The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 2087

Logically speaking, after all these years, your skills should have improved, not regressed so drastically."

Whenever Aurora went out with men, she was used to being showered with endless praise and adoration. When had anyone ever spoken to her with such thinly veiled disdain?

Although Joshua's tone was polite, his words felt like a slap in the face. She had always been treated like a prodigy. Her ego couldn't handle the humiliation.

"I have a lot of different hobbies," she murmured defensively. "To be honest, the violin was never my greatest passion. After I injured my hand, I pretty much stopped playing altogether."

That sparked a flicker of interest in him. "So, aside from the violin, what exactly are your passions?"

"I love painting and racing," she said smoothly. "I'm actually hosting an art exhibition soon. If you're interested, you should come."

"Sure," he replied.

Sitting just behind them, Stella watched them chatting so intimately. The sight made her stomach churn. It was utterly unbearable.

She was no longer the meek little deer who would suffer in silence.

A wave of spite washed over her. She pulled out her phone and fired off a text.

"Mr. Gardner, are you free today?"

She had already decided her next move. If he ignored the text, she would step outside and call him. If he ignored the call, she would dial Aurora's number instead.

Up ahead, Joshua felt the vibration in his pocket. He pulled out his phone.

Instead of ignoring it, he quickly typed a reply.

"I already have plans with a friend today."

Stella fired back: "You can't even spare ten minutes?"

Joshua: "My apologies."

Stella: "Mr. Gardner, I am sitting directly behind you. Are you genuinely that busy?"

She watched his broad shoulders stiffen. Slowly, he turned his head and looked right at her.

She scanned the area and spotted his tall, imposing figure standing by a decorative planter outside the entrance.

She walked up to him. "Mr. Gardner. Sorry to interrupt your evening."

He looked down at her, his expression cool. "You're already here. Don't you think apologizing now is a little redundant?"

"..."

He studied her face. "You were so desperate to see me. What exactly is this about?"

Stella frowned slightly. "Even if she has a token and knows the details, that doesn't definitively prove she's the one."

A low chuckle escaped his lips. "If that doesn't prove it, then please tell me, Ms. Cameron, what does?"