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As Alice was about to step away, a cold, irritated voice rang out from behind her. "Stop right there."
Alice paused, her daughter at her side, and turned slowly to face the rude sales assistant who had harassed her earlier. The assistant's face was twisted in disdain, and Alice waited in silence, her gaze frosty and unflinching.
"You need to leave the shopping mall immediately, or we'll have to call security," the assistant said smugly.
Alice raised an eyebrow. "On what grounds?"
The assistant sneered, clearly relishing the moment. "You violated store policy by causing a scene and engaging in physical contact with distinguished guests. And frankly, you don't even look like someone who can afford to shop here."
Sherlin and John chimed in with taunting voices. Sherlin's tone dripped with mockery. "Honestly, Alice, some of us belong here. If you can't handle that, maybe you should take your... leave."
Alice's gaze turned icier as she addressed the assistant. "I want to speak with the manager, then."
The assistant folded her arms, smirking. "The manager doesn't have time for people like you. Besides, he's notoriously arrogant and doesn't entertain just anyone."
Alice met the assistant's gaze with chilling calm. "Give me two minutes. I'll call the manager myself, and if he doesn't come, I'll leave on my own."
The assistant rolled her eyes, sneering. "Well, go ahead. Embarrass yourself—we'd all love to watch." She said it tauntingly, clearly amused.
Ignoring her, Alice simply picked up her phone and dialed a number. After just two rings, the call connected.
"It's me," she said.
"Hahaha, sister! You actually remembered me today. I must be blessed by the Buddha! What can I do for you?" A slightly mature voice, etched with respect, came through the other end.
"I'm at your shopping mall in the fashion section. Come over quickly."
"Alright, I'll be there immediately."
With that, Alice hung up. The sales assistant, overhearing the tone of respect on the other end, scoffed slightly, assuming Alice had merely called someone to put on a show. Sherlin and John exchanged skeptical glances, watching in disbelief.
Two minutes passed, and the assistant grew increasingly smug. "Security, please come and throw this lady out—"
Before she could finish, a new voice interrupted her. It belonged to a man in his early twenties, one she recognized as her manager.
"And who are you throwing out?"
All heads turned as the young manager strode into the room, his gaze sweeping over the scene. The assistant looked at her boss in disbelief, unwilling to admit that this woman had actually called him over. Quickly regaining her composure, she opened her mouth to explain.
"Sir, this lady—"
But the manager completely ignored her, heading straight toward Alice, his pace quickening, and his expression shifting into a childlike smile, as if he had just seen his savior.
Everyone watched, astonished. The notoriously arrogant manager, known for offending even big shots, now approached Alice with visible reverence, shocking everyone, especially the assistant, who stood gaping.
The manager offered a slight bow. "Sister—I mean, Savior, I'm sorry for the delay. I was tied up with another matter, or I would have come sooner." He spoke with an uncharacteristic humility and childlike tone that left the entire room stunned.
Onlookers who had gathered around stared, dumbfounded, as the manager continued to regard Alice with utmost respect. Whispers and curious glances passed between them, each person trying to understand why he treated her with such deference.
The manager looked at Alice, genuine concern in his expression, his face beaming like that of a child who had been given candy. "Savior, what happened here?"
Alice glanced around, her gaze cold, before responding in an even tone, "It seems your shopping mall now employs people who judge by appearances and treat guests with disrespect."
The manager, known as Jim, immediately pieced the situation together. His eyes hardened as they fell upon the sales assistant, who had been insisting on throwing Alice out just moments earlier. Without hesitation, he turned to her. "You. Go to HR, collect your final paycheck for the hours you've worked this month, and leave. You're finished here."
The assistant's face paled. She stammered, then pleaded desperately, "Please, sir, it was a misunderstanding! I... I can apologize! Ms. Alice, I'm so sorry—"
But Alice's expression remained icy and unmoved. Her voice was as sharp as ice. "Perhaps if you'd spent more time treating people with decency, you wouldn't be in this situation. Don't waste my time with your apologies."
Crushed, the assistant's pleading expression twisted into one of anger, her humiliation spilling over as she glared at Alice with barely contained fury. Without another word, she stormed out, her pride shattered.
Meanwhile, Sherlin and John watched in amazement, struggling to comprehend how Alice had managed to turn the situation to her favor. Their astonishment grew as Alice addressed the manager with a cool command. "I'd like to request that these two people"—she pointed at Sherlin and John—"be blacklisted from this shopping mall."
