The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1253

Foreman knelt numbly, his fingers trembling as he picked up the broken pieces.

Stella had never seen him like this before, and a wave of guilt washed over her.

"Foreman, are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

He didn't look up, his expression lost in shadow. After a long moment, he finally managed a hoarse, "I'm fine."

"Foreman, Joshua didn't do it on purpose," Stella tried to explain. "Please don't be angry with him. The music box…"

Before she could finish, Joshua cut in. "Don't worry, Mr. Richards. I'll find a way to have it repaired, or I'll track down that sculptor and commission an identical one."

*Identical?* Foreman scoffed inwardly. This music box was one of a kind. There would never be another one like it.

His gaze drifted to her desk and landed on the preserved rose, the very one he had once thrown to the ground, causing a few petals to fall. It now sat in a place of honor, the most prominent spot in her office.

Stella noticed his line of sight and her eyes flickered. She stepped forward, subtly blocking his view.

"Foreman, it's almost lunchtime. Let me treat you."

He lowered his gaze. "Alright."

After what had just happened, bringing Joshua along would have been completely tone-deaf. She turned to him. "Joshua, you'll have to get lunch on your own. Foreman and I are going out."

Joshua didn't argue. "Okay. Call me if you need anything."

He turned to see Aurora Williams gliding toward him, an elegant smile on her face. "It's been a while. Have you been busy?" She sounded like an old friend, her tone casual and free of any heiress's airs.

Joshua glanced at her. "Very."

"Star's company is doing well, so it's natural to be busy," she said with a knowing smile. "Things should calm down once you get past this initial phase and everything is running smoothly."

"You're not going to ask what I've been busy with?" he asked.

Aurora would never ask such a prying, personal question. But since he'd brought it up, she replied graciously, "Are you at liberty to say?"

"There's nothing to hide," Joshua said, his voice cool. "As I'm sure you're aware, Ms. Williams, ever since Star and I arrived in Solmaris, all sorts of shady characters have been crawling out of the woodwork to cause trouble. I've spent the last while cleaning house. You know what Leonard made clear - nobody messes with you, not even family. Let me make myself just as clear: if anyone dares to hurt Star, blood relative or not, they'll have me to deal with."