder she wasn't interested in a fine young man like Sheffield Chapman. Mr. Connolly, you're certainly worth giving up a whole forest for. Since Star and Sheffield can't be a couple, I hope they can at least be friends. You wouldn't mind that, would you, Mr. Connolly?"

"Of course not," Neville replied with a smile. "More friends mean more connections. I would never stand in the way of Star's friendships."

Neville's response was gracious but firm, a subtle reminder to Zane that while he was open to friendships, he wouldn't tolerate anything more.

Zane clapped him on the shoulder, pleased. "Don't worry," he joked. "Even if someone tried to steal her away, Star wouldn't have it."

As they were talking, a familiar figure approached them.

"Star, Mr. Vance, Mr. Connolly."

Zane laughed heartily and didn't press the matter. He turned to Stella. "Star, let me introduce you to some business partners." Then he gestured to Neville. "Neville, my boy, feel free to mingle. Star will find you when she's done."

"Of course. You two go ahead," Neville said.

It was over two hours later, after successfully closing a deal, that Stella returned to the party. She scanned the room but couldn't find Neville anywhere.

Just then, Joshua appeared behind her. "Neville took a call not long after you left and hasn't been back since."

Stella then searched for Foreman but couldn't find him either. As she wondered where they had gone, a sudden shriek echoed from the guest rooms upstairs.