Jasper and Rachel turned their heads, both freezing in surprise when they saw Ste standing beside them-neither had noticed her approach.


    Ste ignored them, turning instead to the sales associate in front of her. "May I try this on?"


    The saleswoman''s eyes brightened, and she replied eagerly, "Of course, ma''am!"


    These days, wealth was worn quietly. People no longer judged by appearances alone.


    Ste slipped the jade bracelet onto her wrist, examining it with slow, deliberate


    care.


    Jasper, shaken from his shock, quickly recovered andunched into his usual sneer.


    "Ste, this isn''t the kind of ce someone like you can afford. Trying it on? Aren''t you worried your poverty might rub off on the bracelet? Take it off, now-Rachel''s the one who wants this piece!"


    Ste arched a brow. "Didn''t Ms. Pearce just say it was too expensive and she couldn''t afford it? That she didn''t want it anymore?"


    Jasper shot back with a bitingugh. "Please. If we can''t afford it, you—a gold- digger who can''t hold a job and lives off men-think you can? Don''t make meugh."


    He turned to the saleswoman, gesturing impatiently. "Hey, what are you waiting for? Make her take it off!"


    The saleswoman looked at him calmly. "Sir, are you nning to purchase this bracelet?"


    Jasper''s breath caught in his throat.


    He wanted to say yes. He really did.


    But...the truth was, it was far too expensive.


    His recent stock market losses had left his bank ount painfully thin.


    Hard reality forced Jasper to exercise some rare self-restraint.


    "Ste, you leech. Spending Haynie''s money on something this extravagant! You have no shame-if shamelessness were an Olympic sport, you''d take home the gold."


    Jasper made up his mind: if he couldn''t have it, he''d make damn sure Ste couldn''t either.


    He raised his voice so everyone could hear. "Ladies and gentlemen, take a good look! Here''s a woman who hasn''t worked in years and survives by spending men''s money!"


    "Remember this face, everyone don''t let yourselves be fooled by a shameless gold-digger like her!"


    In an instant, every employee and customer in the store turned to stare.


    Rachel tugged at Jasper''s arm, feigning concern. "Jasper, if Ms. Cameron likes it so much, why not let her have it?"


    "Let her have it?" Jasper shot Ste a scornful look, disgust written all over his face. "If she didn''t have a man, do you really think she could afford it?"


    Ste let out a soft, amusedugh. "It''s mine to begin with. There''s no need for anyone''s permission... Guess I just married well."


    She met Jasper''s gaze, her voice cool but unbothered. "Five hundred thousand


    for a bracelet? I could buy it ten times over. Even if it were five million, I wouldn''t blink."


    "And you, Mr. Wilkinson? Living off less than a housewife. Honestly, it''s embarrassing."


    At that, the crowd''s mood shifted. So she was just spending her husband''s money after all-not a homewrecker as they''d assumed.


    Rachel and Jasper''s faces turned an ugly shade of red, their humiliation in to


    see.


    Jasper jabbed an using finger at Ste and spat, “Just wait, Ste. I''m going straight to Haynie with this. He''ll know exactly what you''re up to today."


    Ste just smiled. "Mr. Wilkinson, you''re a grown man in yourte twenties. Why act like a child on the yground, running to tattle the moment things don''t go your way? Can''t you handle your own problems?"


    "If you''re so desperate toin, go ahead. I''ll wait right here."


    She handed her bank card to the saleswoman. "I''ll take it. Please ring it up."


    The saleswoman received the card with a respectful nod and hurried off toplete the transaction.


    Watching Ste about to walk away with the bracelet, Jasper lost hisposure.


    He shouted, frantic, "This jewelry store belongs to The O''Brien Group! Look closely-standing right next to me is Haynie''s one true love, the woman he adores! She''s been all over the news, you know her face!"