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


    "Listen, mate, your friend''s wife racked up half a million dors on my ount. 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 markettely. 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 mypany. 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."


    Ste 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 herpany was on the brink. If his friend''s wife ran up a bill there and he didn''t pay, he''d be aplete jerk.


    Ste 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 Ste. She''s still out there, pretending to be your wife and shopping like there''s no tomorrow!"


    A few days ago, Jasper had actually tried to stop Ste from entering his stores- sent people to bar her froming in.


    Ste called the police, iming they were holding her against her will.


    Left with no choice, Jasper had to tell all his stores: no more running tabs for anyone.


    But Ste just moved on-she stopped shopping at Jasper''s stores and went straight to Bagot''s.


    Bagot never turned her away. As long as Ste wanted to buy, he was happy to let her run up a tab.


    If anyone asked, he''d say he couldn''t refuse his old friend.


    Jasper had even gone to warn Bagot himself, told him to stop letting Ste charge anything.


    But Bagot always had excuses: "Come on, mate, Haynes is your best pal-he''s pulled yourpany back from the edge of bankruptcy more than once. His wife wants to shop here? I should be rolling out the red carpet.


    Haynes has got money to burn-he spends a fortune on that girlfriend of his, Rachel, doesn''t he? His wife wants to buy a few things, and I''m supposed to say no? That would be a p in Haynes'' face, wouldn''t it?"


    "Mate, after all Haynes has done for you, you''re not going to get stingy about this, are you?"


    There was nothing Jasper could say to that.


    The message was clear enough.


    As long as Ste wanted to shop, Bagot would never turn her away.


    And the bill? Of course, it would go straight to Jasper.


    He could put a stop to it in his own businesses, but he couldn''t control Bagot.


    Watching Ste spend more and more, Jasper was at his wits'' end.


    He couldn''t sit still any longer.


    He''d once sworn he wouldn''t let Ste get away with an easy divorce-that he''d make her pay.


    Now he was desperate for them to split as soon as possible.


    At least then, she''d stop using the title of Haynes'' wife to swindle everyone in town.