When Grant’s father died and left him a minority stake in Belle & Vale, Elaine decided the entire company was practically hers.
That morning, she walked in wearing a cream suit and carrying a folder labeled new management structure.
Grant followed behind her with two cousins.
And a locksmith.
A locksmith.
Inside my store.
Elaine pointed toward my assistant. “You. Collect her badge.”
My assistant looked at me in panic.
I shook my head once.
Elaine slapped the folder onto the counter. “I have already informed staff that effective today, I am acting director. My son has authorized it. You may gather your things after we audit your office.”
“Audit?” I asked.
Grant stepped closer. “Don’t make this ugly, Claire. We know about the missing vendor credits.”
There it was.
The setup.
Two weeks earlier, accounting had flagged irregular refunds moving through Grant’s private vendor contacts.
I had reported them directly to corporate compliance.
Grant must have discovered that.
So he brought his mother in first, hoping to make me look guilty before the real investigation reached him.
I picked up my phone.
Elaine laughed. “Yes, call security. Tell them your mother-in-law hurt your feelings.”
I dialed the CEO.
When he answered, I said, “Mr. Vale, Elaine is here at the flagship. She has a surprise for you.”
Then I switched him to speaker.
The CEO’s voice filled the boutique.
“Elaine,” Richard Vale said, “please explain why you are inside my flagship pretending to have authority.”
Elaine’s face twitched. “Richard, darling, Grant and I are protecting the family business.”
Grant stopped smiling.
Richard wasn’t merely the CEO.
He was Grant’s uncle—the same man Elaine constantly called weak for refusing to hand her son a larger role.
Richard said, “Claire, is the locksmith still present?”
The locksmith took a step backward.
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