?Chapter 1685:
The manager carried the gray card to the scanner, and the instant the result appeared on the screen, herposed fa?ade copsed.
It was an ultra-exclusive ess card — the highest rank imaginable, reserved only for the most exceptional patrons. Aside from thebel “Special Client,” the system locked her out of all identifying information tied to the cardholder.
A rush of adrenaline coursed through her. To encounter a Special Client in person and handle such a near-mythical card — this was the kind of moment that came once in a lifetime.
“So, is it fake?” the assistant manager asked carefully, unsettled by the manager’s prolonged silence.
Before she could answer, Violette, who had overheard, burst into smugughter. “What else could it be? I told you she was a fraud, but none of you listened! Do you believe me now? Call the police already!”
Irene mirrored her expression, fixing Christina with a venomous stare. “You’re going to rot behind bars for this! You actually dared to forge a fake card just to show off, and now karma’s caught up with you!”
Christina paid no attention to their taunts. She remainedposed and indifferent, lifting a brow as she turned her eyes toward the approaching manager.
“Go on,” she said calmly. “Tell them. Is the card counterfeit?”
Ignoring the triumphant looks from Violette and Irene, the manager walked straight to Christina and bowed deeply.
“You are our most distinguished guest,” she said reverently, returning the gray card with both hands. “There is absolutely no chance this card is fake. Please ept it, along with our sincerest apologies, ma’am.”
A wave of sharp gasps swept through the boutique. Every salesperson froze, eyes stretched wide in disbelief. To make the manager bow without hesitation — who in the world was this woman? The manager had never shown such deference, not even toward Violette. Did this cardholder wield power beyond imagination?
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The smiles drained from Violette’s and Irene’s faces, color vanishing as humiliation crashed down on them. What on earth was happening?
Christina epted the card with effortless grace and cast a cold, derisive nce at the two women. “Remove these two. They’re disrupting my shopping.”
“Immediately.” Without the slightest pause, the manager turned to Violette, her voice turning ice-cold. “You two — leave the premises at once.”
Violette sprang to her feet, livid. “How dare you throw me out!”
“Are you blind?” Irene barked. “Do you even know who you’re talking to? This is Violette Hewitt! Offend the Hewitt family and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”
The manager’s expression hardened. “I’m sorry, but you must leave. If you refuse, I will contact security.”
“Fine! Have it your way!” Violette snarled. “I’ve memorized your face. You think you can cross me? Just wait — I’ll bury you inints!”
Christina rose to her feet in one smooth motion, her presence suddenly sharp and electric. She turned to the manager, her voice steady. “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, she won’t file a singleint against you.”
“You worthless nobody! Who do you think you are?” Violette spat through clenched teeth. Being publicly humiliated by someone like Christina was intolerable.
“Oh? And yet you’re the one losing control over a nobody,” Christina said with a quietugh.
Violette’s fury exploded. She surged forward and raised her hand to strike Christina across the face — but her hand nevernded. Christina caught her wrist mid-air, her grip iron-hard, too strong for Violette to pull free or swing again.
“Let go of me!” Violette hissed, pain shooting through her wrist.
Seeing the situation spiral, Irene rushed forward screaming. “You vile bitch! Take your filthy hands off her! You’ve offended Violette Hewitt — your entire family will pay for this! Let go, you—”
Crack.
The sharp, echoing p silenced everything.
Everyone present froze, rooted in ce, too stunned to breathe.
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