Chapter 11 - Buying the Town
Julian’s jealousy was a dangerous, volatile thing. He went back to his cottage and paced the floor. He couldn't stand the thought of that carpenter looking at Clara, touching the frames she built, making her smile.
Old habits die hard. The next morning, Julian went into the town center. He walked into the local hardware store where Mark bought his lumber and bought the entire store’s inventory of premium oak and cedar. He walked into the community center, which was struggling for funding, and wrote a check for a hundred thousand dollars. He tipped the local barista a thousand dollars for a black coffee.
By noon, the whole town was buzzing about the eccentric billionaire throwing money around like confetti.
Clara stormed across the street and hammered on Julian's door. He opened it, looking slightly pleased with himself.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Clara yelled, pushing past him into his cottage.
"I'm supporting the local economy," Julian said defensively.
"You bought all of Mark's framing wood! You're trying to financially ruin a carpenter because you're jealous!"
"He was standing too close to you," Julian snapped, the polished veneer cracking.
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"You don't own me, Julian!" Clara screamed, poking him hard in the chest. "This is exactly why I left! You think you can control the world with a credit card. You can't buy my affection. You can't buy this town. And you certainly can't buy a shortcut back into my life!"
She turned and marched out, slamming the door so hard the glass panes rattled. Julian stood in the quiet room, the echo of her words ringing in his ears. She was right. He was playing the same game, just on a different board.
