The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1893

Mr. Burton glared at the cat, let out an exasperated huff, and stormed off.

...

After leaving Mr. Burton's estate, Stella extended an invitation to Neville for dinner.

Neville readily accepted.

The three of them had history, so the meal carried on in relatively smooth, polite conversation.

When they finished eating, Neville kept to his usual tradition, presenting Stella with a gift he'd picked up during a recent business trip abroad.

It was a habit of his, and Stella would always accept it graciously before eventually returning the favor with a gift of her own.

Stella thanked him and insisted on picking up the check. Neville didn't put up a fight.

Just as Stella was getting ready to settle the bill, her phone started ringing.

She glanced at the screen. It was one of her managers, likely calling about something urgent at work.

Excusing herself, she stood up and walked over to a quiet corner of the restaurant to take the call.

The moment Stella was out of earshot, the atmosphere between Neville and Joshua turned instantly freezing.

Joshua's expression remained perfectly unreadable. "Neville."

Neville met his gaze. "Can I help you?"

Joshua's eyes drifted down to the gift box resting on the table.

"I want you to keep your distance from Star from now on. In fact, it's best if you stop asking her out altogether."

Neville arched an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"Because I don't like it," Joshua stated matter-of-factly.

Neville's voice dropped to a low, steady register. "Star and I are just friends. There's nothing going on between us. Of course..."

A half-smile played on Neville's lips. "If Star were actually interested in me, you wouldn't even be in the picture right now. Joshua, just because she chose you doesn't mean you get to dictate who she can and cannot be friends with."

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