The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1057

The man arched an eyebrow, his tone laced with mock surprise. “What a coincidence, huh?”

Simone, still refusing to believe it, shot back, “This has to be another one of your schemes to turn us against each other!”

Seeing her skepticism, the man signaled to his assistant. “She doesn’t believe me? Fine. Stream my conversation with his guy for her to see.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that, the man left Simone behind and headed downstairs, leaving his assistant to set up the live stream as instructed.

After a few moments of fussing with the equipment, the screen flickered to life. Simone watched as the feed revealed the man sitting across from someone—Leonard’s most trusted assistant. There was no mistaking him.

A cold weight settled in Simone’s chest.

Leonard hadn’t come. He’d gone to rescue Aurora.

Suddenly, the strange voice of the masked man echoed through her phone. “From what I know, Miss Lerman was the first to be kidnapped. And yet, Leonard didn’t come for his own sister; he chose to save Aurora first?”

Simone’s fists clenched involuntarily.

Leonard’s assistant spoke up, “Whatever you want, just say it.”

The masked man replied, “There’s only one thing I want. I want to see Leonard in person. Here’s the deal—call him right now. Tell him that if he doesn’t come today, I’ll make sure his precious little sister gets some… male company.”

The assistant’s expression darkened. This was way above his pay grade. He called Leonard at once.

The call connected, and Leonard’s cold, unmistakable voice rang out—clear enough for Simone to hear every word.

“Hah, that’s the best he can do? Fine. Let him go ahead with it.”

Simone’s face drained of color.

She barely registered the rest of the conversation. Leonard’s icy words kept echoing in her mind.

Bringing Simone here, he couldn’t just let her go unscathed. He hadn’t tortured her—at least not physically—but he’d arranged for a group of men to be present, just as he’d threatened. That way, all her resentment would be aimed at the person who abandoned her. After all, she could have avoided all this, if only he’d come.

Foreman paused, then continued, “Leonard and his people already rescued Aurora, didn’t they? Send someone to guide Simone to the hospital. I want her to see with her own eyes: while she was suffering, Aurora was being fussed over like a princess. Leonard used Abby to threaten Star, right? Now I’ll let him taste what it’s like to be betrayed by his own sister.”

…

Simone drifted into the hospital like a ghost.

Earlier, she’d overheard people gossiping about Aurora’s kidnapping. A group of women chatted nearby, their voices tinged with envy and admiration.

“After everything that happened, Aurora must be over the moon. I bet she and Leonard will end up together!”

“Oh, absolutely! I heard Leonard even got hurt rescuing her. That’s what I call a real man!”

“He’s so devoted—Leonard’s the gold standard for men these days, honestly.”