Chapter 5
The next morning, I returned to the boutique.
Not because I was brave.
Because I was angry enough to move.
A new temporary manager, Elise, met me at the door.
She was in her fifties, elegant, sharp-eyed, and wore no expression she did not mean.
“Miss Ellison,” she said.
“I reviewed yesterday’s incident. I’m sorry.”
That was new.
Managers usually said things like unfortunate, misunderstanding, difficult customer.
Sorry felt almost dangerous.
“Thank you.”
She handed me a folder.
“Mr. Sterling asked me to give you these.”
Inside were copies of the false disciplinary reports.
Carl’s signature.
Dates.
Notes.
Lies.
My hands shook.
“I never saw these.”
“You weren’t meant to,” Elise said.
“They were being held for termination.”
“Why?”
She looked toward the VIP room.
“Because Tiffany Vale had an appointment here yesterday. Carl was warned in advance she disliked you.”
I stared.
“She didn’t know me.”
“She knew of you.”
“How?”
Elise hesitated.
“Her boyfriend came here last month.”
I remembered him then.
Not clearly.
A tall man buying earrings.
He had asked my name.
I gave it because my name tag was visible.
He had said I should model.
I had said no, thank you.
That was all.
Apparently, that was enough to make Tiffany hate me.
Elise continued.
“Carl noted the interaction. Someone told Tiffany.”
My stomach turned.
“So they set me up.”
“They prepared to blame you if she reacted badly.”
I gripped the folder.
“Why tell me?”
“Because Mr. Sterling believes people should know when knives are being sharpened behind them.”
I looked up.
Alexander stood near the entrance.
I had not heard him come in.
The store shifted around him.
Employees straightened.
Customers stared.
He walked toward me, his gaze on the folder.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“For what?”
“For owning a place where this was allowed to happen.”
I did not know what to say.
He looked at Elise.
“Miss Ellison will report directly to you. Any client who mistreats staff leaves immediately. No exceptions.”
Elise nodded.
Then he turned back to me.
“Tiffany’s father wants a meeting.”
“With you?”
“With us.”
I blinked.
“Us?”
“He claims you provoked his daughter. I prefer he make that accusation while facing the woman he’s lying about.”
My fear rose.
Alexander saw it.
“You can decline.”
I thought of Tiffany’s hand.
Carl’s silence.
The false reports.
My mother counting pills at the kitchen table.
May you like
“No,” I said.
“I’ll be there.”
