[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322E1C3D0-269":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},269,55,"Chapter 55: Siena’s Stiff Salute","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The next day, Evangeline and Remi arrived at SY Plaza.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The same manager from their previous visit was there to greet them. Seeing them walk in, he broke into a frantic jog, his face plastered with a sycophantic grin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mrs. Alexander, what brings you here today?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m here on behalf of QX to discuss a retail lease. Are there any vacant units available?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As soon as the words left her lips, Evangeline felt a twinge of irony. Coming in person to talk \"business\" at a property owned by her husband—wasn’t it painfully obvious she was just pulling rank? She couldn't help but inwardly scoff at her own performative charade.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yes! As a matter of fact, a brand just moved out of a prime spot on the eleventh floor this morning.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Oh? How... convenient.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She couldn't help but mutter to herself. She wouldn't be surprised if the staff had kicked someone out the moment they heard she was coming. The manager, however, was no fool. He caught the flicker of skepticism in her eyes and rushed to clarify.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Survival of the fittest is just how things work here, ma'am. Please, don't give it a second thought!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He gestured for them to follow, ushering the two women up to the eleventh floor. \"This is the space. Does it meet your expectations?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline took a slow look around. It was a high-traffic area, the floor space was generous, and the entire level was dedicated to women’s fashion. The clustering effect would surely drive a significant number of new customers to a fresh brand like hers. She nodded, satisfied. \"It's perfect. How much is the annual rent?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The manager looked as if he might pull his own hair out. His higher-ups had given strict instructions: if the CEO’s wife insisted on paying, accept it—but they hadn't specified a price. This couple was truly playing games; it was all just money moving from one of their pockets to the other, yet here he was, sweating bullets.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a long moment of hesitation, he trembled and held up five fingers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi gasped, her voice echoing through the empty shop. \"Five million dollars!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Uh—no, no! I meant fifty thousand. Does that work for you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The manager’s panicked expression made Evangeline stifle a laugh. It really was hard being a corporate pawn in their world.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine. Fifty thousand it is. Let’s draw up the contract.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Right away, Mrs. Alexander! I'll have the paperwork delivered to your office by this afternoon, if that's all right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Who could have guessed that the \"boss lady\" would actually insist on paying rent and signing a contract? The ways of the wealthy were truly beyond his comprehension.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"That works.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With the logistics settled, they needed to start renovations immediately. They had to finish before the ad campaign went live; having a surge of interest without a proper storefront would be a disaster. The two women wandered the empty shop, making mental notes and sketching layouts.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline was standing by the entrance, jotting down ideas in a notebook, when a sharp, shrill voice cut through the air.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Evangeline Montgomery!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline turned around, grimaced, and decided she didn't have the energy for this. She turned back to her work, effectively ignoring her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I’m talking to you! Are you deaf?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena Spencer stomped over, planting herself directly in front of them with her hands on her hips, radiating a toxic, entitled energy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Listen, little Miss Spencer,\" Evangeline sighed, her voice flat. \"Out of respect for Damian, I’ve been incredibly patient with you. Don’t force me to throw you out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She made a show of balling her fist, giving a half-hearted warning.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Ha! You wouldn't dare. Aren't you afraid that if Marcellus found out you were a total shrew, he’d dump you on the spot?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline raised a brow. \"You want to test that theory?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena flinched at the dangerous, lazy smile on Evangeline’s face, but she held her ground, desperate to save face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Inside the storage room, Remi caught the sound of the commotion and poked her head out. \"Evangeline, what's going on?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment Siena heard that voice, her entire demeanor shifted. She straightened her posture so fast she looked like a toy soldier, pulling her head into her shoulders and shrinking into a tiny, trembling mess. The transition was so fluid it looked like she’d been through boot camp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline stared at her, genuinely impressed. \"Wow. What’s wrong with you? Scared of Remi?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena didn't dare answer. Her eyes darted toward the storage room, terrified.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi stepped out, fixing the \"unlucky brat\" with a cold stare. \"Was that you making all that noise?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"No... I wasn't,\" Siena squeaked.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline couldn't help but chuckle. Was this that \"contrast appeal\" everyone talked about? \"Remi, why is she so terrified of you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Don't! Don't you dare tell her!\" Siena barked, though her voice lacked any real bite.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi decided to have some fun. She crossed her arms, eyes glinting with amusement. \"Call me 'sister-in-law' and tell me you were wrong, and maybe I’ll let you off the hook.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena bit her lip, her eyes brimming with frustrated tears. She spent a long moment fighting an internal war, but as Remi’s patience began to fray, a miserable, tiny voice finally emerged.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sister-in-law... I was wrong.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Great. Now get lost. And from here on out, stay well away from Evangeline.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Siena hurried away, moving with such exaggerated caution that it looked like she had forgotten how to coordinate her limbs.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Haha... I think she’s marching with her left arm and left leg in sync!\" Evangeline doubled over, laughing as she watched Siena scramble away. \"Remi, seriously, how did you break her?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Pfft. A couple of solid punches was all it took.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait, you actually hit her? Did Damian know?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Remi sheepishly rubbed her nose. \"He was standing right there watching. I was just too annoyed to care about my image at the time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Haha, I bet Damian’s jaw was on the floor!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmph, he actually told me I did a good job!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Evangeline reached out, grabbed Remi’s chin, and shook her head affectionately.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The brief interruption ended, and the two women returned to work, their focus razor-sharp. They finalized the floor plan, mapped out the zones, and combined their ideas into a professional layout.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let's go with this. We aren't interior designers, after all. We’ll take these drafts back to the marketing team for the final polish.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Agreed. Let’s head out.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everything fell into place with clockwork precision. Seven days later, the store was ready, the television ads hit the airwaves, and a fresh, trendy new brand arrived on the fashion scene. Bolstered by celebrity exposure and a high-end, sophisticated aesthetic, the brand became an instant hit, capturing the hearts of the younger crowd. Both flagship stores were soon packed to the rafters, their inventory selling out faster than they could restock.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272913263]