The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

After Attorney Whitman left, Haynes turned to Stella.

"It's too late tonight. We'll pick up Keene tomorrow. Let me drive you home."

Just as he finished speaking, Neville stepped forward. "No need for the trouble. I'm heading the same way as Star-I'll give her a ride."

Haynes didn't even spare Neville a glance, as if he didn't exist.

He looked at Stella. "Come on. I'll take you."

Neville didn't seem offended. He chuckled softly. "Mr. O'Brien, didn't you arrive here in Star's car? Now that her car's been towed, just how are you planning to drive her home?"

Stella glanced at Haynes. "Attorney Whitman hasn't gone far. If you call him now, you might still catch him."

Then she turned to Neville. "Thank you, Mr. Connolly."noveldrama

Neville smiled. "You and I-there's no need for thanks. Let's go."

As they walked past Haynes, Neville paused as if remembering something. He deliberately added, "Mr. O'Brien, you don't expect me to drive you home too, do you?"

Haynes frowned, about to speak, but Neville cut him off.

"Give you a ride? Yeah, that's not happening. You'll have to find someone else."

With an insufferable little wave, he turned and walked away.

Stella followed without looking back.

...

Once they were in Neville's car, the smile faded from his face.

"Star, you really embarrassed Sellers tonight, playing that surveillance footage in front of everyone. A man like him he won't let that slide. Even if Mr. Burton steps in, Sellers is the sort to play along on the surface and do whatever he wants behind your back. He's never been one to respect authority."

Stella watched the city lights blur past outside the window. "You could tell from the way he spoke to me-he hates me. His brakes failed, and somehow I'm the one to blame. Not only that he tried to run me off, the road. With a man like that, there's no such thing as fetting bygones be bygones. Since I've

already made an enemy of him,

there's no point in holding back. If he

wants a fight, I'll give him one."

A smile played at Neville's lips. He admired her willingness to stand her ground.

He said, "Don't worry. You're in Neo-Vespera.now. Sellers can't do whatever he pleases here. But..." His tone grew serious. "You know how it is an open attacks easy to defend against, but it's the underhånded tricks you have to watch out for. Sellers isn't exactly a man of honor. You need to be careful."

Stella nodded. "I will."

She glanced at the sharp lines of his face, her voice soft. "Thank you, for today."

If Neville hadn't pulled up the surveillance footage in time, neither she nor Attorney Whitman could have convinced anyone just by talking-people would have accused her of setting Sellers up. After all, no one in that room was on her side.

Neville's voice was deep and warm in the darkness.

"Star, why are you always so polite with me?"

Stella replied, "Because apart from saying thank you, I really don't know how else to repay you."

Neville smiled. "You already have. You helped get Marvin Connolly back on his feet. That's more than enough."

Stella laughed. "That was my job. I can't just take Mr. Connolly's money for nothing."

His eyes softened in the dim light, gentle in a way she almost missed.

"Don't think I don't know-you put every dollar I gave you right into Marvin's college fund."