The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 551

Haynes was just as exasperated with Deanna’s hysterics. “Mom, why don’t you head upstairs for now?” he said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Before Deanna could protest, Callie O’Brien stepped in and gently but firmly guided her mother up the stairs. “Mom, let my brother handle things here. He’s got it under control,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

While Deanna’s judgment might be clouded, Callie was well aware of the stakes. Stella Cameron was Keen O’Brien’s biological mother and had Mr. Burton backing her up. Even if it was just for Keen’s sake, the O’Brien family stood to gain plenty from this situation—assuming her mother didn’t pick another fight with Stella.

Once Deanna’s footsteps faded above, the living room fell into a welcome silence.

Foreman Richards turned his attention to Joshua, who had been so quiet he was almost invisible—yet there was something about him that made him impossible to ignore. “And this is…?”

Stella barely spared Joshua a glance. “Just a friend,” she replied, her mind clearly elsewhere.

Foreman didn’t press the matter, sensing Stella had no interest in elaborating.

The group began discussing the possible motives behind Keen’s abduction when suddenly, Haynes’s phone rang, slicing through the tense quiet.

He glanced at the screen—an unknown number. His eyes darkened slightly as he met Stella’s gaze, then answered, switching to speaker mode.

“Haynes, your son and your first love are with me.” The voice on the line was distorted, mechanical. “If you want them to stay alive, don’t even think about calling the police. Otherwise… I won’t mind killing one of them to teach you a lesson.”

Haynes’s voice was low and steady. “Fine. I won’t call the police.”

Given the skills he and Foreman possessed, he was confident they could handle this without outside help.

“One hundred million each. Cash for the hostages, no tricks. Oh, and…” The kidnapper paused, then continued in an offhand tone, “Have your ex-wife come to make the exchange.”

“Don’t get any ideas. I’m not a patient man.”

Haynes betrayed no emotion. “Understood.”