But across the city, another person was already preparing to enter Bellamy & Crown.
And unlike Samuel, that person would not arrive quietly.
***
At Bellamy & Crown, Eleanor was having a very different afternoon.
Her supervisor, Patricia Collins, had praised her performance during the morning sales meeting.
Patricia was the store manager, a polished woman in her early fifties who believed that luxury retail depended on maintaining an exclusive atmosphere.
She was ambitious, organized, and highly sensitive to the expectations of senior management.
She also believed Eleanor had the qualities needed to become an assistant manager.
Eleanor had excellent sales figures.
She remembered product details, handled expensive transactions confidently, and knew how to make wealthy customers feel special.
Her weakness was that she often confused confidence with superiority.
Patricia had noticed this before.
On several occasions, she had heard Eleanor speak impatiently to customers who asked too many questions.
Once, a woman wearing inexpensive clothing had been left waiting while Eleanor assisted a businessman who had arrived afterward.
Patricia had intervened.
Eleanor had apologized, and the matter had been forgotten.
Or so Patricia believed.
When she returned from lunch, she found Eleanor polishing a glass display case.
"How is everything going?" Patricia asked.
"Perfectly."
"Any serious customers today?"
Eleanor smiled.
"We sold the platinum watch, and I have two appointments tomorrow."
"Excellent."
Patricia glanced at the empty counter near the silver jewelry collection.
"Did someone look at the antique locket earlier?"
Eleanor's hand paused.
"An older gentleman."
"Did he buy it?"
"No."
"Was there a problem?"
Eleanor resumed polishing.
"Not really. He seemed confused about our pricing."
Patricia looked at her.
"Confused how?"
"He wanted to see the piece, but I don't think he understood what kind of store this is."
Patricia frowned.
"Did he make a scene?"
"No."
"Was he rude?"
"Not exactly."
"Then what happened?"
Eleanor hesitated.
"He became offended when I explained that our pieces are expensive."
Patricia studied her for a moment.
"Did you explain it politely?"
"Of course."
Patricia had managed stores for more than twenty years. She knew that customers sometimes became difficult, but she also knew that employees could be remarkably creative when explaining their own mistakes.
"All right," she said. "If he contacts us, let me know."
"He won't."
Eleanor sounded certain.
Patricia returned to her office.
Eleanor watched her go and felt relieved.
She had successfully turned an uncomfortable interaction into a harmless misunderstanding.
At least, that was what she believed.
Shortly before closing time, a young man in a dark suit entered the store.
He was carrying a leather portfolio and wore a discreet silver watch.
He approached Patricia, who had just returned to the sales floor.
"Good afternoon. My name is Daniel Brooks. I'm here on behalf of Whitaker Heritage Group."
Patricia's posture changed.
"Of course. Welcome."
Daniel introduced himself as the director of retail operations for the parent company's luxury division.
He explained that he was conducting a routine review of customer service procedures.
Patricia immediately became more attentive.
"We're happy to assist in any way."
"Thank you. I'd like to speak with you privately, and then I may have a few questions for your team."
"Certainly."
Patricia led him into her office.
For the next twenty minutes, they discussed sales figures, staffing, customer feedback, and the company's plans for the coming quarter.
Everything appeared normal until Daniel opened his portfolio.
"I also received a report concerning an interaction with a customer this morning."
Patricia's expression changed.
"What kind of interaction?"
"An older gentleman who asked to examine a silver locket."
Patricia's stomach tightened.
She glanced toward the sales floor.
"Yes. Eleanor mentioned that someone had been in earlier."
"Did she explain what happened?"
"She said there was a misunderstanding."
Daniel removed a sheet of paper from his portfolio.
"According to the information I received, the customer was told that he might be more comfortable shopping somewhere else because the store's jewelry was too expensive for him."
Patricia said nothing.
Daniel continued.
"The customer was also threatened with removal by security despite having made no apparent disturbance."
"That doesn't sound like our usual procedure."
"No. It doesn't."
Patricia felt a chill move through her.
"Has the customer filed a formal complaint?"
"Not that I'm aware of."
"Then how did this reach your office?"
Daniel closed the folder.
"Because customer treatment is part of my responsibility."
Patricia understood that answer, but it did not explain everything.
"Was this customer connected to the company?"
Daniel looked at her.
"Why would that matter?"
She immediately regretted the question.
"It wouldn't. I only meant—"
"I understand."
He stood.
"I'd like to speak with Eleanor before I leave."
Patricia tried to maintain her composure.
"Of course."
When Daniel stepped onto the sales floor, Eleanor was assisting a customer with a gold bracelet.
She noticed his suit and assumed he was another executive.
Her smile became brighter.
"Good afternoon. Welcome to Bellamy & Crown. How may I help you?"
Daniel showed her his identification.
"Eleanor Hayes?"
"Yes."
"I'm Daniel Brooks, from Whitaker Heritage Group."
She straightened.
"Of course. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yes. I'd like to ask you about a customer you assisted this morning."
Eleanor's smile faltered.
"What customer?"
"An older gentleman who asked to see the silver locket in the antique collection."
For the first time that day, Eleanor felt genuinely afraid.
But fear did not make her honest.
Instead, it made her defensive.
"I remember him. He misunderstood what I was trying to explain."
"What did you explain?"
"That our store specializes in luxury jewelry and that the piece might be outside his budget."
"Did he ask you about his budget?"
Eleanor hesitated.
"Not directly."
"Did he behave inappropriately?"
"No."
"Did he raise his voice?"
"No."
"Did he threaten anyone?"
"No."
"Then why did you ask security to remove him?"
Eleanor glanced toward Patricia's office.
"I didn't ask security to remove him. I asked for assistance."
Daniel waited.