A woman in a charcoal business suit entered the boutique carrying a document folder. She was followed by two corporate employees and a security supervisor.
Richard recognized the woman immediately.
It was Amanda Price, the regional director responsible for several of the company's most profitable luxury retail locations.
He hurried toward her.
"Ms. Price! I wasn't expecting you today."
Amanda barely glanced at him.
"Where is Mr. Carter?"
Richard frowned.
"Mr. Carter?"
She looked around the boutique.
"Elijah Carter. He told me he would be here."
Richard's expression changed.
He followed Amanda's gaze toward the window.
There stood the older gentleman in the brown coat.
Daniel had returned to Elijah's side, holding the leather portfolio.
Amanda walked directly toward them.
"Mr. Carter, I'm sorry for the delay. Traffic was heavier than expected."
Elijah nodded.
"Thank you for coming, Amanda."
Richard stood motionless.
He looked at Elijah, then at Amanda, then back at Elijah.
The older man's modest coat suddenly seemed to mean something different.
Amanda turned toward Richard.
"Mr. Coleman, I believe you know who this is."
Richard swallowed.
"I... yes. Of course."
Amanda's expression was stern.
"This is Elijah Carter, chairman of Carter & Vale and the principal investor behind the company that operates Maison Laurent."
The words seemed to strike the room like a sudden clap of thunder.
Several shoppers turned toward Elijah.
A sales associate near the jewelry display froze with a velvet tray in her hands.
Victoria slowly lowered her phone.
Richard's face lost its color.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Elijah looked at Richard.
"Earlier, you told me that I had no authority to interfere with your employees."
Richard opened his mouth, but no words emerged.
Elijah continued in the same calm voice.
"Would you care to explain why you believed that?"
Richard forced a nervous smile.
"Mr. Carter, I didn't realize who you were."
"That much is obvious."
"I apologize if my comments came across incorrectly."
Elijah glanced toward Nia.
"Did they come across incorrectly to you, Miss Brooks?"
Nia stood still, uncertain what she was expected to say.
Richard immediately turned toward her.
"Nia, I believe there has been a misunderstanding."
Elijah raised one hand.
"Please allow her to answer."
The room became silent again.
Nia took a breath.
"No, sir," she said quietly. "I don't believe it was a misunderstanding."
Richard's expression tightened.
Elijah nodded.
"Thank you for being honest."
He turned toward Amanda.
"Please ask everyone who witnessed the interaction to remain available for a brief conversation. I want an accurate account of what happened today."
Amanda immediately instructed the staff to cooperate.
Daniel opened the portfolio and removed several documents.
Elijah looked toward Richard.
"I would also like to see the incident report you prepared concerning Miss Brooks."
Richard hesitated.
"I haven't completed it yet."
"Then show me the suspension notice."
Richard reluctantly retrieved the document from his office.
Elijah read it carefully.
The notice contained only a brief description of the incident and the phrase FAILURE TO MEET CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPECTATIONS.
There was no detailed investigation, no witness statement, and no record of the reservation system being checked.
Elijah placed the paper on the counter.
"You suspended an employee without interviewing the witnesses, reviewing the reservation records, or determining whether she had violated a specific policy?"
Richard shifted uncomfortably.
"Ms. Hale is an important customer."
"That was not my question."
Richard swallowed.
"No, sir. I haven't completed a full investigation."
"Then why did you make a disciplinary decision before completing one?"
"I was trying to resolve the customer's complaint quickly."
"By punishing the employee?"
Richard looked down.
"I was trying to protect the business."
Elijah nodded.
"That is an interesting explanation. Tell me, Mr. Coleman, what do you believe protects a business?"
Richard appeared desperate to provide the correct answer.
"Customer satisfaction, strong sales, and maintaining our reputation."
"Those are important," Elijah replied. "But they are not the entire answer."
He gestured toward the plaque above the register.
"Your own store promises respect in every interaction. Does that promise apply only to customers?"
Richard said nothing.
Elijah continued.
"Or does it also apply to the people who spend their days serving them?"
Nobody in the room moved.
Richard's silence had become an answer of its own.
Elijah turned toward Amanda.
"Please begin the review."
Amanda nodded.
"Of course."
She approached the nearest employee and asked what they had witnessed.