He was the general manager of the boutique and had been responsible for overseeing its operations for the past six years.
When he entered, he glanced toward the counter.
Then he saw Eleanor.
His expression changed immediately.
He stopped walking.
For a second, he seemed unable to believe what he was seeing.
Then he hurried toward her.
"Mrs. Whitmore?"
Eleanor turned.
"Hello, Richard."
Richard looked genuinely relieved.
"I didn't know you were coming today. If I had known, I would have met you at the entrance."
"That wasn't necessary."
"Of course it was. Welcome back."
Vanessa froze.
She looked from Richard to Eleanor, trying to understand what was happening.
Richard continued.
"How have you been? It's been several months since we last spoke."
"Very well, thank you. I was in the neighborhood and decided to stop by."
Richard smiled.
"That's wonderful. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Eleanor glanced at the coat and handbag on the counter.
"Your sales associate has been helping me."
Richard followed her gaze.
"Vanessa?"
"Yes."
Richard turned toward the young woman.
"Have you taken good care of Mrs. Whitmore?"
Vanessa opened her mouth.
"Yes, absolutely, Mr. Hale."
Eleanor did not respond.
Richard noticed the silence.
He looked at the cream coat, then at the handbag.
"Beautiful choices. That coat is one of our signature pieces."
"I thought so too," Eleanor replied.
Richard smiled.
"May I ask whether everything has been satisfactory?"
Eleanor considered her answer.
"The clothing is lovely. The service, however, has been rather interesting."
Richard's smile disappeared.
"What do you mean?"
Vanessa stepped forward.
"Mrs. Whitmore was just browsing, and I was explaining the collection."
Eleanor gently placed her wallet on the counter.
"I asked to try on a coat. Your employee repeatedly reminded me that it was expensive. She suggested that I might damage it. Then she directed me toward cheaper accessories without asking what I wanted."
Richard's expression became serious.
"Is that true?"
Vanessa looked uncomfortable.
"I was only trying to make sure she understood the collection."
"She understood the collection," Eleanor said. "She simply assumed I did not belong here."
Chloe stood quietly behind the counter.
Richard turned toward her.
"Chloe, did you witness what happened?"
Chloe hesitated.
Vanessa gave her a sharp look.
But Chloe finally spoke.
"Yes, sir. Mrs. Whitmore was polite from the beginning. Vanessa made several comments about her appearance and assumed she couldn't afford the items."
Vanessa's face turned red.
"That's not what happened!"
Richard raised his hand.
"Let's not argue in front of the customer."
He turned back to Eleanor.
"Mrs. Whitmore, I'm very sorry. This is not how we expect anyone to be treated here."
Eleanor nodded.
"I appreciate that."