Vanessa’s lips parted.
Daniel continued, perhaps because stopping now seemed worse.
“Monroe Heritage is the controlling owner of Prestige.”
Olivia’s eyes widened.
Catherine went perfectly still.
Vanessa looked at Alicia as though the woman in front of her had changed clothes, age, class, and identity in a single breath.
But Alicia had not changed.
That was the point.
She still wore the white gown.
Still carried the same clutch.
Still stood where she had been standing when Vanessa decided a two-hundred-ninety-five-thousand-dollar bracelet was beyond her.
Vanessa’s hands dropped to her sides.
“Ms. Monroe…”
Alicia held up one finger.
Not threatening.
Just enough.
Vanessa stopped.
Daniel asked quietly:
“Would you like my office?”
“No.”
“Conference room?”
“No.”
Alicia looked around the sales floor.
“This is fine.”
Daniel’s face tightened.
“Of course.”
Alicia turned toward the Hollisters.
They had become unwilling spectators.
She smiled.
“Please continue your appointment.”
Mrs. Hollister looked uncertain.
Vanessa almost moved toward them.
Alicia said:
“Olivia.”
The younger associate jumped.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Would you please take care of Mr. and Mrs. Hollister?”
Olivia glanced toward Vanessa.
Then back.
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Olivia went.
Alicia looked at Catherine.
“Would you continue normal service?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
Then Alicia turned to Vanessa.
“Come with me.”
Vanessa’s face went pale.
Daniel started to follow.
Alicia looked at him.
“You too.”
They walked into the back office.
The first room contained staff lockers, a coffee station, a scheduling board, and three desks.
Alicia shut the door.
Vanessa immediately spoke.
“Ms. Monroe, I had absolutely no idea—”
Alicia raised her hand.
“That sentence is not going to help you.”
Vanessa stopped.
Alicia set her clutch down.
Daniel remained near the door.
His expression was controlled.
Alicia knew him well enough to see anger under it.
She also knew Daniel’s anger could become convenient if she let it.
Executives sometimes loved firing a visible offender because it proved decisiveness while shielding everything above that person.
Alicia had no interest in convenient anger.
She looked at Vanessa.
“I want you to tell me what you believed was happening.”
Vanessa blinked.
“I’m sorry?”
“From the moment I walked into the store.”
“I’d like your version.”
Vanessa looked at Daniel.
He did not rescue her.
She swallowed.
“I saw a walk-in customer.”
“Correct.”
“We were busy.”
“Were you?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“Moderately.”
There had been one couple in the bridal section and another woman browsing earrings.
Not busy.
Alicia let it go.
“You asked about high-value heritage pieces.”
“Yes.”
“And I was attempting to qualify the sale.”
“Qualify?”
“Determine intent.”
“How?”
Vanessa’s hands clasped in front of her.
“Conversation.”
“What did my conversation tell you?”
“You did not have an appointment.”
“Correct.”
“You asked immediately for a significant piece.”
“Correct.”
“You said you knew pricing.”
“Correct.”
Vanessa stopped.
Alicia waited.
“What else?”
The manager looked uncomfortable.
“Nothing.”
Alicia leaned against the desk.
“That’s not enough to explain your behavior.”
Vanessa’s eyes flicked toward Daniel.
Alicia followed.
“Don’t look at him.”
Vanessa looked back.
“Talk to me.”
“I misjudged you.”
“Based on what?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.”
“I made assumptions.”
“About?”
Vanessa’s voice dropped.
“Whether you were likely to buy.”
“Based on?”
No answer.
Alicia waited.
The silence stretched.
Finally Vanessa said:
“Your arrival profile.”
Alicia almost smiled at the phrase.
“What does that mean?”
“No appointment.”
“No driver.”
“No assistant.”
“You were alone.”
“Anything else?”
Vanessa’s eyes lowered.