Chapter Twenty–One
Mrs Henderson remained on her knees on the marble floor, tears streaming down her face as she clutched at Pervis’s shoes desperately
“Please, sir, you have to understand,” she sobbed, her voice breaking with desperation. I’m a single mother! I have a crippled son at home who depends on me for everything!”
“Mrs Henderson, please get up,” Sarah said softly, though she kept her distance from the older woman
“No” Mrs. Henderson cried, refusing to rise. “I need this job! My son can’t walk, can’t work–I’m all he has! If I lose this position, we’ll be out on the street!”
Pervis looked down at the broken woman, feeling a mixture of pity and disgust. “Your personal circumstances don’t excuse your behavior.”
“I know! I know I was wrong!” Mrs. Henderson wailed. “But please, have mercy! I’ll do anything to make this right!”
Sarah stepped forward hesitantly, her cheek still red from the slap. “Sir, perhaps… perhaps she’s learned
her lesson?”
Pervis glanced at the young woman who had defended him despite knowing it would cost her. “You’re asking me to forgive someone who assaulted you?”
“She was wrong,” Sarah admitted quietly, “but destroying her life won’t undo what happened.”
Pervis considered this for a long moment, then looked back down at Mrs. Henderson.
“I won’t report this incident,” he said finally. “But understand this clearly–if you ever treat another customer the way you treated me today, I will personally ensure you never work in retail again. Is that
understood?”
“Yes! Yes, I understand completely!” Mrs. Henderson gasped through her tears. “Thank you! Thank you so
much!”
“Now get up
and retu
I return to your duties,” Pervis said firmly. “And perhaps consider treating all customers
with basic human dignity in the future.”
Mrs. Henderson scrambled to her feet, bowing repeatedly. “Of course, sir! Absolutely, sir! Thank you for
your mercy!”
She hurried away to the back of the store, her face burning with shame and humiliation.
Sarah turned to Pervis with a grateful smile. “Thank you for being so understanding. Now, what kind of gifts were you looking for?”
For the next hour, Sarah helped Pervis select elegant presents a diamond bracelet, a vintage watch, and a silk scarf that cost more than most people made in a month. Her knowledge of the merchandise was
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impressive, and her genuine enthusiasm for helping made the experience pleasant despite the earlier unpleasantness.
“Your total comes to forty–seven thousand dollars,” Sarah said as she carefully wrapped each item in the store’s signature packaging.
Pervis handed her the black card without hesitation. “And please add a five–thousand–dollar tip for exceptional service.”
Sarah’s eyes widened. “Sir, that’s incredibly generous, but I can’t accept such a large tip.
“You defended me when you didn’t have to,” Pervis replied. “You showed courage and integrity. That deserves recognition.”
“I was just doing my job properly,” Sarah protested.
“Exactly,” Pervis said with a smile. “Which seems to be rarer than it should be. Please accept it.”
As the transaction processed, Sarah shook her head in amazement. “I still can’t believe how Mrs. Henderson treated you. I’m so sorry about that.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Pervis assured her. “You were the only person in here who acted with basic decency.”
Mrs. Henderson watched from across the store as Pervis completed his purchase, her face a mask of embarrassment and regret. The sound of the register processing such a large transaction echoed through the space, ensuring everyone knew exactly how much money she had nearly cost the store.
“Have a wonderful evening,” Sarah said warmly as she handed him his packages.
Pervis nodded graciously and walked out of the showroom, leaving behind a staff that would never again judge a customer by their appearance.
Meanwhile, across the city, Anna returned to her villa with a expression that could have frozen water. Her face was set in hard lines of determination and barely controlled rage.
Noah, who had been anxiously pacing in the foyer waiting for her return, immediately sensed the dangerous mood she was in.
“Anna?” he ventured carefully. “How did the rest of the meeting go?”
Anna brushed past him without acknowledgment, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as
she headed toward her study.
Noah followed at a safe distance, not daring to speak further. He had seen Anna angry before, but quite like this. There was a cold calculation in her demeanor that was more frightening than any
outburst of rage.
never
Anna seated herself behind her desk and immediately reached for her phone, her fingers moving with
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decisive precision across the screen.
“Metropolitan Police Department,” came a professional voice through the speaker.
“This is Anna Morrison,” she said crisply. “I need to report a theft from my home.”
“Of course, ma’am. Can you provide details about what was taken?”
“Jewelry and cash totaling approximately fifty thousand dollars,” Anna replied, her voice steady and authoritative. “The perpetrator is my estranged husband, Pervis Tyler.”
“Do you have evidence of this theft, ma’am?”
“The items are missing from my personal safe, and he was the only other person with access,” Anna stated, “I discovered the theft after he visited my home yesterday.”
“We’ll need you to come in and file a formal report,” the officer explained. “Can you do that tomorrow morning?”
“Absolutely,” Anna confirmed. “And I want him arrested as soon as possible. This is a clear case of theft by a spouse during divorce proceedings.”
“We’ll treat this matter with appropriate seriousness, ma’am. An arrest warrant will be issued once you’ve filed the formal complaint.”
Anna ended the call with a satisfied smile. Finally, she would have her revenge against Pervis and his mysterious benefactor. Let them try to explain their way out of criminal charges.
Noah, who had been listening from the doorway, felt a chill run down his spine. He knew exactly where those stolen items really were–hidden in his bedroom closet, waiting to be sold tomorrow.
But Anna had no idea about his theft, and he certainly wasn’t about to enlighten her. Let Pervis take the blame for Noah’s crime. It would serve the bastard right for all the humiliation he had caused.
He crept quietly back to his room, where he pulled out the jewelry and cash he had stolen from Anna’s safe. Tomorrow, he would sell these items and finally have enough money to start building his own independent life.
That evening, Pervis arrived at Le Bernardin precisely at eight o’clock. The restaurant’s elegant atmosphere and impeccable service created the perfect setting for what he hoped would be a memorable family gathering.
Aria was already seated at a comer table when he arrived, but she wasn’t alone. Two other women with her, both strikingly beautiful and obviously successful
“Pervis!” Aria called out warmly as he approached. “Come meet your other sisters.*
The first woman stood gracefully–tall blonde, and immaculately dressed in a tailored business suit that screamed expensive attomey.
Tim Christina Martines,” she said, extending a perfectly manicured hand I specialize in corporate though I’ve been known to handle the occasional criminal case when the situation demande
“It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Pervis replied, impressed by her confident bearing
The second woman was equally striking but in a completely different way. She had dark hair, makeup, and an outfit that managed to be both fashionable and professional
“And I’m Grace Martinez,” she said with a bright smile I’m what you might call a social media entrepreneur. I have about fifteen million followers across various platforms
Pervis blinked in surprise. Tifteen million:
“Give or take a few hundred thousand, Grace laughed. “The numbers change daily I primarily focus on lifestyle and business content, though I occasionally branch out into social causes when the mood
strikes me.”
As they settled into dinner, Pervis found himself amazed by the scope of his new family’s influence and
success.
Each of these women had built impressive careers in their respective fields, and their conver revealed depths of knowledge and experience that left him slightly overwhelmed
“So,” Christina said as their appetizers arrived, “Aria tells us you’ve had quite an eventful few days”
“That might be an understatement Pervis replied with a wry smile
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
