The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1052

“Stop demanding this and that from me—you don't deserve it.”

Israel’s face twisted with rage. He opened his mouth to retort, but Stella cut him off in that cool, dismissive tone of hers.

“Maybe you should take a good look in the mirror. See for yourselves—are you treating me like family, or like an enemy?”

Israel was left speechless, his words dying in his throat.

Coleman and Jonathan looked equally grim, their expressions dark and stormy.

Skyler hurried to smooth things over. “Star, don’t listen to your brothers’ nonsense. They’re just anxious, that’s why they’re saying things they don’t mean. Come on, bring Keen and sit over here. Let’s talk about how to rescue Aurora, and figure out our next steps together.”

Just then, Stella’s phone rang.

Every eye in the room turned to her.

Israel shot her a look of open annoyance.

He said coldly, “Stella, don’t let me find out you’re colluding with the kidnappers. Or else—”

He didn’t get to finish his threat. Stella had already answered the call and switched it to speaker.

A woman’s gentle voice floated into the room.

“Star, it’s Lauretta. I finished looking into what you asked. The people hunting you down…”

Lauretta Chapman paused, then let out a soft sigh.

“They’re from the Williams family—or else, they’re working for your third brother, Coleman.”

Hating Stella was one thing. Actually trying to kill their own sister—that was another matter entirely. If word got out about this, it wouldn’t just be a scandal; they’d be utterly condemned.

At that moment, Jonathan stepped forward.

“Star, this wasn’t Coleman’s fault. I heard you were at the airport and thought you were trying to run. It was a misunderstanding. I’m sorry.”

Joshua’s voice was cool, almost mocking. “A misunderstanding, huh? Someone nearly loses their life because of you, and all you have to say is sorry. Having family really is a pain. You get used as bait, nearly killed by your own blood, and all you get is an apology.”

He turned to Leonard, his tone biting.

“And when your enemy is friends with your family, you’re expected to forgive and forget. With family like this, you never catch a break—every mess lands on your shoulders, and you’re the one left cleaning it up.

Star, you’re lucky Rachel came along when she did, or Haynes would have never been the one at fault for the divorce.”