The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 280

Jasper turned to the sales associate with a cold smirk. “If you’re tired of your job, by all means, sell this bracelet to that woman!”

He leaned in, voice lowering to a threat. “But don’t think you’ll just lose your job here at Neo-Vespera. If you cross us, you’ll find yourself blacklisted from every luxury retailer in Novaris.”

The sales associate froze, glancing nervously at Rachel. Her face drained of color as realization dawned—she recognized Rachel, the woman once rumored to be entangled with Haynes. Ordinary people like her couldn’t possibly go head-to-head with someone backed by the O’Brien Group.

Rachel put on a show of concern. “Jasper, please, let’s not make a scene.”

“Rachel, this is exactly why women like Stella walk all over you,” Jasper shot back. “You’re too soft-hearted, and it’s high time someone put her in her place. Today, I’ll do it for you!”

Stella’s gaze was cool and unfazed. “You? Please. You’re not nearly qualified to teach me any lessons.”

She smiled, then raised her voice so everyone in the boutique could hear. “So, what you’re telling us is—if Haynes’s sweetheart wants something, it doesn’t matter who saw it first or who bought it first. She gets it, no questions asked?”

“Most stores treat their customers like royalty, but here, it seems we’re supposed to be servants. Is this how the O’Brien Group does business?”

She swept her eyes around the room, making sure all the well-heeled patrons and staff heard her clearly. “To everyone shopping here today, better be careful. The O’Brien Group wields so much power, if you ever cross them, they’ll make sure you can’t shop anywhere in Novaris again!”

Her words were perfectly timed, immediately painting Rachel and Jasper as the villains—and putting them at odds with everyone else in the store.

The clientele here weren’t your everyday shoppers; they were the city’s elite, and now their faces were dark with displeasure.

“The O’Brien Group’s been expanding fast the last few years, sure,” someone muttered. “But they’re not the only game in town. If this is their attitude, what happens if they become a monopoly? Will we have to grovel just to buy a bracelet?”