The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Cold sweat trickled down Galen's face.

He knew Jasper was always getting into trouble out there. If it weren't for his two reliable friends, Haynes and Foreman Richards, constantly bailing him out, Jasper would've crashed and burned long ago.

Truth be told, Jasper just wasn't up to the job. Galen had never really wanted to hand The Wilkinson Group over to him. But with two such capable friends at his side, what could go wrong? As long as Haynes and Foreman tossed a few contracts their way, the company would keep running smoothly-might even thrive. The Wilkinson Group had its share of talented department heads, too. All Jasper needed to do was sit back and enjoy the ride. And if anything serious cropped up, Haynes would step in.

With the O'Brien Group backing him, Jasper should have had it made.

Galen never imagined that Jasper, without a word of warning, would land him in such a mess.

If it weren't for the setting, Galen would've slapped him right then and there.

He scrambled for an excuse. "Mr. Burton, I'm truly sorry. Jasper didn't know who you were, otherwise he would never have "

Mr. Burton arched an eyebrow. "So, by your account, the Wilkinson family only picks on the weak and grovels to the strong? Is that how you do business?"

Galen fell silent, his legs trembling so hard he could barely stand.

He knew that crossing Mr. Burton meant disaster; the Burton family wouldn't have

finger to ruin The Wilkinson

been quiet all this time, finally spoke

going to come over here and apologize to Mr.

like a bucket of cold water. For all his arrogance, Jasper wasn't completely reckless-he knew exactly what he could get away

Neville, for example. He'd assumed Mr. Burton was just some unremarkable old man,

How wrong he'd been.

darted around the room, never

was all a misunderstanding-my fault entirely. Please, sir, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive a foolish

trace of defiance or resentment

shop, and a simple apology is supposed to make it right? Tell me, young man, are your words really worth their

stammered, “I—I can

I look like I

side, not daring to utter a word. Only Haynes remained calm and composed, neither servile nor

would it take for you to let this go? What can we do to make things right for Jasper?"

was rare to see such poise in someone young, especially after learning who he was dealing with. A pity, he thought, that Haynes was so blind to the company he

can do," Mr. Burton replied coolly.

the type to let things go