Jasper Wilkinson wore a smug grin, while the corners of Rachel Pearce''s lips tugged upward in a barely noticeable smile.


    Still?


    What a clever choice of words.


    Ste Cameron, however, didn''t lose herposure. Her tone remained calm and measured.


    "Haynes O''Brien, shouldn''t you hear both sides of the story before making up your mind?"


    Haynes'' handsome face was cold and unyielding. "Rachel and I had barely left, and you showed up right after. Are you really going to im you weren''t looking for trouble?"


    Ste nced at his icy, aloof features, then at Rachel and Jasper, both radiating challenge.


    She gave a slight, pleasant smile. "All right, since Ms. Pearce wants it so badly, just let her have it."


    Haynes'' expression softened a little. Rachel''s smile grew wider, while Jasper looked about ready to burst with pride.


    Ste handed over the bracelet. "Here you go, Ms. Pearce."


    Rachel didn''t hesitate-she reached out to take it.


    This bracelet was proof of Haynes'' favor, a trophy earned after sparring with Ste.


    Yet, just as Rachel''s fingers closed around it, the bracelet slipped from her grasp and tumbled to the floor.


    Clink!


    A sharp, brittle sound rang out as the bracelet shattered into pieces.


    Everyone froze in shock. Rachel, especially, seemed unable to process what had just happened.


    "Ms. Pearce," Ste broke the stunned silence, her voice tinged with reproach.


    "Weren''t you desperate to have this bracelet? How could you be so careless and drop it?"


    Rachel snapped out of her daze. "Ste... you did that on purpose!"


    Ste raised her brows, feigning confusion. "But it was Ms. Pearce who fumbled it -how is that my fault?"


    "And really, if I say Ms. Pearce was careless, why jump to use me of sabotage?"


    She paused, a wry smile ying at her lips. "Unless... Ms. Pearce has a special kind of experience with this sort of thing?"


    Jasper burst out angrily, "Haynie, just look at her! Ste''s absolutely heartless!


    She deliberately made Rachel drop it, then has the nerve to me Rachel! She''s shameless!"


    Of course, Haynes could see through Ste''s ploy. His voice was icy. "Ste, apologize to Rachel."


    Ste''s reply was breezy and utterly unbothered. "I refuse."


    Haynes was momentarily taken aback.


    Jasper fumed, "Haynie, she broke the merchandise on purpose. We ought to call the police and let her cool off in a cell for a few days! See if she''s still so smug after that!"


    Ste smiled sweetly. "Mr. Wilkinson, you really don''t understand thew, do you? If you damage an item in a store, you only need to pay full price. No jail time necessary."


    Jasper, thinking he''d caught Ste red-handed, jabbed a finger at her, practically shouting,


    "She admits it! Haynie, she just said she broke it on purpose!"


    Ste rubbed her ear, as if Jasper''s yelling had left it ringing. "Mr. Wilkinson, it seems your mind is as slow as your hearing.


    I said if someone damages store property, they pay for it at full price. You, however, insist that means I admitted to smashing it on purpose... Is there really a connection there?"


    Jasper puffed out his chest, looking utterly convinced. "You''re talking about paying, so you must be scared of going to jail! That proves you''re guilty!"


    At this absurd logic, the onlookers exchanged looks of disbelief.


    Is this guy for real?


    Shopping in the same store as someone like that... it was enough to make everyone feel a little embarrassed on his behalf.


    Even Rachel''s expression soured.


    Yet through all of Jasper''s outbursts, Ste remained perfectlyposed.


    "I never said I''d be the one paying. I was simply exining thew to Mr. Wilkinson."