The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1322

Initially, Skyler and Jonathan had thought a pretty boy might be a good distraction for Stella. But they soon realized that with Joshua by her side, not only was she not distracted, but her relationship with them was deteriorating. They were certain Joshua was poisoning her against them. He had gotten into several fights on Stella's behalf, and they had long since grown tired of him, just waiting for an excuse to get rid of him.

This was the perfect opportunity.

Jake frowned at their words and stepped forward to object, but Harold caught his arm and gave a slight shake of his head.

"Don't you find Gibson's story contradictory?" Stella asked. "If he wanted to kidnap Keen, he would have done it discreetly. He claims Joshua pledged allegiance to him, so how would Joshua have known Gibson was coming to Solmaris in the first place?"

Skyler and Jonathan paused, taken aback.

Israel, however, reacted quickly. "Because they were in contact before Gibson even arrived. Joshua offered to help with the kidnapping, and that's why Gibson came. How else could he have pulled it off so successfully?"

It was, annoyingly, a plausible explanation.

Stella glanced at Israel and suddenly smiled. "Actually, Gibson was right. I did order Joshua to kill Stuart. The man broke into my room and tried to assault me, then had the audacity to claim I seduced him. Someone like that is just a waste of resources."

Jonathan frowned. "Star, even if you want to take the fall for him, you need a better excuse. We know you're not the type to kill indiscriminately."

Stella looked at him and smiled faintly.

"If you don't believe me," she said, her voice dropping to a cool whisper, "why don't you try and touch Joshua and see what happens?"

A chill went through the room. At that moment, no one doubted the sincerity of her threat. Even Haynes stared at her in disbelief.

Israel pointed a trembling finger at her. "Stella, are you insane? You'd kill your own family for a complete stranger?!"