He stopped.
She looked toward Victor.
“I asked to see the blue necklace in the center showcase.”
Victor glanced toward it.
“Of course.”
“I was told the price before the case was opened.”
Victor’s expression darkened.
“I was directed toward cheaper collections without being asked my budget.”
Elliot spoke.
“I was trying to—”
Victor looked at him.
Silence.
Naomi continued.
“I presented my atelier appointment card.”
Victor glanced down at the card still in his hand.
“He questioned where I got it.”
Elliot’s face reddened.
“I said I needed to verify—”
Naomi looked at him.
“You pushed it across the counter.”
“It fell.”
“After you pushed it.”
“I did not throw it.”
“I didn’t say you did.”
That hurt him more because he heard how defensive he sounded.
Victor looked toward the hostess.
“Claire?”
The young woman at reception froze.
She had not expected to become a witness.
Victor’s voice softened.
“Did you see what happened?”
Claire looked at Elliot.
Then Naomi.
“Yes.”
Elliot’s face changed.
Victor asked:
“Did Ms. Carter present the card?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Claire swallowed.
“Mr. Crane questioned it.”
“Then?”
“He pushed it back.”
“Did it fall?”
“Yes.”
Victor closed his eyes briefly.
Elliot stepped forward.
“This is absurd. I followed security judgment based on an unusual presentation.”
Naomi looked at him.
“What was unusual?”
“You didn’t identify yourself.”
“I gave you the appointment card.”
“You didn’t provide a name.”
“You didn’t ask until after deciding I belonged in a cheaper collection.”
“I did not decide that.”
“You said ‘more appropriate range.’”
“That is normal sales language.”
“For whom?”
Elliot looked toward Victor as though expecting rescue.
Victor gave none.
Naomi’s voice remained controlled.
“You were not rude because I could not afford the necklace.”
“You were rude because you decided I could not afford it before you knew anything about me.”
Elliot said nothing.
Naomi reached into her handbag.
This time she removed a burgundy leather folder.
She placed it on the glass counter.
Victor saw it.
His face changed.
Not shock.
He knew exactly what it was.
Elliot noticed.
Naomi opened the cover.
Across the first page:
CARTER MERIDIAN HOLDINGS
MAISON BELLAMY ACQUISITION AGREEMENT
MAJORITY OWNERSHIP TRANSFER — EFFECTIVE 12:01 A.M.
Elliot read the words.
His mouth opened slightly.
He looked toward Victor.
Victor remained silent.
Naomi turned one page.