“I made an assumption.”
The Billionaire Woman nodded.
“Yes.”
The manager continued:
“I was wrong.”
The Billionaire Woman looked toward the high-jewelry case.
“That is obvious.”
The manager flinched.
The Billionaire Woman continued:
“I’m asking what made the assumption feel reasonable to you.”
The manager struggled.
“I don’t know.”
That answer sounded more honest than anything before it.
The Billionaire Woman nodded.
“Then that is where you should start.”
The Chairman looked toward the private salon.
The Billionaire Woman shook her head.
“Not here.”
She turned toward the young sales associate.
“You wanted her to verify.”
The employee froze.
The Boutique Manager looked sharply at her.
The Chairman noticed.
The Billionaire Woman asked:
“Didn’t you?”
The young associate hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you insist?”
The young woman looked toward the manager.
The answer stood between them.
The Billionaire Woman saw it.
So did the Chairman.
Power.
Fear.
The Chairman looked toward the Boutique Manager.
“How long has that been true?”
The manager said:
“What?”
“That employees are afraid to correct you.”
“I don’t think they are.”
The young associate said nothing.
That silence answered anyway.
The Chairman’s expression hardened.
The Billionaire Woman placed one hand on the archival case.
“I came here to buy jewelry.”
Then looked toward the manager.
“Not someone’s career.”
The manager’s eyes lifted.
Hope.
Too soon.
The Billionaire Woman continued:
“So I will not make the employment decision.”
The Chairman nodded.
“Understood.”
“But I expect the company to review what happened.”
“It will.”
“Security footage.”
“Yes.”
“Staff statements.”
“Yes.”
“Previous client complaints.”
The manager’s face changed.
The Billionaire Woman noticed.
Interesting.
The Chairman noticed too.
“Previous complaints?”
The manager said:
“There are always complaints.”
The Chairman’s tone went cold.
“How many?”
“I don’t know.”
The young associate looked toward him.
The Chairman saw.
“Do you?”
The young woman hesitated.
“Some.”
The manager turned.
“Do not.”
The Chairman’s face changed instantly.
“That will be enough.”
The manager froze.
“Sir.”
“Office.”
This time the Billionaire Woman did not stop him.
The Boutique Manager stepped away from the counter.
Before leaving, she looked toward the Billionaire Woman.
No sneer.
No superiority.
Fear.
Then something else.
Shame perhaps.
The woman could not be sure.
The manager followed an executive toward the back.
The Chairman exhaled.
Then looked at the Billionaire Woman.
“I am profoundly sorry.”
She looked toward the necklace.
“You did not do it.”
“I lead the house.”
“That means you investigate it.”
“Yes.”
“Do that.”