"Mr. Blake, this customer would like to see the watch collection."
Martin glanced at Victoria.
Then at her handbag.
"Does she have an appointment?"
The employee shook her head.
"No, sir."
Martin looked at Victoria.
"I'm afraid our private watch collection is available by appointment only."
Victoria nodded.
"That's fine. I'd still like to see the regular collection."
Martin looked toward the employee.
"Please explain the current appointment policy."
The young woman appeared uncomfortable.
"Of course."
Victoria looked at him.
"Is there a reason I can't see the regular collection?"
Martin gave a polite but dismissive smile.
"We're experiencing a high volume of private appointments today."
Victoria glanced around.
There were only two customers in the store.
"I see."
Martin continued.
"Perhaps you could return later."
Victoria looked at the watches.
"I was hoping to purchase a gift today."
Martin's expression remained unchanged.
"Then perhaps one of our other locations would be more suitable."
The employee looked down.
Victoria slowly nodded.
"Thank you."
She turned toward the entrance.
But before she reached the doors, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Ms. Bennett?"
Victoria stopped.
A woman in her late forties was approaching from the private office.
It was Sophia Grant, the regional operations director.
She had been informed of Victoria's arrival that morning, but she hadn't expected to find her leaving the store.
"Ms. Bennett, what are you doing here?"
Victoria smiled.
"Just looking around."
Sophia glanced at Martin.
Then at the young sales associate.
Her expression changed.
"Is there a problem?"
Martin immediately straightened.
"No, nothing at all. I was simply explaining our appointment policy."
Victoria turned.
"Is that what you were doing?"
Sophia looked confused.
Victoria continued.
"I asked to see the regular watch collection. Mr. Blake suggested I visit another store."
Sophia's face became tense.
She turned toward Martin.
"Why?"
Martin began explaining.
But Victoria raised a hand.
"Please. I'd rather hear the explanation from him."
Martin swallowed.
"I was managing customer flow."
"With two customers in the store?"
He hesitated.
"Yes."
Victoria nodded.
"Interesting."
Sophia looked at the employee.
"What's your name?"
"Jessica, ma'am."
"Would you mind telling us what happened?"
Jessica glanced toward Martin.
Victoria noticed.
"You're not in trouble, Jessica."
The young woman took a breath.
"Ms. Bennett asked to see the regular watch collection. Mr. Blake told me to direct her elsewhere."
Martin immediately interrupted.
"That's not an accurate description."
Jessica continued.
"I was about to show her the collection, but he stopped me."
Victoria looked at Martin.
"Why?"
He appeared increasingly uncomfortable.
"Because we have specific customer service standards."
Victoria smiled faintly.
"Then perhaps you should read the new ones."
She reached into her handbag and removed a small black business card.
She placed it on the counter.
Martin looked down.
His face turned pale.
The card read:
VICTORIA BENNETT
CHAIRWOMAN
MAISON LAURENT INTERNATIONAL
For several seconds, Martin didn't speak.
Then he looked up.
"Ms. Bennett..."
Victoria nodded.
"Good morning, Mr. Blake."
Sophia closed her eyes briefly.
She understood immediately.
The same problem that had existed in New York was still alive in London.
Victoria looked toward the watch display.
"Now, if you don't mind, I'd still like to see the collection."
Jessica stepped forward.
"Of course, ma'am."
She walked toward the display and unlocked the glass cabinet.
Victoria followed.
Martin remained standing near the entrance.
He looked as though the floor had disappeared beneath his feet.
Sophia approached him quietly.
"Martin, my office. Now."
But Victoria turned.
"Not yet."
Both executives stopped.
"I want to finish my visit first."
She examined several watches.
Jessica explained the materials, the movement, and the history of the collection.
Victoria asked thoughtful questions.
She eventually selected a silver watch with a dark green dial.
"How much is this one?"
"Twenty-eight thousand pounds."
Victoria nodded.
"I'll take it."
Jessica smiled.
"Wonderful. I'll prepare the paperwork."
Victoria handed over her card.
As the purchase was being processed, she looked toward the store director.
"Mr. Blake?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"How long have you worked for Maison Laurent?"
"Eleven years."
"Eleven years is a significant amount of time."
"Yes."
"Then you should understand what kind of company we're trying to build."
Martin nodded nervously.
Victoria continued.
"I want you to meet with Sophia and the independent review team this afternoon. Please provide a full explanation of your decisions today and any relevant customer service policies."
"Of course."
"And please don't contact anyone to coordinate your explanation."
Martin's expression changed.
"I wouldn't do that."
"Good."
Victoria collected the receipt.
Then she turned toward Jessica.
"Thank you for your help."
Jessica smiled.
"It was my pleasure."
Victoria walked toward the exit.
But just before leaving, she stopped beside the young woman.
"Jessica, keep doing your job the way you did today."
Jessica nodded.
"Thank you."
Outside, Sophia caught up with Victoria.
"Ms. Bennett, I apologize."
Victoria looked at her.
"For what?"
"For what happened in the store."
"Did you know this was happening?"
Sophia hesitated.
"Not specifically."
"Did you know there were complaints about Martin?"
Sophia lowered her eyes.
"Yes."
Victoria stopped walking.
"How many?"
"Three formal complaints."
"And what happened?"
"They were handled internally."
"By whom?"
Sophia didn't answer.
Victoria sighed.
"Sophia, I don't want people apologizing to me because I'm the chairwoman. I want them to stop treating customers badly when they think nobody important is watching."
"I understand."
"Do you?"
Sophia nodded.
Victoria continued toward the waiting car.
"Please make sure the investigation is independent."
Sophia watched her leave.
That evening, Victoria received a message from Natalie.
The auditors have identified additional payments connected to the consulting arrangements. The total is now estimated at $11.2 million.
Victoria read it twice.
A second message arrived.
There is also evidence suggesting that Charles Harrington attempted to influence the original acquisition due diligence process.
Victoria stared at the screen.
The situation was now far more serious than an internal management dispute.
The following morning, she returned to London headquarters.
The legal director was waiting in the conference room.
"Ms. Bennett, we have the preliminary findings."
Victoria sat down.