The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1521

The hotel's exterior glittered like a palace. Stella had a keen eye for quality and could tell at a glance that the golden architecture and ornaments were all crafted from solid gold.

Before arriving, Stella had done some brief research. This was, without a doubt, the most luxurious hotel in the world. Rumor had it that a staggering thirty tons of gold had been used in its construction.

Stella couldn't help but remark, "The Gardners really live up to their reputation as the wealthiest family in the world. Their financial power is astonishing. I thought the Williams family was rich, but this just proves there's always a bigger fish in the sea."

Joshua glanced over casually. "This place is just built to be flashy, to attract guests. The Gardner family's private island... that's where the real treasures are."

Stella looked at him, surprised. "Joshua, you seem to know a lot about the Gardners." She paused, a sudden thought striking her. His last name was also Gardner. Could it be... was he connected to the Gardner family? Or was he one of them? It seemed too much of a coincidence.

Joshua noticed the change in her expression. "Star, is there something you want to ask?"

This time, Stella nodded honestly. "Your last name is Gardner, and you know so much about the family. Are you... one of them?"

Joshua nodded. "Yes, I am."

Stella hadn't expected him to admit it so readily. She was surprised at first, but she quickly accepted it. She had long suspected that with his skills, knowledge, and demeanor, he was no ordinary person.

Stella said, "No wonder Grandma Connolly mentioned that all the Gardners are blessed with good looks and exceptional intelligence."

Joshua's dark eyes deepened. "She talked to you about the Gardners?"

Since Joshua was one of them, Stella saw no reason to hide it. "Grandma Connolly told me that Neville Connolly's sister was once in love with a man from the Gardner family."

Stella thought for a few seconds before replying, "Miss Connolly died about three years ago. According to Grandma Connolly, not long before she passed, the Gardner man she was with died by suicide."

Joshua lowered his gaze, lost in thought for a moment. "Three years ago, a core member of the Gardner family did die by suicide. His name was Quincy Gardner, and he had a three-year-old child. Quincy left a will stipulating that the child was to be raised by the mother's family and that no one was to interfere. So the child was taken away by her family, and we never heard from them again."

Stella asked, "This Quincy... he was a core member? Do you know why he killed himself?"

"Not really," Joshua said. "If you're curious, I can ask around for you."

Stella assumed this was a secret only core members would know. Although Joshua was a Gardner, he probably wasn't part of the inner circle. Otherwise, he wouldn't have the time to be working for her. Hearing his offer, she quickly said, "No, it's okay. I was just asking casually."

But then Joshua's tone shifted. "However..."