The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 830

So what if Stella is more famous than her now? At the end of the day, she’s still stuck in that shabby little apartment.

If Stella wanted to buy a place like this ocean-view villa, who knows how many years she’d have to save?

But for Rachel, a few well-timed tears were all it took to get whatever she wanted.

Rachel had just tapped on the trending topics when her phone lit up again.

She glanced at the caller ID—Haynes. Her heart leapt, and her eyes sparkled with surprise.

How long had it been since Haynes last called her?

She answered immediately, her voice soft and eager. “Haynie...”

She didn’t even finish before his voice cut through, low and cold.

“Rachel, how long did you think you could keep lying to me?”

Rachel froze. “Haynie, what are you talking about? I don’t understand—”

She had lied to Haynes so many times that, for a moment, she couldn’t even tell which secret he’d uncovered.

His voice was colder still, laced with unmistakable disgust.

“Don’t play dumb. The whole internet is talking about how you’ve been faking your illness.

Because of what we once had—and because you saved Jasper—I’ve always done everything I could to fulfill your wishes.

But all this time, you’ve been lying to me.

Did you really think I’d enjoy being made a fool of?”

Haynes was never one for emotional outbursts, but now his anger simmered just beneath the surface, so intense it made Rachel’s blood run cold.

She scrambled to explain, “Haynie, there must be some mistake! You know Ms. Cameron has always misunderstood me, that’s probably why—”

“Stella really thinks she can take me on? So what if she’s having Haynie’s baby? The moment I faint, he drops everything—even a sick Keen—and rushes me to the hospital.”

“When you go out there, make sure you exaggerate my condition. Tell Haynie I can’t handle any stress or it’ll get worse.”

“Relax. As long as you do your part, there’ll be a generous reward.”

The video cut to an audio recording—Rachel on the phone with the kidnappers.

“When Stella comes to swap Keen, take her out. Then use me as leverage against Haynes. He won’t dare try anything, and you’ll get away clean.

Once it’s done, you’ll get the extra three million wired to your account.”

Then, footage played of her intentionally ramming Stella’s car. The video ended with Rachel’s twisted smile and a cold, venomous whisper.

“Stella, go to hell.”