The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 503

Chapter 502

"Mom?"

The soft, hesitant call snapped Stella back to reality. She turned and saw Keen- dressed like a little gentleman,

every detail immaculate. It had been stsince she'd last seen him.

Once, she'd treasured Keen more than her own life; the slightest hint of trouble would leave her anxious and

fretting for hours. She'd even convinced herself, more than once, that losing him would be unthinkable-

something she simply wouldn't survive.

But reality had proven otherwise. Stella knew now: she must never lose herself for anyone, not even her own

child.

She nodded gently in reply to Keen's greeting, but a faint question lingered in her mind.

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Why had Mr. Burton invited them as well? Was he trying to mend the rift between her and Keen, bringing him—

and, by extension, the whole O'Brien family-along to smooth things over?

Her thoughts were interrupted as the commotion drew the attention of the event manager. A middle-aged man

strode over, his tone sharp: "What's all this noise about? Is something wrong here?"

Jasper pointed at Stella. "Sir, this woman doesn't have an invitation. She slipped into the party. This is Mr.

Burton's birthday celebration, and we can't have unidentified guests ruining it!"

The manager's expression darkened. The Burtons were meticulous about their invitations—each one accounted

for, no exceptions. To prevent unwanted guests, everyone had to show proof at the door. Without it, not even the

Queen herself would have been let in.

So how had this woman gotten past security?

He stepped in front of Stella. "Miss, may | see your invitation, please?"

Stella's brow furrowed slightly. "I'm sorry, I'm here to perform. I'm not a guest, so | don't have an invitation."

Earlier, the venue manager had let her in. She hadn't met this man before-odds were, he was an in-house butler,

brought in by the Burtons specifically for the event.

No sooner had she finished

speaking than a delicate, mocking laugh drifted over. Rachel's eyes sparkled with feigned surprise, her lips

curled into a sly smile. "Ms Cameron, if you don't have an invitation, just admit it. Why bother spinning a story?"

She paused, then added with syrupy concern, "If you like, | could put in a word with Haynie—let's say you came

with us, all right?"

Jasper scoffed. "Rachel, you're too soft! After what she did-pushing you into the lake, nearly killing. you-and

you'd still vouch for her? | say no way. People like her shouldn't be here. Sir, get her out. Now!"

The manager, seeing Stella unable to produce an invitation and noting the group's open hostility, lost all

patience. He signaled to the security guards behind him. "Escort this lady out, please."

Rachel watched, her eyes glinting with schadenfreude. If Stella was thrown out in front of everyone, her

reputation would be in tatters.

By now, more and more guests had turned to watch the scene unfolding.

Stella stood facing the guards, now flanking her on both sides. She addressed the manager again, her voice

steady. "Sir, I'll say it one more time-I'm here to perform."

He shot back, "Then where's your staff badge?"

Stella's frustration mounted. She hadn't expected a simple charity performance to be this much trouble. She

hadn't asked Mr. Burton for an invitation, nor had she brought any kind of staff ID.

Jasper sneered. "Can't produce it, can you? Liar!"