The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 286

Here's a culturally localized, natural English adaptation suitable for a Western novel:

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"Listen, mate, your friend's wife racked up half a million dollars on my account. Don't forget to settle up. You know me—I never let anyone run a tab.

But, since she's your buddy's wife, I figured I'd do you a favor, right?

Word is, you've lost a fair bit in the market lately. If you can't cough up the money, I'll just ask your dad to cover it.

My staff are waiting on their paychecks, you know."

Jasper's sister—his full-blooded sister—called next.

"Jasper, your friend's wife charged three hundred thousand at my store the other day. She said anything Haynes spends should go on your tab.

Haynes is your friend, and I didn't want to embarrass you, so I let her run up the bill.

It's not a massive amount, and I wouldn't normally bother you, but, well… you know how things are at my company. If I don't get those funds moving soon, we're going under.

I've got three days, Jasper. If I don't get the money, I'll have to ask Dad for help."

Stella had spent two hundred thousand at Jasper's department store.

She'd charged half a million at Bagot's store.

Then three hundred thousand at Leda Wilkinson's—his sister's store.

Bagot was his archrival. If Jasper didn't pay up, Bagot would definitely use this as ammo to stir up trouble with their father.

Leda, on the other hand, was his own sister—never much of a businesswoman, and now her company was on the brink. If his friend's wife ran up a bill there and he didn't pay, he'd be a complete jerk.

Stella had chosen these two on purpose. She knew exactly where Jasper couldn't refuse to pay, so she went on her little shopping spree.

That woman was absolutely ruthless.

Haynes frowned, "You're sure she shopped at The Wilkinson Group's stores and not The O'Brien Group's?"

"I'm sure!" Jasper was practically grinding his teeth to dust. "I've had someone tailing Stella. She's still out there, pretending to be your wife and shopping like there's no tomorrow!"