The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 276

Here’s a culturally localized, natural English adaptation for a Western novel audience, following your guidelines:

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This was the back room—out of view from the security cameras—so Rachel could say whatever she wanted without consequence.

Just then, Mr. Burton, having finished with a patient, walked over to join them.

He overheard Rachel’s words and replied coolly, “Oh, so you grabbed the wrong medication, and somehow that’s my fault?”

Stella cut in, her tone sharp. “If you weren’t sure about the medicine, or if you thought something was off, why didn’t you just ask? Did any of us sew your lips shut?”

A cold smile flickered in Stella’s eyes.

Rachel lowered her head, tears shimmering. “It was my carelessness. I’m sorry.”

“Ms. Pearce, have you ever considered what your carelessness might mean—not just for the patient, but for the entire clinic?” Stella’s voice was like a scalpel, her gaze unflinching. “That’s someone’s life at stake. If that patient had taken the wrong medicine and something happened, Mr. Burton would be the one held responsible!”

By the end, Stella’s voice rose, her eyes flashing with real anger.

She could tolerate Rachel playing the victim, peddling her sob stories in front of Haynes, trying to win sympathy. But she absolutely refused to let Rachel’s jealousy risk someone’s life just to get ahead.

Rachel instinctively looked to Haynes, whose dark eyes watched her intently, making her heart pound with sudden panic.

“I… I swear I didn’t mean to…” Rachel stammered, then abruptly dropped to her knees, bowing her head until it struck the floor with a thud.

“Ms. Cameron, I know—no matter the reason, a mistake is a mistake. I’m willing to apologize, and accept whatever punishment you see fit, until you can forgive me.”

She bowed so hard that after just a few times, blood beaded on her forehead.

Haynes’s eyes widened. He strode forward and grabbed her arm to stop her. “Rachel, what are you doing? Get up, now!”