The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1530

Leonard, however, was unfazed. A half-smile played on his lips. "The Gardners may be the wealthiest family, but they don't run the country. Not even the head of the Gardner family has the authority to make me leave Aetheria. If the head of the Lerman family were to die here, what do you think people would say about this place? Wouldn't the other major families feel their safety isn't guaranteed? No one likes a person who kills indiscriminately. Perhaps the major families might even decide to band together and eliminate the Gardners, this... malignant tumor."

He paused, his lips curling slightly.

"Hmm... or perhaps it would just further solidify the rumor that all Gardners are mad."

Stella's expression changed slightly.

No wonder Leonard had said all those cryptic things yesterday. He already knew Joshua was a Gardner.

Leonard was right. He was still the head of the Lerman family. Unless he did something dangerous, Joshua couldn't just attack him without cause. Otherwise, the Lerman family would put out a global warrant for his arrest, and even the Gardner family wouldn't spare him.

Stella stood up, positioning herself in front of Joshua.

She said coldly, "Compared to the Gardners, Mr. Lerman, you seem more like the madman here. The rumors about your own sanity in our circles are just as prevalent as those about the Gardners. Instead of worrying about others, perhaps you should be more concerned with your own mental state. If you have psychological issues, you should get them treated."

Leonard looked at Stella, who stood protectively in front of Joshua, her expression tense. He pressed his lips together thin.

"So, you already know." He made a show of clapping slowly, his expression laced with mockery. "And you still dare to be with someone so mentally unstable. Stella, your courage is truly commendable."

Leonard didn't know why, but every time he saw Stella, he couldn't resist taunting her.

Perhaps because of Joshua, Stella hated hearing people talk about the Gardners' mental instability.

Stella smiled. "Maybe after dealing with a madman like you, Mr. Lerman, my tolerance has gone up. Anyone else seems perfectly normal by comparison."

"Joshua, let's go somewhere else. We finally have a chance to relax. Let's not waste our time on people like him."

Both Joshua's and Leonard's eyes fell on her hand.

Joshua's smile deepened. He took her hand in his.

"Alright. Let's go have fun somewhere else and not talk to people who don't know when they're not wanted."

With that, he led Stella away, leaving Leonard behind.

Leonard stood frozen in place, his gaze fixed on their retreating figures.