Chapter 8 - The Corporate Audit
“Ms... Ms. Vance?” Gillian stammered, her hands flying up to touch her lapel pin as if she could hide her brand badge. “I... I didn't realize... we receive corporate inspection notices two weeks in advance—'
“Unannounced audits are the only way to see how my stores actually operate,” Clara interrupted, her amber eyes locking onto the trembling sales lead. She turned her attention to the elderly woman, stepping past Gillian and offering her a warm, genuine smile. “Hello. I’m Clara. Are you alright?”
The elderly woman blinked, clutching her plastic department store bag tighter. “I... I just wanted to see the blue scarf for my granddaughter. I didn't mean to cause trouble.”
“You didn't cause any trouble at all,” Clara said gently. She turned back to Gillian, whose face had turned the color of wet parchment. “Gillian. Go to the back inventory room right now. Retrieve every single silk scarf in the blue floral pattern we currently have in stock.”
“M-my apologies, Ms. Vance, but our inventory system is currently undergoing maintenance—”
“That wasn't a suggestion,” Clara’s voice dropped into a register of pure, unyielding ice. “If you aren't back on this floor with three options in two minutes, your employment contract with Valerie Vane—and every affiliate brand in this portfolio—will be terminated for gross misconduct and discriminatory customer profiling.”
Gillian didn't argue. She turned on her heel and practically sprinted toward the back stockroom doors, her heels clattering against the herringbone floor.
The two security guards stood frozen, not knowing whether to stand at attention or slip out the back exit.
“You two,” Clara said, looking at the guards without breaking her calm demeanor. “Escort this kind woman to our VIP consultation lounge in the back. Bring her a glass of sparkling water and a catalog. Then apologize for blocking her path.”
May you like
The guards swallowed hard, exchanging a terrified glance before nodding rapidly. “Right away, ma’am.”
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