Sherlin's jaw dropped. "You can't do that! We're distinguished guests here! This is absurd!"
John chimed in, his voice laced with indignation. "This is ridiculous. You have no authority to ban us."
But the manager merely gave a dismissive wave. "Your status means nothing here if you cannot act with basic courtesy. Security, please ensure these two are escorted out and added to the blacklist, effective immediately."
Sherlin and John's faces flushed with anger, but before they could protest further, two security guards appeared and began guiding them toward the exit.
Ignoring the commotion, Alice turned back to the manager and handed him a sleek black membership card. The crowd gasped softly; the black card was rare, owned only by three top patrons who belonged to the highest echelon of the Pinnacle Society.
"I'd prefer to shop in the VIP private section," Alice said calmly, her expression unreadable.
Jim nodded with deep respect and a broad smile, not even needing the card as proof of her status. "Of course, Sis. I was going to take you there already. Allow me to personally escort you to the private section."
As they began walking, Jim's expression softened slightly. He glanced at her with gratitude. "I'll never forget what you did for me, Sis, saving my life that night when those men came after me. This is the least I can do."
Alice had once saved Jim abroad when he was being pursued by assassins. Seeing him as a young, pretty boy in danger, Alice couldn't let him die and easily fought off the attackers. Jim, watching her fend off dozens of assassins with ease, had admired her from that moment on and had since regarded her as his savior.
Alice nodded faintly, acknowledging his words, though her cold demeanor remained as she stepped with her daughter into the exclusive VIP section, leaving the stunned onlookers behind.
Here's a refined version of your scene:
---
The VIP section of the shopping center exuded an aura of opulence and exclusivity, nestled in a dim, secluded corner where the quiet hum of low voices mingled with the occasional clink of glasses. Jermin leaned back against the dark leather of his booth, a thin line of smoke curling from his cigarette. He carried an air of ruthless elegance and arrogance, his cold, calculative gaze fixed on the scene unfolding outside.
He'd been watching Alice hold her ground with her signature poise, facing down the confrontation in the shopping mall. His gaze narrowed, taking in every subtle detail of her composure.
Across from him, Lucas observed with a slight smile. "She's quite impressive, don't you think? The woman knows how to handle herself."
Jermin exhaled, flicking ash from his cigarette with an expression of disdain. "Don't let a pretty face fool you, Lucas," he said coolly. "A woman like her learns those tricks only when she's had to rely on men to claw her way up."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "I'm not so sure. She brushed me off at the gala—didn't seem like the kind who clings to a man's arm. In fact, she felt… different."
Jermin didn't respond, though his thoughts drifted back to the moment he'd noticed her. One question lingered: How had she gained access to the VIP section? The black membership card she held was exceedingly rare, reserved for only three top patrons of the Pinnacle Network. He was one of those members, but the identities of the others were as secretive as the network itself.
Frowning, he dismissed the thought, assuming she must have acquired the card through some high-ranking connection—perhaps a man willing to grant her access in exchange for her attention. The idea hardened his gaze, yet as he continued watching her, a strange unease settled at the back of his mind.
Just then, Alice entered the VIP section, escorted by the manager. Her gaze scanned the area before landing, briefly, on Jermin's corner. She quickly looked away, her expression unreadable. A quiet thought crossed her mind: why did this man always seem to be wherever she went? She noted to herself that avoiding any interaction with someone as dangerous as him would be wise.
Alice took a seat, and a group of attendants promptly began presenting her with various high-end dresses and accessories. She only selected a few items with a discerning eye, her presence commanding respect as she made her choices. After what seemed like an eternity, she was finally finished. Alice gave her daughter a reassuring pat and exchanged quiet words with the manager, who gestured towards another area requiring her attention.
Glancing down, Alice spoke to Emily in a gentle but firm tone. "Stay here for a moment, alright? I'll be back soon."
With her mother momentarily occupied, young Emily's eyes drifted around the VIP section until they settled on Jermin. Gathering her courage, she approached him quietly, her small voice breaking the stillness as she looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes.
"Daddy," she whispered, a note of pain and longing in her tone. "Why did you leave Mommy? Do you know how hard it's been for her… for us?"
