“Then tell her appointments are required,” Marcus said. “That isn’t a security matter.”
Diana looked at him with quiet approval.
Patricia noticed.
“This conversation is over,” she snapped. “Escort her out.”
Marcus looked directly at Diana.
“Would you like to show me the card on the counter?”
Patricia finally glanced down.
The black card displayed Diana’s photograph, her full name, and three words embossed in silver:
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
The color drained from Patricia’s face.
She picked it up with trembling fingers.
“No.”
Diana said nothing.
Patricia turned the card over as though another explanation might appear on the back.
“This could be fake.”
Diana removed her phone and called one number.
The call connected immediately.
“Good morning, Diana,” said a male voice through the speaker. “Are you at the Beverly Hills location?”
“I am.”
The voice belonged to Samuel Grant, the fifty-four-year-old Black American president of Mitchell & Rowe’s retail division.
“Is Patricia Whitman present?” he asked.
Diana held Patricia’s gaze.
“She’s standing in front of me.”
Samuel became quiet.
“So the complaints were accurate.”
Patricia’s mouth opened.
“Mr. Grant, I can explain.”
“You may explain to Human Resources,” Samuel replied. “Diana, the regional director and legal counsel are ten minutes away. They were waiting for your assessment.”
Patricia stared at Diana.
“You planned this?”
“I planned an inspection,” Diana said. “You created the rest.”
The security officers stepped back.
The customers no longer pretended not to watch. Sofia still held the Heritage Collection catalog against her chest, but her expression had changed from fear to stunned recognition.
Patricia placed the executive card carefully on the counter.
“Ms. Mitchell, there has been a misunderstanding.”
“No.”
“I didn’t recognize you.”
“That is not the misunderstanding.”
Patricia swallowed.
“If I had known who you were—”
“That is exactly the problem.”
Diana’s voice remained level, which made every word feel heavier.
“You believe respect depends on recognizing power. You didn’t know I owned the company, so you decided I deserved humiliation.”
Patricia shook her head quickly.
“I treat every customer according to store policy.”
Diana looked toward Sofia.
“Is refusing catalogs company policy?”
Sofia hesitated.
Patricia stepped toward her.
“Think carefully before you answer.”
Diana immediately moved between them.
“Do not threaten her.”
“I wasn’t threatening anyone.”