The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

With so many eyes on her, Stella didn't hesitate. Smiling, she accepted the prize and thanked Joshua warmly.

Keen's admiration for Joshua only deepened. In his eyes, Joshua was just as impressive as his own dad.

Just then, the crowd parted as if by instinct, making way for Aurora and Simone.

From the moment she spotted Joshua, Simone's gaze had been fixed on him. She and Aurora had become close friends because they shared similar values- they both admired strength, though in different forms. Aurora was drawn to power and influence, while Simone admired personal excellence. It seemed she hadn't misjudged Joshua after all.

"Joshua," Simone greeted him with a bright smile, "fancy seeing you here."

Joshua replied with polite formality, "Hello, Miss Lerman."

Simone's eyes lingered on his face. "That was quite a show back there."noveldrama

"Thank you," Joshua replied.

Aurora turned to Stella and Keen. "Ms. Cameron, Keen."

Stella nodded politely, while Keen hurried over, his face lighting up with surprise and delight.

"Miss Aurora! You're here too?"

Aurora glanced at the model car Keen was holding, her smile warm. "How's your target practice going, Keen?"

Keen shuffled his feet, a bit sheepish. "Not very well. Mr. Joshua's only practiced a few times, and he's already way better than me. I must be really slow."

Aurora's gaze flickered briefly over Joshua, then quickly moved away. She was about to say something when, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure in the crowd. She paused in surprise. "Mr. O'Brien?"

She'd assumed that only Stella and Joshua had brought Keen here today. She hadn't expected Haynes to be present as well.

Haynes looked less than pleased. His face was set in a stony expression as he silently accepted a bow and some arrows from one of the staff.

Keen's eyes went wide. "Dad, are you going for a prize too?"

Haynes just nodded, glanced at Joshua, then drew the bow with practiced ease.

Aurora noticed immediately-his stance was flawless, textbook perfect.

With a sharp whoosh, the arrow shot

Marthe air and found its a small animal target el.n

d erupted in fresh cheers.

"Another sharpshooter! First shot and he hits the target-amazing!"

"This archery contest was a great idea. It's attracting some real talent."

"I wonder which one of them is better."

As people whispered, Haynes calmly loosed his last two arrows-both perfect hits.

Since Joshua had already taken the grand prize, Haynes won two second prizes and a third.

Keen stared in awe. "Dad, you can shoot too? And you're so good at it?"

Haynes handed one of the second-place prizes to Keen. "There's a lot you don't know about your old man."

Keen's eyes sparkled even brighter. Nothing inspires a boy more than discovering just how amazing his father is.

Haynes handed the other two prizes to Stella. "These are for you."

With Haynes' arrival, the people who'd mistaken Joshua for Keen's father suddenly understood.

"So he's the real dad? No

You

they look so much a tell they're father and net

just at a glance."