Chapter 394

The sales associate couldn't hold back her frustration. "Why?" she demanded.

The store manager hesitated, stuttering, "Fire her? I-I don't have that authority."

Truth was, the associate was family. Letting her go would cause unnecessary drama at home, especially with her mother-in-law's inevitable interference.

"You don't?" Adrian Blackwood's voice cut through the tension as he strode in, flanked by a distinguished middle-aged man.

Dressed in an immaculate charcoal suit, the newcomer carried himself with the confidence of wealth and power. He approached Adrian respectfully, extending a business card. "Mr. Blackwood, I'm the CEO of Sterling & Co, overseeing operations here."

"Terminate her employment," Adrian interrupted sharply, gesturing toward the offending saleswoman.

The CEO turned to the associate. "You've violated our customer service standards. Report to HR immediately to process your termination."

The woman shot a pleading look at her manager, who deliberately looked away. Having never encountered corporate leadership in her three years there, the associate now wished the ground would swallow her whole.

As she opened her mouth to protest, two broad-shouldered security guards materialized. "Let's make this civil, miss," one warned, making it clear they'd remove her physically if necessary.

Defeated, she allowed herself to be escorted out.

Audrey Winslow whirled on Adrian. "See what you've caused!"

"Enough, Audrey," Dominic Sinclair tried to intervene, placing a hand on her arm.

She shook him off. "No! He's the reason Vivian endures this humiliation. Keeping their marriage secret means no one recognizes her as Mrs. Blackwood."

"And when he's not around to witness it?" Dominic swallowed hard.

No one but Vivian would dare speak to Adrian this way. Yet here stood Audrey, with no marital protection - Adrian's reaction remained unpredictable.

Adrian paused, anger flashing across his features before he conceded, "You're right. Vivian and I will have a proper wedding."

Across town, Serena Whitmore's fingers went slack. Her phone clattered to the floor, abruptly ending the call.

"Wait!" Audrey's commanding voice froze everyone in their tracks.

Security guards and remaining staff turned in unison, confusion written across their faces.

Audrey's manicured finger pointed unerringly to a shadowy corner. "And her!"

Cowering behind a display stood the other sales associate - the one who'd fed Audrey misinformation earlier. She looked ready to melt into the wallpaper.