The line paused as the executive on the other end received the order.
"Yes. I’m standing inside the store now."
Baxter let out a mocking laugh, shaking his head. "Look, lady, I don't care what fake phone calls you make. Both of you need to get out of my store before I have the police trespass you."
The old woman quietly lowered her phone, looked Baxter in the eye, and remained right where she was.
Chapter IV: The New Ownership
Less than five minutes later, the store’s public address system chimed with an urgent tone, followed by the frantic ringing of Baxter’s private company handset.
Baxter clicked the receiver, an arrogant smirk still lingering on his face: "Baxter here."
"Harold! Shut up and listen to me!" the regional vice president screamed through the speaker, loud enough for Lily and the surrounding shoppers to hear. "The board of directors just executed an emergency majority buyout of the entire retail chain! The new primary owner is Madame Eleanor Vance, the venture chairwoman who was conducting an unannounced field audit in your district!"