The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1360

After Joshua left, Stella began opening her other gifts.

Keen, Marvin, and Abby had all given her handmade items. Lauretta and Candida's gifts were carefully selected pieces of jewelry, far from the common styles found in stores. The three remaining men had given more practical gifts. Antoney and Neville had presented her with lucrative partnership opportunities.

When Stella opened Haynes's gift, she couldn't help but smile. It was a check for a billion dollars. He was still hung up on that past debt.

After a moment of contemplation, she decided to accept it.

The past was in the past. If it was possible to be on peaceful terms with Haynes, there was no reason not to be.

After sorting through all the gifts, Stella noticed an unfamiliar box at the very bottom of the bag. She paused. She was certain she hadn't seen this gift at the party.

A sense of premonition washed over her, but she opened it anyway. Inside was a beautiful crystal music box, with a figurine of herself carved in lifelike detail.

Stella stared at the music box, a complex mix of emotions stirring within her.

Abby had helped her pack up the gifts, so she must have been the one to put it in the bag.

As if on cue, her phone rang. It was Abby.

"Star, have you finished opening your presents? I'm the one who put Foreman's gift in there. I'm so sorry. He contacted me before your birthday and said he couldn't make it, so he asked me to bring his gift for him. At the time, I had no idea he was the one who hurt Joshua like that… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it without asking."

It didn't matter. She had already packed away all of Foreman's other gifts in storage. This one would join them.

Changing the subject, Stella asked, "How have things been on your end with Harland Lerman?"

"Not much has changed," Abby replied. "I did hear from Harland that Leonard has been completely out of sight lately. No one knows what he's up to."

The mention of Leonard reminded Stella of the materials for 'Dawnlight.' Now that Joshua was out of the hospital, she could ask him to accompany her to retrieve them.

Just as she ended the call with Abby, a knock sounded at her door.