At that exact moment, an older woman behind the diamond display rose from her chair.
She had short silver-blonde hair, a beautifully tailored black blazer, and a small gold brooch shaped like a magnolia flower.
Her name was Clara Whitmore.
She had worked in fine jewelry for thirty-two years.
And unlike Patricia, she recognized the woman standing near the entrance.
Clara's face drained of color.
She hurried from behind the counter.
"Patricia! Stop!"
The manager turned angrily.
"What now?"
Clara ignored her.
She walked directly toward Diana.
Then stopped a respectful distance away.
"Ms. Mitchell?"
Diana nodded.
"Hello, Clara."
For a moment, the older woman looked ready to cry.
"Why didn't anyone tell me you were coming?"
Diana glanced toward Patricia.
"I tried."
Clara looked at the manager.
Then at the security officer.
Her voice trembled.
"Patricia, do you have any idea who this woman is?"
Patricia rolled her eyes.
"I don't care who she claims to be."
Clara swallowed.
Then spoke slowly.
"This is Diana Mitchell."
Patricia shrugged.
"And?"
Clara's expression hardened.
"The chief executive and controlling owner of Aurelle Fine Jewelry."
Nobody moved.
For several seconds, the only sound came from the quiet music playing through the ceiling speakers.
Patricia stared at Diana.
Then laughed nervously.
"That's impossible."
Diana remained composed.
Clara continued.
"She owns the company that operates this boutique."
The young associate covered her mouth.
The security guard straightened.
Patricia looked toward the reception computer.
Then back at Diana.
Her confidence was beginning to collapse.
"Nobody told me she was coming."
Diana's voice remained calm.
"You shouldn't need to know who owns the store to treat someone properly."
Patricia opened her mouth.
No words came.
Diana continued.
"And you certainly don't need to know someone's net worth before deciding whether you're allowed to shove them."
The manager's lips trembled.
For a moment, she looked toward the security officer as though expecting him to rescue her from the conversation.
He didn't move.
Diana looked toward Clara.
"Please call the regional operations director and Human Resources. I'd like the security footage preserved immediately."
Clara nodded.
"Of course."
Patricia stepped forward.
"Ms. Mitchell, I think this has been blown out of proportion."
Diana looked directly at her.
"You put your hands on a customer, attempted to seize her bag, and ordered security to remove her without checking the appointment."
Patricia swallowed.
Diana continued.
"You are relieved of your duties effective immediately. Your employment is terminated, and Human Resources will handle the formal process."
Patricia stared.
Her face had gone completely white.
"You can't do that over one misunderstanding."
Diana didn't raise her voice.
"Your misunderstanding was believing that someone had to prove she was important before you treated her like a person."