My in-laws are wealthy but notorious for “forgetting” their wallets at dinners, leaving others to foot their extravagant bills. For years, they pulled this stunt—even Dan’s brother and his wife joined the act. My husband Dan and I always paid, even when the bill was outrageous. It was frustrating.

Then came his mom’s 60th birthday at an upscale Italian restaurant—and oddly, she invited my mom too. Dan and I couldn’t attend due to a pre-planned anniversary trip, and I immediately suspected a setup. I warned my mom about their dine-and-dash routine, but she only said, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.”

Turns out, she did.

After my in-laws predictably disappeared post-feast, trying to leave her with a $1500 bill, she calmly ordered dessert and asked for the manager—an old student of hers named Robbie. He now owned the place.

Robbie called my in-laws, politely urging them to return or face a police report. They rushed back in shame and paid—with a 25% “inconvenience fee” added.

The best part? My mother-in-law called the next day claiming they “always pay their share.”

Since then, they actually do. Every dinner starts with her saying, “We’re all paying separately tonight.” Justice, served hot.