The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 526

“People faking illnesses are a rare breed these days, after all.”

Rachel’s face blanched. She opened her mouth to defend herself, but before she could get a word out, Mr. Burton, with Stella’s support, was already making his exit, a genial smile on his face.

Jasper watched Rachel, bewildered, not quite following what had just happened.

Deanna, on the other hand, looked utterly unbothered, as if she’d expected all of this.

Only Haynes remained silent, his eyes darker than the midnight sky.

…

Mr. Burton simply took Stella for a brief walk around the room before excusing himself to rest in the lounge.

He was getting on in years and had never cared much for socializing. The fact that he’d come all this way to help Stella was already a rare favor.

Inside the lounge, Stella brewed a fresh pot of tea, quietly pouring a cup for Mr. Burton to show her gratitude.

He accepted the cup with a dismissive wave. “No need to thank me. I just can’t stand those who bully the weak and pander to the strong.”

He took a sip of the hot tea and looked at Stella.

“Stella, I’m an old man. There’s a lot I can’t get involved with anymore. This is as much as I can do for you.”

Stella felt her eyes sting with emotion. “I understand, Mr. Burton. Thank you, truly.”

If Mr. Burton had chosen to keep a low profile, he could have dealt with Jasper and Haynes however he pleased. But now that everyone knew who he was, he was bound by his reputation, and there were things he simply couldn’t do.

Stella understood that for all his eccentricities, Mr. Burton was genuinely a kind old man. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have provided Deanna with two years’ worth of medication, or gone through the trouble of sourcing rare ingredients and painstakingly developing a special remedy for Keen.