The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 436

Abby had dealt with lecherous creeps before, but nothing like this—it was practically daylight assault, no different from a mugging on the street.

Stella leaned in to comfort her. “It’s okay, Abby. It’s over now.”

Neville glanced at Mr. Hunter with a sardonic smile. “Mr. Hunter, what’s this? You made the poor girl cry?”

Mr. Hunter realized he’d crossed a line he couldn’t come back from.

Without a word, he dropped to his knees, slapping himself across the face again and again.

“Mr. Connolly, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have done it—I swear, I’ll never do it again!”

He didn’t hold back. Each slap landed hard, and within moments, his cheeks were swollen and red.

Desperate to prove his remorse, Mr. Hunter seized a wine bottle from the coffee table and smashed it against his own head, “thud, thud,” splintering glass everywhere.

No one moved to stop him—shards rained across the private room, but the only sound was the bottle shattering.

Abby was stunned by the spectacle, frozen in place.

It wasn’t until Mr. Hunter knocked himself out cold that Neville finally looked away. He turned to Stella. “We’ve got Abby. Ready to go?”

Stella nodded quietly.

—

Outside the club, Stella glanced at the man beside her and said softly, “Thank you, Mr. Connolly. I mean it—thank you.”

Neville smiled. “No need for thanks between us, Stella.”

She knew all too well—if Neville hadn’t stepped in, she never could have found Abby so unprepared.

Neville checked his watch. “Come on, let’s get you to the hospital first.”

Abby, knowing Stella had a high fever but still came running to help, felt even more guilty.

“Star, I’m so sorry. I acted without thinking.”

Stella gave her a small, reassuring smile. “You did nothing wrong. Why apologize? You just wanted to protect yourself. Besides...”

A cool, glassy light flickered in Stella’s eyes.