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

a finger to ruin The

moment, Haynes, who'd been quiet all this time, finally

going to come over here and

a bucket of cold water. For all his

Neville, for example. He'd assumed Mr. Burton was just some unremarkable old man, someone with neither

How wrong he'd been.

gaze darted around the room,

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

was no trace of defiance or resentment in his apology this

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

stammered, “I—I can pay

I

the side, not daring to utter a word. Only Haynes

for you to let this go? What can

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

Mr. Burton replied coolly. "No matter what he does,

forgive him. I'm not the type to let things go