The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1685

Abby quickly looked away and took out her phone.

Stella had told her to leave; perhaps she was meant to call for help.

With that in mind, Abby dialed Joshua's number.

He answered quickly, sounding like he was in a good mood.

"Abby. Does Star need my help with something?"

Most of Abby's calls to Joshua were related to Stella.

Abby glanced back into the restaurant, where Leonard had now reached Stella.

She lowered her voice. "Joshua, where are you right now?"

"Near The Williams Group," Joshua replied. "I was about to head over to see Star. By the way, have you two eaten yet?"

"We just finished." Abby hesitated for a moment. "Joshua, Leonard just showed up to see Star. He looked pretty scary…"

The other end of the line went silent.

Then, a man's icy voice came through.

"Where are you now?"

After Abby gave him the location, Joshua hung up.

Abby stared at the disconnected call, a nervous twitch starting in her eyelid.

Even over the phone, she could tell Joshua was furious.

Had she said too much again?

-

Inside the restaurant, Stella looked at the man standing before her with a cold expression.

"Can I help you, Mr. Lerman?"

Leonard didn't miss the flash of disgust in her eyes.

A tightness formed in his chest, and he found it hard to breathe.

He stared intently into her eyes. "Why?"

He grabbed her wrist, his voice low and raspy.

"Summer, I'm sorry…"

Stella yanked her hand away, cutting him off. "We're on opposite sides, that's all. You have nothing to apologize to me for."

Her eyes, once open books, were now vast, frigid oceans that revealed nothing. Her emotions were no longer on display, and at that moment, Leonard couldn't tell what she was thinking at all.

Leonard's dark eyes bore into her. "Then what about Joshua? Why did you take him back?"

A mocking smile touched Stella's lips. "You're not worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as him."

Without another word, Stella turned to leave again.

Leonard was about to go after her, but another hand reached out first, pulling Stella into an embrace.

At the same time, a cool, crisp voice rang out.

"Leonard, harassing my girlfriend in a public place like this is a bit pathetic, don't you think?"

Joshua had appeared behind Stella at some point. A faint smile played on his lips, but his dark eyes were as deep and shadowy as an abyss. He radiated a lethal intensity, his eyes darkening with a raw, murderous edge.