— "Do not twist my words!" Arthur barked. "This is a private establishment, and we prioritize our longstanding, loyal patrons!"
Victoria scoffed in triumphant malice from behind her dark glasses: — "Did you hear that? Now get out before security drags you onto the curb!"
CHAPTER 5: WHEN THE MASK SLIPS
Just as the injustice seemed about to prevail, the encrypted company phone in Arthur Vance’s breast pocket erupted with a piercing ringtone.
Frowning, Arthur pulled the device out to silence it, but the caller ID caused his heart to stop. It was the direct emergency line from the Global Headquarters of L’Honneur Luxury Group—the parent conglomerate that owned Maison Vaneau alongside dozens of the world's most prestigious fashion houses.
Arthur pressed the phone to his ear, his voice trembling: — "H-Hello? Vice President Laurent, sir..."
The voice on the other end was not the Vice President. It was the thunderous, furious tone of the Group's Chief Executive: — "Arthur Vance! What in God's name are you doing on the boutique floor?! Our live security analytics feed just flagged an escalated altercation! Do you have any idea who is currently standing in your store?!"
Arthur stuttered, confused: — "Sir... Mrs. Victoria Sterling is here, and there was a minor dispute between my clerk and—"
— "Shut your mouth!" the CEO roared through the receiver. "Who cares about Victoria Sterling?! Dr. Maya Bennett is in your store! Dr. Maya Bennett—world-renowned Chief of Pediatric Neuro-trauma and President of the Global Health Endowment! And more importantly, her endowment completed the acquisition of a thirty-five percent controlling stake in L’Honneur Group this morning! She is our single largest institutional stakeholder! If you insult her, both you and I will be out on the street before sundown, you absolute fool!"
The words struck Arthur Vance like physical blows.
The phone shook violently in his clammy hand. Every drop of blood drained from his face, leaving him ashen. He slowly raised his head, staring in sheer terror at the woman in the understated dark silk outfit standing before him.
— "Well, Vance?" Victoria pressed, oblivious to the catastrophe. "Why haven't you called security yet? Or should I call the precinct commissioner myself?"
Arthur swallowed with great difficulty. His knees buckled, and step by trembling step, he approached Maya. Before the stunned eyes of Victoria and the entire staff, the haughty general manager dropped into a ninety-degree bow, his voice cracking: