The bracelet still rested there.
“Did you ask Mrs. Blackstone for proof of funds before letting her handle a two-hundred-eighty-thousand-dollar bracelet?”
Patricia’s face tightened.
“They are established clients.”
“So the rule is different for established clients?”
“There are circumstances.”
“What circumstances?”
Patricia stepped closer.
“Ma’am, I am trying to help you.”
“No.”
Diana’s voice remained calm.
“You are trying to discourage me.”
“That is not true.”
“You warned me about the price three times.”
“Because it’s expensive.”
“You redirected me to your cheapest section.”
“I offered alternatives.”
“You abandoned the sale when white customers arrived.”
Patricia’s eyes flashed.
“Do not make this about race.”
“I haven’t.”
“You just did.”
“I described what happened.”
Patricia lowered her voice.
“I know exactly what you’re trying to do.”
Diana stared.
“What am I trying to do?”
“Create a discrimination complaint because you’re embarrassed you can’t afford the piece.”
Elaine Blackstone inhaled sharply.
Arthur looked at Patricia.
“Patricia.”
She ignored him.
Diana felt her heartbeat change.
Years earlier, this would have hurt differently.
She might have doubted herself.
Wondered whether she had misunderstood.
Wondered whether confrontation would make her look difficult.
That uncertainty was gone.
“I can afford the necklace.”
Patricia folded her arms.
“Then prove it.”
“No.”
Patricia stared.
“No?”
“I will pay according to normal company procedure after purchase paperwork is prepared. I will not produce a bank statement because you decided I look poor.”
“I never said you look poor.”
“You didn’t need to.”
Patricia’s voice rose.
“I am responsible for protecting valuable merchandise.”
“From me?”
“From suspicious behavior.”
Diana almost laughed.
“What suspicious behavior?”
“You have been lingering around high-value pieces.”
“I asked to buy one.”
“You came in driving an old car.”
That silenced even Patricia for a fraction of a second.
Diana’s expression changed.
“You watched what I drove?”
Patricia realized too late that she had said it aloud.
“It was visible from the window.”
“So my car became part of your assessment.”
“No.”
“You just made it part of your explanation.”
Patricia’s confidence began slipping.
Then she made the choice that turned discomfort into misconduct.
“Look, I am done arguing. You clearly are not here to make a legitimate purchase.”
Diana’s jaw tightened.
“I’m offering three hundred fifty thousand dollars for a necklace.”
“And I don’t believe you.”
“That isn’t your decision to make.”
“It is in this store.”
“No, Patricia.”
The manager froze.
Diana had not been formally introduced to her by name.
Her badge was small.
Patricia looked down automatically.
Diana had already read it.
“You have now treated me differently, invented a financial-verification requirement you did not apply to another customer, referred to my vehicle as evidence, and suggested I’m not legitimate.”
Patricia’s cheeks burned.
“That is enough.”
“I agree.”
“Then leave.”
“No.”
Patricia stared.
Diana remained where she was.