Chapter 280

Chapter 280

Staff from neighboring stores couldn't resist stepping outside to witness the unfolding spectacle.

Katherine attended to each customer with remarkable efficiency and attention to detail. "I never realized this mall had such a hidden gem—and the restrooms are so conveniently located! I usually get completely turned around in malls and spend ages just trying to find a bathroom," praised a newly seated client.

The other waiting customers nodded in enthusiastic agreement, which soon led to a chorus of complaints about Wilson Corporation's mall shortcomings.

"Everything else is wonderful, and the service is excellent, but why doesn't this mall have any cafés or restaurants? Sometimes you just want to sit down for a drink, and there's nowhere to go," one customer lamented.

"Exactly! I've already finished the drink I brought from outside, and now I'm stuck in this line. I don't want to lose my spot to go buy something, and if I order delivery, this mall makes you pick it up at the entrance!" another chimed in with exasperation.

Katherine kept a close eye on everything happening around her. After finishing up with her client—helping her choose the perfect colors—she grabbed some bottled water and soft drinks from the little fridge behind the counter. With a warm smile, she handed them out to the people waiting, making sure everyone felt taken care of.

Once everyone had been served, she bowed apologetically. "I'm terribly sorry for the inconvenience. I'll be expanding our beverage selection soon, and during quieter moments, I'll be happy to prepare custom drinks or cocktails for everyone."

It didn't take long for social media to light up with rave reviews about Katherine's boutique. The line outside grew longer by the hour, but the young women waiting were unfailingly polite. They browsed the racks on their own, and once they'd spent enough to qualify, they made their way over for a personalized color consultation.

Suddenly, the harsh screech of a megaphone shattered the peaceful atmosphere outside.

The employee Edward had bitten stormed out, brandishing a bullhorn. She started shouting, her voice sharp with anger: "Ladies, don't be fooled! This woman is a shameless homewrecker who's done all sorts of despicable things! Just days ago, her son attacked me—and now she's here, working off her debt!”

She glared at the crowd and went on, "We welcome shoppers here, but watch your wallets—don't let someone like her make money off you! And if you're in a relationship, be careful—she won't hesitate to steal your man!”

The cacophonous blend of amplified voice and malicious accusations filled the air. Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and the line that had nearly stretched to the lower level suddenly shortened by half.

"Is this actually true? If so, what you're doing is completely unethical!" the girl in the consultation chair asked with growing suspicion.

"Working off debt? How can we trust that our purchases will be honored in the future?"

Katherine initially ignored the commotion entirely, allowing the woman to rant outside. But as the accusations grew increasingly vicious and outrageous, she set down her tools, walked purposefully through the crowd, snatched the megaphone from the woman's hands, and smashed it against the ground until it shattered into pieces.

"Stop disrupting my customers. You're being incredibly disruptive, and these fabrications are pointless," Katherine stated with quiet authority.

The woman, apparently caught off guard by Katherine's direct confrontation, stumbled backward dramatically and began shrieking, "Look! She's about to attack me again! Are you comfortable shopping at a store run by someone this violent?"

"A troublemaker like you deserves exactly what's coming," came a voice as a flash of brilliant red cut through the crowd's field of vision.

Flame strode forward in her heels and pulled Katherine aside. Their eyes met briefly, and Katherine wisely refrained from acknowledging their acquaintance.

"She's absolutely stunning—let me search online, she must be some kind of celebrity," the nearby girls whispered, their attention completely captured by Flame's striking red hair.

Katherine remembered experiencing the exact same mesmerizing effect during her first encounter with Flame.

The troublemaker swallowed nervously, her confidence visibly shaken. Corporate headquarters had been buzzing with news that the international parent company would be sending inspectors for surprise audits.

This company provided Wilson Corporation with core technology—crossing them could mean not only losing her job, but potentially bringing down the entire Wilson Corporation empire.

"I was just telling the truth. Her son bit me without any apology, and when they were in our store, he touched merchandise without buying anything. Surely that behavior was inappropriate?" she stammered, struggling to her feet.

Flame smoothed her fiery red hair with calculated precision. "Is this why you abandoned your post? I spent considerable time searching for you upstairs. Didn't Ms. Brown conduct preliminary inspections to establish proper protocols?"

"If you're not committed to your position, submit your resignation immediately. Now I understand why Wilson Corporation, despite holding monopoly rights, continues requiring subsidies to cover losses in other sectors—it's infested with parasites like you!"

Katherine seized the moment perfectly. "When I entered that store to buy clothes for my children, my son's hands were clean—he barely touched a garment before being subjected to aggressive sales tactics. When we declined their high-pressure approach, they forcibly ejected us. My son, desperate to protect his sister and mother, bit her in self-defense."

"I never refused to pay compensation. Instead, I'm working here to settle the debt. If that's somehow wrong, I'm at a complete loss for words." Katherine's expression conveyed genuine sincerity and wounded dignity.

Flame snorted dismissively. "Security footage would clarify everything—lies are easily exposed. Besides, someone working to pay off debt has no incentive to fabricate stories."

This exchange successfully retained the customers who had been preparing to leave. Katherine turned to address the waiting crowd with a graceful bow. "I'm closing early today. I sincerely apologize to everyone who waited in line. The day after tomorrow, I'll host a complimentary service event and improve our facilities. For now, please feel free to explore the neighboring shopping centers."

Recognizing Katherine's genuine remorse and difficult circumstances, the departing customers offered words of encouragement before leaving. The online recommendations multiplied exponentially following this incident.

"You—return to your station immediately," Flame commanded, pointing at the megaphone-wielding woman before turning to Katherine with professional authority. "You—conference room, now. Closing early was the right decision. I'll coordinate with Ms. Brown."

Katherine quickly gathered her belongings and followed Flame, their departure watched by the troublemaker who stomped her feet in frustration before pulling out her phone.

"Ms. Brown, I did exactly what you requested, but some red-haired woman appeared out of nowhere. How did the inspection reach this location?" she whined into the phone.

"You incompetent fool! You can't handle the simplest task! I explicitly warned you about corporate sending representatives—the redhead is their technical department manager! Find a way to salvage this situation immediately, or you're finished!" Stella's voice thundered through the device.

Inside the conference room, Katherine immediately shed her submissive demeanor as Flame's stern facade also dissolved. Settling onto the plush sofa, Flame produced two lollipops from her pocket, popping one into her mouth before offering the other to Katherine.

Flame spoke up, "I originally planned an undercover investigation. After our previous encounter when you mentioned your situation, I realized the problems here were so blatant that covert observation was unnecessary—so I switched to a direct audit approach."

She added, "When you told me your father founded Wilson Corporation, seeing you here confirmed my suspicion that you were infiltrating the organization deliberately. I simply decided to play along with your strategy."

Katherine nodded, her smile radiant as she accepted the lollipop and settled beside Flame. Their contrasting hair—silken black intertwining with vibrant red—created a striking tableau of two distinct but complementary beauties caught in a moment of conspiratorial intimacy. "So, will you help me?"