It was now moving through her memory.
She had seen it.
Of course she had.
Emails.
Policies.
CEO updates.
But the person in front of her did not match the mental picture she had stored.
Ashley had already pulled out her phone.
She searched.
Then stopped breathing for half a second.
Kevin whispered:
“Oh God.”
Patricia heard him.
“What?”
Kevin walked closer.
“Patricia.”
“What?”
“Stop talking.”
She stared at him.
“What are you saying?”
Ashley turned her screen.
On it was a company profile.
DIANA MITCHELL – FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
The photograph showed Diana in a black suit, hair styled differently, standing at a charity gala.
Patricia looked at the screen.
Then at Diana.
Then back.
“No.”
The word came out quietly.
Diana ended the call after Sarah confirmed the response team was assembling.
She placed the phone in her purse.
Patricia looked physically unsteady.
“You’re…”
Diana waited.
Patricia swallowed.
“You’re Diana Mitchell.”
“Yes.”
The store remained silent.
Diana did not smile.
She did not enjoy the reveal.
That surprised Patricia most.
Diana reached into her wallet and removed an identification card used for corporate facilities.
Then a business card.
She placed both on the glass counter.
Diana Mitchell.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
Patricia stared.
“This can’t…”
“Can’t what?”
Diana’s voice remained calm.
“Can’t be successful?”
Patricia shook her head rapidly.
“No.”
“Can’t afford the necklace?”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Can’t own the company whose flagship you just called your store?”
Tears appeared in Patricia’s eyes.
“I didn’t know.”
There it was.
Diana looked at her for a long time.
Then said:
“That is the problem.”
Patricia blinked.
“I would never have spoken to you like that if I knew.”
Diana’s face changed.
Sadness replaced some of the anger.
“Patricia, listen to what you just said.”
Patricia froze.
Diana continued.
“You’re telling me you would have treated me with respect if you knew I had power over you.”
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“But that is exactly what happened.”
“No.”
“You believed I was an ordinary customer.”
Patricia began crying.
“I made a terrible mistake.”
Diana shook her head.
“Identity should not have been the test.”
Around them, customers continued recording.
Diana noticed.
That complicated things.
She was not going to turn Patricia’s termination into public theater.
Not if she could avoid it.
She looked at Kevin.
“Lock the Aurora case.”
Kevin moved immediately.
“Ashley, please help the customers who are still shopping.”
Ashley nodded.
“Marcus, nobody is to be removed unless there is an actual safety concern.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Then Diana turned to Patricia.