Effie arched an eyebrow and said, "Go ahead, call the police if you want. Just make sure you take your dog with you when you leave."


    "You-!"


    Just then, Vinson Elliott walked over.


    Suzan immediately turned to him. "Perfect timing. This woman attacked me on purpose. Help me call the police."


    Vinson barely spared her a nce, making it clear he didn''t take her seriously at all. "Do you have any proof?" he asked coolly. "Call the cops, then."


    Suzan jabbed her finger toward a security camera nearby. "Isn''t there a camera right there? Everything was recorded."


    Vinson''s lips curled into a faint, mocking smile. "That would be the case, except you''re out of luck. Today, the security system''s down. The repairman said they''re waiting on a part-it won''t be fixed until tomorrow at the earliest."


    "You-!"


    He raised his brows in feigned innocence. "What about me? If you don''t believe me, by all means, call the police and have them check for themselves. I''ve got nothing to hide."


    Vinson met her re without a hint of embarrassment or anxiety. He was lying through his teeth, but who would ever know besides him?


    Suzan stared at Vinson, grinding her teeth. "Do you know who my uncle is?" He replied without missing a beat, "Your mother''s brother?"


    Whatever retort Suzan had prepared got stuck in her throat. She tried to speak, but Vinson''s deadpan answer left her speechless.


    "Vinson Elliott, my uncle is Lionel-Lionel ckmire! The richest man in the city, and one of the world''s most famous billionaires!" Suzan shot him a taunting look, expecting him to back down.


    Vinson pressed a hand dramatically to his chest. "Oh, I''m just terrified. So your uncle''s Lionel. And? I haven''t broken anyws. If he wants toe arrest me himself, be my guest."


    Suzan had been sure dropping her uncle''s name would make Vinson hesitate.


    But Vinson didn''t even flinch.


    He looked at


    ther


    and said, "Suzan,


    you''re not a kid anymore. Isn''t it time to grow up? You can''t go around


    waving your uncle''s name everyo


    time you want your way. Honestly, is that all you''ve got going for


    Love


    you your uncle?"


    Suzan''s face turned red, then pale, then red again. Vinson had struck a nerve.


    Mitchell leaned in and said quietly, "Let''s go."


    What was the point in staying and making an even bigger scene?


    Suzan clenched her jaw so hard her mrs nearly cracked as she turned to leave. In her heart, she swore that one day, she''d make all of them pay for this humiliation.


    Effie nced at Vinson and said, "Thanks."


    Vinson shot her a yful wink. "What for? I didn''t do anything to help you."


    Realizing he was just teasing, Effieughed. "Fine, I''ll buy you dinner next time."


    "Deal," Vinson said cheerfully.


    Vinson had appeared unexpectedly and disappeared just as fast. In no time, he was gone.


    Effie turned to the group of colleagues gathered nearby. After all their rubbernecking, it was time to get back to work.


    One look from Effie sent a jolt of nerves through them. Was she about to lose her temper?


    But instead, Effie said, "It''s gettingte. Our clients will be here soon. Let''s get inside."


    Relieved she wasn''t angry, everyone let out a silent sigh.


    With Effie leading the way at the dinner meeting, the conversation with the clients went smoothly Ideas flowed easily, and soon enough, the design direction was set with everyone''s enthusiastic input.