A Snobbish Manager Humiliated Me Over a Broken Watch, Unaware of My Husband’s Legacy
Previously: When an arrogant watch store manager tried to throw a fragile elderly woman out for bringing in a "worthless" vintage timepiece, a kind young assistant uncovered a secret that changed everything.
The Confrontation Escalates
The revelation hung in the warm, scented air of the boutique like a sudden frost. Victoria’s face drained of color, but her shock quickly mutated into defensive rage. She couldn't accept that the fragile, poorly dressed woman she had just insulted was the matriarch of the entire watchmaking empire.
"That is absolute nonsense!" Victoria snapped, her voice rising. "The founder's widow has lived in absolute seclusion for a decade. You are nothing but an impostor trying to scam a free repair!"
She snatched the vintage photograph from Beatrice's hand, threatening to tear it. Owen immediately stepped between them, gently but firmly retrieving the precious photo and returning it to Beatrice.
"Don't touch her, Victoria," Owen said, his voice steady but filled with steel. "Look at the portrait. Look at her. It is her."
"You are fired, Owen!" Victoria screamed, her professional facade completely shattering. "Security! Remove this woman and this insubordinate boy immediately!" Two burly security guards approached, looking uncomfortable but bound by their duty to obey the manager. One of them reached for the handles of Beatrice's wheelchair.
"Please, don't do this," Beatrice said quietly, not for her own sake, but out of disappointment. This boutique had once been a place of passion and art, built by her late husband Arthur. Now, it was run by heartless tyrants. As the guard began to wheel her toward the exit, Beatrice calmly reached into her pocket and pulled out an old, gold-plated flip phone. She dialed a direct, private number that bypassed any corporate switchboard. It was the personal line of Thomas, the current CEO of the global brand and Arthur’s hand-picked successor.
The phone rang once. "Thomas, my dear," Beatrice said into the receiver. "I am at the flagship store. I believe we have a serious issue with how our guests are being treated." Victoria laughed mockingly. "Nice try, old lady. Do you really think we'll fall for that?"
”Do you really think we'll fall for that?"