Chapter 3

"Oh my God, what's going on? Is this some kind of forced purchase?"

"That woman is so pitiful, and she has a child with her."

"Shhh, keep your voice down, didn't you hear?"

"That's Alex Sterling's ex-wife. The store owner seems to have a *special* relationship with Alex. We should probably stay out of it."

Amidst the whispers, there was some sympathy, but more often, fear and indifference.

My daughter was badly frightened. Her small body trembled in my arms, tears streaming down her face like a broken string of pearls.

"Mommy, I'm scared..."

"Don't be scared, Daisy. Mommy's here."

I gently comforted my daughter, the suppressed rage in my chest churning violently.

I hadn't wanted to make a scene in front of my daughter, but they had crossed my line.

Valerie, watching my predicament, smiled triumphantly.

"Everyone, I apologize for the spectacle today."

"This woman, relying on the fact that she was once Mrs. Sterling, thinks she can just freeload wherever she goes."

"We're a small business, we can't afford this."

"Since she refuses to pay, we have no choice but to follow policy and call mall security to handle this."

With that, she pulled out her phone and called mall security, dramatically portraying me as a deranged woman attempting to steal.

She was certain that by invoking Alex's name, mall management would side with her.

I watched her blatant lies with a cold eye. Then I took out my own phone, found a number that had been gathering dust in my contacts for ages, and sent two quick texts.

"Five minutes. Bring legal and security to Suite 103, Tower A, Zenith Mall."

"Notify all properties owned by the Zenith Group to permanently blacklist Valerie."

After sending the messages, I slipped my phone back into my pocket and waited calmly.

Valerie, having finished her call, was even more confident. She walked up to me, gloating.

"Eleanor Sterling, I suggest you get on your knees and beg me now, while you still have the chance."

"When mall security arrives, it won't just be $3,000 we're talking about."

"When word gets out that you're a thief, let's see how you'll ever show your face again."

The assistant chimed in, fanning the flames: "Exactly!"

"Who does she think she is now? Still daring to throw her weight around in our store? Delusional!"

Just then, Valerie's phone rang.

She glanced at the caller ID, and her triumphant smile instantly turned fawning. She deliberately put it on speaker, just to make sure everyone heard.

"Hello, Alex, darling~" Her voice was so sweet and syrupy it could curdle milk.

From the other end of the line, Alex's voice came through, edged with impatience:

"Valerie, what are you up to now?"

"Mall management called me, saying you're causing a scene?"

Valerie immediately started complaining pitifully:

"Alex, you *have* to back me up! It's your ex-wife, Eleanor Sterling."

"She came to my store to cause trouble, tried on clothes without paying, and even tried to hit me!"

"I really had no choice but to..."

"Eleanor Sterling?" Alex's voice held a trace of surprise, then turned cold.

"Where is she?"

"Right outside my store, sir! Please hurry, she's practically tearing my shop apart!" Valerie said, exaggerating wildly.

"Got it. I'll be right there." Alex said, then hung up the phone.

Valerie's posture became even more arrogant, her eyes full of the triumph of a victor.

"Hear that? Alex is on his way!"

Valerie's words were a shot of confidence, solidifying the onlookers' resolve to stay and watch the show.