The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1086

Stella nodded. “Yeah, I have an important contract to sign tonight.”

Joshua’s expression was unreadable. “Is that so? I thought now that you have Aicken, you wouldn’t need me anymore.”

His words hung in the air, oddly cold.

Stella replied, “Why would you say that? You and Aicken are completely different.”

He fixed her with a dark, searching look. “We both work for you. How are we any different?”

Stella hesitated, thrown off by the question—she’d honestly never thought about it that way.

For a moment, she was at a loss for words.

Just then, someone knocked softly on the office door.

Aicken’s voice drifted in from the hallway.

“Ms. Cameron, there’s an urgent file that needs your attention.”

Stella answered, “Wait for me in my office, I’ll be there in a sec.”

“Understood.” She heard his footsteps retreat.

Once Aicken was gone, Stella turned back to Joshua. “Joshua, don’t overthink this. You saved my life. You’re the person I trust most. No matter what, Aicken will never be more important than you.”

Joshua’s face didn’t flicker. “Foreman saved you too. So, he’s important as well?”

Stella found Joshua’s mood today unusually strange.

But she was in a hurry—she needed to check those documents and get ready for the contract signing tonight. She said, “Joshua, both you and Foreman have helped me so much. You’re both important friends to me. That’s what matters.”

She started toward the door. “I have to go for now. I’ll call you before I leave.”

She didn’t wait for a reply, just hurried away.

Joshua watched her go, his eyes growing colder and more distant.

Lately, Stella had been so busy. They hardly saw each other anymore. Whenever they did talk, Aicken always seemed to show up with work for her. Situations like today had happened more times than he could count.

He looked to be in his early forties, wore rimless glasses, and carried himself with authority. He was the man Stella would be negotiating with tonight.

Stella walked over and politely extended her hand.

“Good evening, Mr. Pearce. I’m Stella.”

He shook her hand, but as he let go, Stella felt his fingers brush the back of her hand in a way that made her skin crawl.

Her gaze chilled, but she forced herself to let it slide.

Shawn gestured for her to sit beside him. “I’ve heard Aurora is the most beautiful woman in our industry, but I have to say, Ms. Cameron, you’re just as stunning—and every bit as graceful. You certainly give Aurora a run for her money.”

Stella met his compliment with a calm, almost indifferent smile.

“Mr. Pearce, are there any details in the contract you’d like to discuss further?”

But Shawn’s eyes stayed fixed on her, his attention unwavering.