Chapter 460

460
Word had reached Caitlin that a VERA store in Queen11 Shopping Center was quiet , unannounced visit to Investigate personally.
discriminating against customers, so she decided to make a
She hadn’t brought any executives or company staff along–doing so would only skew the experience. To see the real picture of how her brand was operating on the ground, she needed to go in as an ordinary shopper.
She and Wendy entered the VERA boutique on the fourth floor. As soon as they stepped in, what she’d heard proved true. A woman wearing a manager’s badge gave them a glance but didn’t say a word of greeting.
That alone was a red flag. Caitlin and Wendy walked in and tried to browse some clothes, only to be stopped.
“Excuse me,” said the manager curtly, “VERA is a high–end luxury brand. These clothes aren’t cheap. Be careful–if you damage anything, you probably can’t afford it.”
Caitlin narrowed her eyes at the woman’s name tag.
“You’re the store manager?”
Piper puffed out her chest and lifted her chin.
“That’s right. I’m the manager here.”
“Great. I’ll just take a look around.”
Caitlin gave her a pointed look and walked deeper into the store. Piper, thinking she was just another broke browser, didn’t bother wasting energy on her.
She also gave Wendy, who had walked in behind Caitlin, a quick once–over with barely disguised contempt.
Wendy was makeup–free, wearing jeans and a basic T–shirt–clearly not dressed like someone with money. Though she’d been here once before with Caitlin, who would remember someone that plain?
In Piper’s eyes, these two weren’t worth treating as customers. She turned and walked away.
Wendy followed Caitlin through the boutique, listening as the manager and another sales associate began mocking them from a short
distance away.
“Look at those two nobodies,” Piper scoffed. “You just know they’re not buying anything. I’m more worried they’ll dirty the clothes.”
Toni, another employee, chimed in.
“Should I go find a way to get them to leave?”
“Forget it. Let them look. It’s not like they can afford anything. Broke chicks like that just come to window shop.”
As she spoke, Piper picked up a compact and checked her reflection.
“You look amazing, boss , ” Toni flattered her “I heard you’re getting promoted to district manager next month. Congrats in advance!”
Piper beamed.
“It’s just a rumor–nothing official yet.”
19:46 Fri, 15 Aug (INE
460
“ Everyone’s talking about it . No way it’s wrong.”
Their smug conversation carried right to Caitlin’s ears. If she hadn’t come personally, she never would’ve known how rotten the customer service in her own store had become.
The last time she’d visited, she’d come as herself, and the staff had rolled out the red carpet. Now, disguised as a nobody, she could see the truth for herself—and it was eye–opening.
Wendy rolled her eyes hard. Those two were about to get what they deserved.
Just then, a newer employee walked in, dragging a large box full of new
merchandise.
“Toni, can you give me a hand?” asked Ulyana.
Toni didn’t move. Piper snapped at her instead.
“Ulyana, seriously? You can’t handle that much? Hurry it up–how long does it take to move inventory?”
With no help, Ulyana struggled to haul the box to the stockroom. When she returned to the floor and saw Caitlin and Wendy still browsing , she approached them warmly.
“If there’s anything you’d like to try on, please feel free to ask! I’d be happy to help , ” she said , smiling.
But Piper pulled her aside and hissed,
“Are you dense? You can’t tell what kind of people they are? What if they ruin the clothes? You want to let them try things on?”
“But… customers are supposed to come first–❞
“Shut up. I don’t need you teaching me my job.”
At that moment, Caitlin walked up to the counter.
“By the way, I heard VERA gives out complimentary handbags. Do you still have any? My friend and I would like to get one.”
“We-” Ulyana started to answer, but Piper cut her off.
“No. We’re all out.”
Toni chimed in,
“Sorry, we’ve run out of those. You might want to try another location.”
Before Caitlin could respond, the door opened again and two well–dressed women walked in.
Piper and Toni’s attitudes flipped instantly. Seeing the women in designer dresses and luxury handbags, they rushed forward to greet them like royalty.
“Welcome to VERA, ladies! What an honor to have you
Caitlin recognized one of them–Jillian, Nolan’s sister.
here!”
Jillian, now the lead designer at XEG, had to know that VERA was Caitlin’s personal brand. So what was she doing here , knowing full well who owned the place?
The tall woman in the red bodycon dress was unfamiliar to Caitlin, but Wendy recognized her immediately–Reese Nguyen , special assistant
at Benjamin’s company,
Rumor had it Reese came from a powerful background and had connections in both the corporate and underground worlds. She’d given Wendy a hard time more than once.
Jillian had come out of jealousy and suspicion. Zora had told her VERA was Caitlin’s private brand, and she found that hard to believe. She was here to confirm it herself, her eyes scanning the clothing with open disdain.
Piper shadowed her closely, fawning and fidgeting like a wannabe servant.
Reese spotted Wendy almost immediately. Her eyes narrowed as she approached.
“Wendy? What are you doing here?”
Wendy looked at her calmly.
“Shopping. Problem?”
“You? Don’t make me laugh. You don’t look like someone who can afford anything here. But I guess with your thick skin, maybe Benjamin throws you a bone now and then.
“Still, I’m warning you–stay away from him. Quit finding ways to show up around him.
“Someone like you? Benjamin would never want a fat, pathetic mess. Got it?”
Reese stared at her like she was dirt. She saw herself as superior–educated, well–connected, and beautiful. To chase Benjamin, she’d hidden her identity and used her connections to land a job in The Jones Family’s company.
But no matter what she did, Wendy always seemed to be around Benjamin. She had no idea how Wendy managed it, but she knew she wanted her gone.
Wendy’s blood boiled. The words “fat mess” hit her like a knife. The pain and rage surged through her chest.
She glared at Reese and snapped,
“Who the hell are you calling fat?”