For a brief moment, Jermin's heart faltered at the sound of her voice, an unexplainable familiarity stirring within him. His gaze softened as he looked at the little girl, her innocent eyes and gentle voice pulling at something within him. But then, cold logic returned, sharpening his thoughts. This must be one of her mother's schemes, he concluded. The woman had likely sent her daughter to gain his sympathy.
His expression hardened, and his tone became icy. "I am not your father," he said, his voice low and cutting. "Go find whoever your real father is, because it's certainly not me"
Emily's eyes we're filled with tears, her small frame trembling as she tried to stifle a sob, the sting of Jermin's harsh words hitting her tender heart. Her lower lip quivered, and her cheeks glistened as tears slipped down.
At that moment, Alice returned, instantly noticing her daughter's absence from where she had left her. Her gaze swept over the tables of the VIP section, sharp and searching, until it landed on Emily's tear-streaked face beside Jermin. Her expression hardened, and she strode towards them with purpose.
Alice approached, wrapping a protective arm around her daughter's shoulders. "Don't cry, sweetheart," she murmured softly, brushing a tear from Emily's cheek. "Go sit over there, alright? I'll be with you soon."
Emily nodded, casting one last glance at Jermin before retreating to a seat at the far end of the VIP section.
Alice turned back to Jermin, her expression hardening as she took a deliberate step forward. "What kind of man is ruthless enough to make a child cry?" she demanded coldly, her voice as icy as her gaze. "Are you really so heartless that even a little girl deserves your cruelty?"
Jermin's jaw clenched, his eyes blazing with irritation as he stood, closing the distance between them. His voice dropped low, simmering with anger. "I see what you're doing. Arranging these 'coincidental' encounters, making sure our paths cross everywhere—whatever game this is, it won't work on me," he hissed, a sneer tugging at his lips. "Whatever you're hoping to gain, forget it. I wouldn't waste a second on a woman like you."
Alice's eyes flashed with defiance, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You think I'm interested in you? If anyone's been chasing, it's you. You always start these conversations, even when I clearly avoid you."
Jermin's face froze, her words digging at his pride. He opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off, her tone sharp and unwavering.
"Why would I be interested in someone like you?" she continued, her voice disdainful. "You act like every woman's falling at your feet, but newsflash—" she smirked, giving him a dismissive glance, "you're not my type, not even close. Maybe take a look in the mirror and stop assuming everyone wants you. You're the only one here who seems obsessed. Stop being narcissistic."
Without another word, Alice turned on her heel, her movements confident and unapologetic as she walked away, leaving Jermin standing there, stunned and seething. His fists clenched, his gaze fixed on her retreating figure as she guided her daughter out of the VIP section. Her final words rang in his mind, stirring a quiet fury within him—a chaotic blend of anger and confusion as he struggled to process what she'd just said.
-----
Meanwhile, back at the Wilson villa, Sherlin sat in the ornate living room, recounting her version of the day's events to her family, her expression carefully distressed. Her voice was soft, tinged with a hint of tears, as she painted herself as the victim. "I only asked Alice to leave John," she explained, sniffling delicately, "because I love him. But she… she attacked me. In public, no less, and slapped me repeatedly." She touched her face, her fingers trembling as she pointed to an imagined mark.
Her father, Williston, looked visibly angered, his face darkening at her story. He had always seen Sherlin as his precious daughter, and the thought of her being mistreated made his temper flare. Her mother, feigning concern, placed a gentle hand on his arm, pretending to calm him while her expression remained steely.
"Calm down, dear," she murmured, with a softness that masked her underlying resentment. "I'm sure Alice didn't mean it… though it does sound like she's causing problems."
Williston's face twisted with rage. "How dare she!" he growled, his face reddening. "I've had enough of her disrespect. She thinks she can do whatever she pleases without consequence. It's time she learned who's in control."
He grabbed his phone, his hands shaking with anger as he dialed Alice's number. As soon as she picked up, he didn't wait for any greeting.
"Come to the villa now," he barked, his voice dripping with authority. "You're going to agree to a divorce from John, or there will be consequences."
On the other end, Alice's tone was calm, almost dismissive, as though she found his threats amusing. "Oh, I'll come," she replied coolly, not the least bit intimidated. "We do have some things to settle, after all. There's something in that house that belongs to me."
Williston was momentarily taken aback by her indifferent response, but before he could answer, she hung up, leaving him with his rage simmering in silence..
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