The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1051

Jonathan looked slightly uneasy. “No, of course not. You’re family to us, Stella. We’d never think of trading you for anything.”

He hesitated, then added, “We just wanted to draw them out—and once they show themselves, we’ll rescue Aurora and Queenie.”

Stella nodded, understanding instantly. “So, you’re planning to use me as bait?”

Jonathan replied, “Star, we’ll make sure you’re safe. I promise.”

Before Stella could answer, Leonard suddenly interjected, his tone cold as steel. “If Aurora hadn’t taken the fall for you, she never would’ve been kidnapped. Using you as bait is the least you owe her. You better pray nothing happens to Aurora. If she gets hurt in any way, you’ll be the first one I come after.”

Only then did Stella turn her gaze to Leonard. Her voice dropped, icy and sharp. “And who do you think you are, barging in here and making threats? Get out. You’re not welcome.”

Leonard hadn’t expected Stella to talk back to him so bluntly. For a moment, he looked genuinely stunned.

Even now, with everything going on, Stella still had the nerve to act so defiant. Israel’s anger flared. “Stella, this isn’t your playground! You’re not the head of the Williams family—what you say doesn’t count here.”

Stella’s cold stare pinned Israel in place. “So, because you’re in charge, you think you can just let the man who kidnapped me and shattered my hand waltz back in here like nothing happened? You treat him like an old friend and expect me to play nice, is that it?”

Her gaze swept over the Williams family, her words dripping with sarcasm. “Is that your version of unconditional love—being so forgiving to anyone who hurts your family? Or…”

Leonard’s eyes narrowed, burning with hatred. “Your own family’s been kidnapped and you’re still cracking jokes. Admit it, you want Aurora dead.”

Stella gave a light, dismissive laugh. “And why would I care whether she lives or dies?”

Israel was speechless for a second before exploding. “So that’s it, huh? You’re finally showing your true colors. I knew it—you set Aurora up, you wanted her dead from the start—”

Before he could finish, Stella cut him off, her voice flat and cold. “You really think I should care about someone who’s happy to befriend the man who kidnapped me? She never cared whether I lived or died. Why should I care about her? And as for the rest of you…”

She swept her eyes over the room, her expression openly mocking.