The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 441

He’d always been like this—never bothering to lie to her, his frankness bordering on shamelessness.

Stella sat quietly for a few seconds before she finally spoke.

“You can have the studio. But right now, I want you to take down Antoney’s trending posts, find whoever leaked the story, and clear Antoney’s name.”

Haynes paused, then replied, “Fine.”

“And about the songwriting,” Stella continued, “I want to talk to you in person tomorrow.”

“All right.”

After she hung up, Abby looked at Stella with concern.

“Star, do you really mean to negotiate with Haynes?”

Haynes was notorious for being ruthless—anyone who tried to make a deal with him always ended up worse for wear. Stella really had little chance of coming out ahead.

Stella dismissed her worries lightly. “Don’t worry. I won’t let myself get the short end of the stick that easily.”

But Abby, seeing how calm Stella looked, felt a wave of unease rise up inside her.

She knew Stella’s personality—there was no way she would just back down without a fight.

It was almost as if… she was planning something.

Abby’s nerves were fraying. She hated the injustice of it all, but she was tired of fighting.

She knew better than anyone that you can’t afford to offend people with real power.

If it were anyone else trying to buy their studio—anyone but Haynes—she’d probably be happy to say yes.

A clear million-dollar profit, even after renovations and rent? Who wouldn’t take that deal?

But it was Haynes. And he was after the studio for Rachel, his mistress. That was more than enough to make her blood boil.

Abby tried to remind herself that, as a professional manager, she shouldn’t take things so personally.

But she was also Stella’s closest friend.

If she didn’t stand by Stella, who would?

Still, just the two of them—they were no match for Haynes.

They simply didn’t have enough resources or connections. Not even family to fall back on.

Everything Stella had achieved, she’d earned on her own.