Isadora, it seemed, was no fool.


    On the contrary, she understood business operations better than most of them.


    Valery, on the other hand, had just been called out by Isadora in front of everyone. Her face flushed an ugly shade of purple, the kind that onlyes from stifled humiliation.


    Valery wasn''t just some ordinary employee-she was a senior figure, one of the founding members of the Vaughan Group. Isadora, who hadn''t even been in the business as long as Valery had been alive, actually had the nerve to question herpetence.


    Valery''s brows knit together, her voice tight with anger.


    "Ms. Vaughan, what makes you so sure we haven''t made an effort? If every store performed this poorly and we bailed them out each time, do you think the mall would survive? Why don''t you stick to shuffling papers in your office and leave the on-the-ground management to those of us who''ve been around a while?"


    Her words were a not-so-subtle dig, implying that Isadora was just an armchair executive with no real experience, and she ought to stop meddling.


    Isadora gave a cold, dismissiveugh, her gaze sweeping over Valery with icy indifference.


    "Fine," she replied. "In that case, Director Valery, please prepare a detailed spreadsheet of this year''s promotional activities and exactly which stores received support. I expect it on my desk by tomorrow morning."


    Now it was Valery''s turn to be speechless.


    Because the truth was, M Boutique hadn''t been included in any of the mall''s events this year. In fact, it hadn''t been for several years running. All the coveted slots for special promotions had gone to brands who''d slipped her a little something extra under the table.


    If Isadora saw that report, she''d immediately realize how unfairly resources had been distributed. It was obvious-Isadora was targeting her, and she wasn''t even the head of the Vaughan Group yet. If she ever took over for real, what would happen to the old guard like Valery?


    Valery clenched her jaw. She couldn''t let Isadora be the new master of the Vaughan Group. No matter what.


    After that, Isadora didn''t spare her another nce. She headed off with the other managers to continue their walk-through of the next section of the mall.


    The supervisors resumed their reports, only this time, they were twice as alert and careful as before. No one dared try to gloss things over after seeing how sharp Isadora could be.


    Director Brown stepped forward. "Ms. Vaughan, just ahead is Lorien Footwear. It''s a luxury brand from Northmarch; all their shoes are custom-designed and have be a favorite among the city''s socialites. They''re one of the best performing stores in the mall this year."


    Isadora took the report, flipping through it as she walked, eyes skimming the pages.


    Suddenly, a sharp,manding female voice rang out from one of the stores. "Isadora! Get in here, now!"


    Isadora looked up. An elderly woman stood framed in the boutique''s entrance, dressed in a tailored rose-colored velvet dress,rge floral patterns swirling across the fabric. On her arm hung an Hermès handbag. She exuded an aura of wealth and authority; even her posture radiated pride.


    This was none other than Magnus''s mother-Faustina.


    Everyone exchanged anxious nces. The way she called out sounded less like a greeting, and more like a mistress summoning her maid.


    Isadora hesitated briefly; her first instinct was to ignore Faustina. But knowing the woman''s temperament, and wanting to avoid a scene, she handed the report to J.


    "Let''s call it a day for now," Isadora said to the group. "Organize all the operational data for your stores and have it on my desk tomorrow morning."


    She made her way toward Faustina, her pace unhurried, her tone nonchnt, as if she couldn''t care less about the older woman''s authority.


    "Is there something you need?"


    Faustina didn''t appreciate Isadora''s casual attitude or herck of respect.


    Before Faustina could reply, another voice chimed in-Scales''s mother, always quick to stir the pot.


    "Well, look who it is! Isn''t Isadora just the most thoughtful daughter-inw? She knew you had a custom pair of shoes ready, Faustina, and came here early just to wait for you."