The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1280

"What's going on up there?" Stella asked Joshua.

"Not sure. Want to go check it out?" he suggested. "Maybe Neville and Foreman are up there watching the show."

With Joshua by her side, Stella felt safe enough. She nodded.

When they got upstairs, a crowd had already gathered in the hallway. Through the gaps, Stella could hear a young woman's soft sobs. People were clustered around a doorway, whispering amongst themselves.

"Do you know what happened?"

"I heard it was a drunken mistake. They somehow ended up in bed together."

"Well, well, this party was worth coming to after all. A little bit of drama to spice things up."

"Zane loves playing matchmaker, doesn't he? This works out perfectly for him."

"So, who are they?"

"The woman is supposedly Zane's niece. Not sure about the man."

"Zane's niece? Looks like the guy is going to have to take responsibility, whether he wants to or not."

As Stella listened to the gossip, a familiar voice drifted from behind her.

"Star, there you are. I was looking all over for you."

Stella turned to see Foreman walking towards her. "Foreman, have you seen Neville?"

Foreman glanced around. "No, isn't he with you?"

"No," Stella replied.

Just then, a man's low, familiar voice came from the room. "Mr. Vance, I've explained this countless times. I swear I didn't lay a single finger on your niece."

"I woke up and saw him standing there, half-naked, getting dressed," Shirley Vance sobbed. "If it wasn't him, who else could it be?"

"Miss Vance, what were you doing in this room?" Stella asked.

"I had too much to drink at the party, so I came here to rest," Shirley explained. "But when I woke up, I found… I found…" She broke down in tears again.

Zane stood by, his brows furrowed in a deep frown. "Shirley, are you sure there isn't some mistake?"

"Uncle Zane, you've known me my whole life. Have you ever known me to lie?" Shirley cried harder. "I've never even had a boyfriend. If he didn't do this, are you suggesting I brought some random man in here myself?"

Zane knew she was telling the truth. Shirley had always been a good, obedient girl. If it were any other man, he would have demanded he take responsibility on the spot. But this was Stella's fiancé.

He looked to Stella, waiting for her response.

Stella turned to Shirley. "Miss Vance, why did someone burst through the door just moments after you woke up?"