The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1126

Stella had sent people to investigate Jake, but no matter how hard they tried, they came up empty-handed.

Deep down, she understood the truth—anyone who could produce five billion dollars at the drop of a hat was operating on a level far beyond her reach.

The reality was, she was never going to find anything useful.

When Foreman heard about her efforts, he rushed to her office, anxious to talk her out of it.

“Star, you can’t trust this guy. He’s probably a scam artist. Or maybe he’s just trying to sabotage your fundraising. He doesn’t want you to succeed.”

Stella had considered that possibility too, but Jake’s words had been so confident, so matter-of-fact, that she just couldn’t believe he was bluffing.

She’d met her fair share of people over the years; she wasn’t some naïve rookie. And Jake? He just didn’t give off the vibe of a conman.

Foreman’s voice broke through her thoughts again.

“Star, you don’t have to worry about the money. Haynie and I—we’ll figure something out for you. I promise, we’ll raise the funds you need within three days.”

Stella gave him a grateful smile. “I can’t thank you both enough for being willing to help me like this. But it’s not a small sum… If anything happens to your company, if your cash flow gets disrupted, you could be in real trouble.”

She looked up at Foreman, her eyes serious. “That’s why, after thinking it over, I’ve decided to sell one percent of my founding shares. I’ll use the money as capital for future investments and as working funds.”

Her voice was calm and gentle, like a quiet stream.

“I can’t keep running around borrowing money every time I need it.”

Foreman’s expression changed instantly. “What? You’re going to sell your founding shares?”

Stella nodded quietly. “I’ve already contacted the shareholders who supported my mother’s side. They’re willing to buy them and have promised that I can buy them back anytime I want.”

These shareholders owed everything to her mother, Nora. Their loyalty to her was absolute.

The door to Stella’s private lounge swung open. A tall, lean figure stepped out, moving with lazy confidence.

He was wearing a loose bathrobe, his broad, pale chest exposed. Droplets of water trickled from his damp hair, skimming down his skin—both restrained and enticing.

Foreman stared in shock as he realized who it was.

“You… What are you doing here?”

If he wasn’t mistaken, Joshua had just stepped out of Stella’s lounge.

Why had he been in there? And why had he been showering?

Foreman’s hands curled into fists, his breath coming faster, a flush creeping up the edge of his eyes.

Seeing the look on Foreman’s face, Stella hurried to explain, “Um… Joshua accidentally spilled scalding coffee on himself earlier. I was worried he’d get burned, so I told him to shower and rinse it off.”