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SHE WAS JUDGED IN A LUXURY STORE, BUT HER SECRET CHANGED EVERYTHING

Chapter 2

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Vanessa stepped out from behind the counter."Listen, I don't appreciate the way you're speaking to me."Evelyn raised her eyebrows."I'm asking for a manager.""You're questioning my professionalism.""Your professionalism is your responsibility. My question is about the product.""You walked in here, demanded to see our most exclusive handbag, and immediately started criticizing it.""I asked to see a handbag. I examined it. I noticed a possible defect.""And now you want to complain?""Now I want an answer."Vanessa came around the counter completely.Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she moved closer."Perhaps this boutique isn't the right place for you."The words landed between them like a glass breaking in an otherwise quiet room.Evelyn stared at her."What makes you say that?"Vanessa's jaw tightened."You seem uncomfortable with our policies.""I haven't been told any policies.""You seem determined to find a problem.""I found one.""Then perhaps you should shop somewhere else."Evelyn slowly lowered her hands."Is that how you speak to every customer who asks a question?"Vanessa glanced around the boutique.Several people were watching now."I speak to customers who respect our business.""And how do you decide who deserves your respect?"Vanessa did not answer immediately.That silence said more than she intended.Evelyn nodded once."I understand.""No, I don't think you do.""Then explain it to me."Vanessa took another step forward."You cannot walk into an establishment like this and expect everyone to accommodate you simply because you demand it."Evelyn's expression changed.Not dramatically.Not enough for the other customers to understand what had happened.But Vanessa saw it.The warmth disappeared from Evelyn's eyes, leaving behind something colder and more deliberate."An establishment like this?" Evelyn repeated.Vanessa folded her arms again."Yes.""What does that mean?""It means we maintain a certain standard.""And what standard do you believe I'm failing to meet?"Vanessa looked Evelyn up and down.The movement was brief.It was also unmistakable.Evelyn inhaled slowly."Thank you," she said.Vanessa frowned."For what?""For making your position clear."Before Vanessa could respond, Evelyn reached into the inside pocket of her jacket and removed a slim black phone.She tapped the screen once.Then she placed it face down on the counter."I would like the manager here in the next five minutes."Vanessa laughed without humor."Or what?"Evelyn met her eyes."Or someone above the manager will be here instead."Vanessa stared at her.For the first time, she seemed unable to decide whether to laugh or become angry."You think you can threaten me?""No," Evelyn replied. "I think you can choose how this conversation ends."Vanessa's face flushed."You know what? I'm finished with this."She reached for the handbag.Evelyn moved her hand away from it."Please leave the product where it is."Vanessa stopped."Excuse me?""That handbag was on the counter when this conversation began. It hasn't been purchased, and I haven't authorized you to remove it from my inspection.""You don't own this handbag.""Neither do you."A man standing near the entrance looked over his shoulder.The store's security guard, who had been watching from a discreet position near the wall, began walking toward them.Vanessa noticed him and immediately changed her tone."Sir, could you assist me? This customer is becoming disruptive."Evelyn turned toward the approaching guard."I'm not being disruptive. I'm requesting the manager and reporting a possible defect."Vanessa interrupted."She's refusing to cooperate."The guard looked between the two women."Ma'am, is there a problem?""Yes," Evelyn said. "But I don't believe it's the problem you've been told about."The guard hesitated.He had worked in luxury retail long enough to know that situations could become complicated very quickly. He also knew that removing a customer from a boutique without understanding the circumstances could create problems of its own."Perhaps we should all calm down," he suggested.Evelyn nodded."I'm perfectly calm."Vanessa gave an exaggerated sigh."Of course you are."Evelyn turned back toward her."You keep saying things about me that have nothing to do with the handbag.""Because this isn't just about a handbag anymore.""You're right."Evelyn picked up her phone."It isn't."She tapped the screen again."Daniel, I'm at the flagship boutique. I need you to come downstairs."She listened for a moment."Yes, now."Then she ended the call.Vanessa shook her head."Who was that?"
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SHE WAS JUDGED IN A LUXURY STORE, BUT HER SECRET CHANGED EVERYTHING

11 Part