Chapter 193

Dominick sat calmly on the sofa, his long legs crossed, weariness etched on his face. Behind him, his executives stood stiffly; Finery’s staff huddled near the cashier, a flock of frightened birds.

“What’s wrong with you all? Letting this… this man run roughshod over my shop?” Emery’s voice crackled. The early start had already soured her mood; Dominick’s presence was the final straw. Her employees remained frozen, so she charged. “You piece of garbage! Why are you here? Masochist, getting an early morning scolding?”

Dominick’s brow furrowed. He’d disliked Emery since their club encounter. Her brazenness baffled him—why did Paisley associate with such a… woman? Paisley’s violent streak suddenly made perfect sense.

Emery’s fury escalated at his silence. “Shameless! Get out! Do I have to throw you out myself?”

A thin, icy smile touched Dominick’s lips. He raised a hand, a dismissive gesture.

His nonchalance enraged her. “Dominick, you son of a—”

“Hey, hey!” The mall manager finally intervened. Emery’s insults had gone far enough. “Ms. Collins, that’s enough. That’s Mr. Vanderbilt.”

Emery whirled on him. “I wasn’t talking to you! I pay this mall a fortune in rent! You should be defending me!”

The manager mopped his brow. “Ms. Collins, Mr. Vanderbilt owns this mall. Are you sure—”

The unspoken threat hung heavy: one word from Dominick, and her lease was gone. The penalty clause was a pittance to him, a catastrophe for her.

He’d hoped to scare her into submission. He failed. Her anger exploded.

“What?! My rent goes into this jerk’s pocket? No wonder business is bad! Fine! Take the store back! Pay the penalty, and I’m gone!”

The manager stared, aghast. His tactic had backfired spectacularly.

Finally, Dominick spoke. “Everyone, leave. Ms. Collins and I need to talk.” Relieved, the executives and staff fled.