?Chapter 157:


    At the mention of a “premium customer,” ude’s demeanor shifted in an instant. His tone grew sharper, louder. “They got into it with one of our VIPs?”


    “Mr. Palmer, the VIP we’re talking about is Miss Reed,” the senior sales assistant remarked, lowering her voice slightly and motioning toward Thea, who stood with her back turned. “The heiress of the Reed family.”


    That name hit like a jolt. ude nearly jumped to action, hastening toward Thea with an ingratiating smile. “Miss Reed, we’re truly honored by your visit. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you.”


    To ude, Thea wasn’t just another shopper—she was the crown jewel of the Reed Group, the chairman’s beloved daughter. Securing even the smallest nod of approval from her could shift the trajectory of his career in the best way. In retail and business alike, connections often mattered more than skills. A single powerful endorsement could open doors that effort alone never would. Even the most modest favor from a corporate titan could breathe life into a struggling enterprise. Even if his title remained nothing more than store manager, ude knew that Thea was thedder he needed to climb higher.


    Arms folded and gaze cool, Thea tilted her head, a smug smile ying at her lips. “Honestly, your store’s service? It’s mediocre at best.”


    “We’re deeply sorry you feel that way. If there’s anything specific you’d like corrected, we’ll make it right immediately.”


    ude hastily replied, his smile still in ce though a hint of strain lingered beneath it.


    Irritation shed in Thea’s eyes as she looked toward Valerie—the one who dared to speak on Christina’s behalf. The sight alone seemed to grate on her nerves. Without hesitation, she jabbed her finger toward Valerie. “Start by firing her,” she said, her voice dripping with arrogance.


    Shock rippled across Valerie’s face, her mouth parting slightly as tears began to gather. She turned to ude, her silent plea shimmering in her eyes. She didn’t expect a defense, but a single word of fairness wouldn’t have been too much to hope for.


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    But no sympathy came. ude gave her a frosty look and said without emotion, “You’re dismissed.”


    Justice, as Valerie had just learned, came with a cost she hadn’t expected to pay so swiftly. The image of her father hooked up to hospital machines raced through her mind. Panic gripping her chest, she lunged forward and clutched ude’s arm. “Please, Mr. Palmer, don’t let me go like this,” she cried out, her tears now falling freely. “I’m begging you. This job… I fought hard to get it. My father’s in the hospital, my mother’s too ill to work, and my family depends on what little I earn. Just one more chance—please.”


    Across the room, Katie rolled her eyes, her expression curled into a sneer. “Pathetic. So now you’re trying to make us pity you?”


    “Don’t waste your breath. Sympathy doesn’t pay sries,” ude said, t and final. The world was full of desperate people, but if he tried to rescue them all, how was he supposed to work and make a living?


    Valerie cast a nce at ude, but his face remained unmoved—cold, unreadable. Despair crept in as she realized appealing to him was useless. If anyone could sway this situation, it was Thea.


    Valerie shifted her gaze from ude to Thea. “Miss Reed, please… Don’t let Mr. Palmer fire me. If I lose this job, my whole family will be done for.”


    Tears welled in her eyes, desperation clinging to every word. She wasn’t just begging for herself—this job was her lifeline. Finding another job might be possible, but time wasn’t a luxury she had. The hospital bills were due soon. Rent wasn’t going to wait. And her savings? Barely enough tost the month. She’d only just started here, but she had managed to close a sale—her first small victory with themission. With effort, she could’ve earned even a livable sry if she weren’t dismissed now.


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