The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

No one knew what was said on the other end of the line, but Skyler's expression changed instantly.

He whipped his head around to glare at Stella, eyes sharp as blades, cold enough to freeze the air.

"Are you live streaming right now?"

The words hit the room like a thunderclap. Every face went pale.

All those recordings, all the evidence that had just been played-had it all gone out live?

No one could forget the shameless things they'd said just moments before. Especially Leonard.

Everyone turned their gaze on Stella, cold and full of hostility.

Abby started to step forward, ready to take the blame, but Stella caught her hand, smoothly taking the phone from her.

She glanced down at the screen, arching her brows in feigned surprise.

"The stream's still on? Oh, sorry about that. Maybe my phone glitched and didn't shut off."

Jonathan's face twisted with anger. He strode forward, voice hard.

"Stella, why did you even start a livestream? Are you trying to ruin our family?"

Joshua stepped in between them, blocking his path. "Mr. Williams, if you have something to say, use your words. What, planning to get physical now?"

There was a hint of laughter in Joshua's tone. "Anyone walking in might think you're about to throw a punch, Mr. Williams. All this fuss over a simple livestream? Weren't you all just so self-righteous a minute ago?”

He swept his gaze over the crowd, unbothered by their dark looks. "Funny how your confidence disappears the second you realize you're on camera. What, do you all suddenly remember how disgraceful you sounded?"

He let out a soft, mocking laugh. "No wonder people blow up when their true colors are shown."

Israel couldn't take it anymore. He jabbed a finger at Joshua, voice shaking with fury. "Say one more word, and you won't make it out of this house."

Joshua's lips curled into a thin, taunting smile. "You're really scary, you know that? Meek as a mouse when it comes to people hurting your sister, but ready to throw down the moment she's involved. Eunny, isn't it, how brave you get in your own backyard?"

He tilted his head, voice dropping to a warning. "Better watch what you say, Israel. The stream is still running. Wouldn't look too good for the golden boy of high society to get exposed as a violent hothead."

He paused deliberately, smile wicked and insufferable.

"By the way, you're still single, aren't you? Careful, or you'll scare everyone off."

Israel looked ready to explode, but Coleman grabbed his arm just in time.

"Calm down, Israel."

The livestream was still on, and every word, every gesture was being broadcast to

the world. If their earlier conversation had really gone out...noveldrama

Coleman's face was grim, but he forced himself to stay composed.

Across the room, Simone was the only one who seemed genuinely pleased.

She hadn't said much at all, so her reputation as the perfect society girl was still intact.

Aurora, though... Simone shot her a sly glance.

After tonight, Aurora's carefully crafted image would be in tatters.

Simone quietly picked up her own phone and searched for Stella's livestream. Since she already followed her, it only took a moment to find the stream still running.

She handed her phone to Leonard, lowering her voice. "Here. This is Stella's channel."

Leonard took the phone and glanced down, just in time to see a real-time comment scroll across the screen:

"Leonard, head of the mighty

Lerman family, talks like a

schoolyard bully. No integrity, just

empty boasts—he's a disgrace to every man out there! How does a

guy like that end up running the family? Did the rest of the Lermans all disappear?"