Chapter 169
Thinking the shop assistant might not know Sabrina's background, she quickly whispered a warning, "Miss, just let it go to avoid trouble."
The assistant then glanced at Sabrina and said, "She's a newly appointed director at the Forbes Group. Mr. Forbes values her highly, so she's not someone you can afford to offend."
"Really?"
Charlotte smiled at the well-meaning assistant, then slowly turned and raised her eyebrows at the crowd.
"I had no idea the Forbes Group had such a rule."
"Whatever Ms. Spencer takes a liking to, whether she buys it or not, must be reserved for her. If that's the case, you might as well take everything she's interested in off the shelves and send it to her house for safekeeping."
"So why keep displaying them here and misleading other customers?"
"Does the Forbes Group enjoy making a mockery of its customers?"
"I'm truly confused. Other businesses serve their customers, but the Forbes Group ignores them, scolds them at will, and even questions where their money comes from."
"Well, I've learned something today—this is how the mighty Forbes Group does business."
"Oh! Everyone, be sure to tell your friends and family that when shopping at Forbes Group stores, they should stay humble and always ask first—has Ms. Spencer taken a liking to this item? If she has, don't buy it."
"Otherwise, if you upset Ms. Spencer, you might not be able to survive in River City."
Charlotte's words were carefully crafted, instantly turning Sabrina and her assistant against everyone else.
Whether they were customers or store employees, everyone glared at the two with hostile expressions.
Those who shopped at such places were naturally wealthy and influential, and their expressions had turned noticeably grim.
"The Forbes Group has grown well over the past few years, but it's far from dominating the market. I didn't expect them to become so arrogant so quickly. In a few more years, will we have to beg them just to sell us anything?"
"It seems Alexander is still too young to stay composed."
"Well, what can we do when they're so rich and powerful? We can only put up with it."
"River City doesn't only have the Forbes Group's jewelry stores—there's also the Collins Group. The two have been rivals for years. Since the Forbes Group doesn't value us as customers, let's take our business to the Collins Group instead."
"Right, let's all shop at the Collins Group. I don't want something I like to be snatched away by someone else."
"I never expected Alexander and his people to be like this! Oh no, my dad has a meeting scheduled with the Forbes Group tomorrow to discuss a partnership. I need to hurry back and tell him to cancel it."
For a moment, everyone spoke at once, their voices filled with dissatisfaction toward the Forbes Group.
Sabrina and Sarah exchanged glances, panic flashing across their eyes.
She had only wanted to publicly humiliate Charlotte—how had things suddenly turned around so completely? Everyone was on Charlotte's side now.
Sabrina quickly resorted to her usual trick, biting her lip as if on the verge of tears. "Everyone has misunderstood—that's not what we meant—"
But her voice was too weak and was quickly drowned out by the crowd's criticism of the Forbes Group.
At that moment, Charlotte smiled sweetly at the pale-faced Sabrina and Sarah. "Ms. Spencer, it seems that when the Forbes Group's stock price drops tomorrow, you two will have made quite a contribution."
Sabrina and Sarah's expressions changed drastically.
Just as the store descended into chaos, a tall, slender figure stepped through the door.
Dressed in a suit, the man exuded an intimidating presence. The moment he appeared, he drew everyone's attention.
The commotion in the store instantly subsided.
The man lifted his gaze slightly and coolly surveyed the scene. "What's going on here?"
Seeing him, Sabrina's eyes flashed with delight. "Alexander, didn't you say you were busy? Why did you come after all?"
A hint of hesitation flashed in Alexander's eyes, but his voice remained calm. "I just finished meeting with a client and happened to pass by, so I came in to take a look."
Behind Alexander, his assistant quickly exchanged a glance with the store manager.
Earlier, noticing the situation spiraling out of control, the manager had secretly called headquarters.
Upon hearing that the incident involved Sabrina, headquarters didn't dare delay and immediately contacted the CEO's assistant.
At that moment, seeing the situation, Sarah straightened up. "Mr. Forbes, it's a good thing you came, or Ms. Spencer would have been bullied."
She pointed at Charlotte, eager to complain. "It's her!"
"Ms. Spencer had clearly chosen a bracelet, but she suddenly barged in and insisted on taking it! When she failed, she got angry and spread rumors that the Forbes Group bullies people, even inciting everyone not to shop here!"
By now, some customers had already recognized Alexander.
Even those who had never seen him realized from Sarah's words that this intimidating man was the legendary CEO of the Forbes Group—Alexander himself!
Fear flickered in everyone's eyes.
Some people secretly worried for Charlotte. She had offended the Forbes Group—she was done for.
Seeing this, a smug expression crept onto Sarah's face.
Meanwhile, when no one was looking, Sabrina quietly curled her lips into a faint smile.
'Charlotte, since you insist on opposing me, you'd better be prepared to face Alexander's wrath,' she thought.
Sure enough, before Charlotte could defend herself, Alexander's dark, cold gaze had already settled on her. "Charlotte, give the bracelet back to Sabrina."
Alexander's words carried their usual sharp implication.
Charlotte wasn't angry. Her voice was light and steady. "Alexander, shouldn't you ask a few more people before making a decision?"
Alexander's expression turned cold and hard. "Can't I judge something this simple for myself? Sabrina is gentle by nature and never quarrels with others. But you—you've always singled her out and bullied her. Besides, she clearly entered the store first, and you came in later. How could she have taken something you had your eye on?"
Jenna, upset, was about to step forward and argue, but Charlotte stopped her.
She looked at Alexander's cold expression, then at Sabrina's gloating face, and suddenly smiled. "Fine, since Mr. Forbes says so, I'll let Ms. Spencer have the bracelet."
Seeing this, the other people in the store were confused. It seemed that this beautiful woman actually knew Alexander—what was going on?
Seeing that Charlotte was willing to give up the bracelet, Alexander's expression finally softened slightly, and he became more certain of his earlier assumption.
Charlotte had deliberately flirted with Jordan in front of Calvin because she knew Calvin had a hot temper and couldn't keep things to himself—he would definitely tell Alexander, making him jealous.
As for her extravagant shopping over the past two days under the title of Mrs. Forbes, the purpose was similar—to get his attention, make him give in and coax her, and prompt him to cancel the divorce agreement.
But did Charlotte realize that this would make him very unhappy?
So, whether she had taken the bracelet or not, she needed to be taught a lesson.
Meanwhile, Charlotte's gaze swept lightly over Sabrina and the others one by one, finally settling on a specific spot.