The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 717

Those words were blunt, almost cruel—Joshua hadn’t spared Haynes even a shred of dignity.

Haynes’ face darkened, his expression carved in stone, while Rachel lowered her gaze, hiding a quiet satisfaction. So that’s why Joshua “ran into” them here—clearly, he’d come to stir the pot, to drive a wedge between Stella and Haynes. Trust Joshua to be this sharp; so much more useful than Jasper, who only ever managed to offend everyone in sight.

Haynes pressed his lips into a thin, unforgiving line, as if he wanted to say something but forced himself to stay silent.

Joshua, of course, wasn’t finished. “Honestly, Mr. O’Brien, no wonder Ms. Cameron divorced you. She gets hurt, and you don’t even ask if she’s all right. All you ever do is accuse and criticize. With that kind of cold indifference, I doubt there’s a woman alive—apart from the truly desperate—who would want you.”

Rachel stood quietly off to the side, eyes fixed on the floor, saying nothing. A long time ago, when Joshua found out she had feelings for Haynes, he hadn’t understood it at all. He’d even offered to set her up with someone else. Clearly, he’d never thought much of Haynes.

Haynes stiffened at Joshua’s words, his gaze snapping to Stella. “You’re hurt?”

Stella wore long sleeves today, and her injury was hidden beneath the fabric. Haynes hadn’t noticed at first.

“It’s nothing. Just a scratch,” Stella replied, her voice steady and dismissive.

Joshua interjected, “If I’d arrived even a few minutes later, Ms. Cameron’s hand might have been ruined.”

Haynes’ eyes immediately dropped to Stella’s hands. Only then did he notice the faint traces of injury at her wrist. Without warning, he seized Stella’s arm, pulling up her sleeve to reveal the crusted wound.

Stella was caught off guard. She never expected he’d do something like this in front of Rachel. For a second, she froze, then quickly yanked her hand away and stepped back, putting distance between them.

“Haynes, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”