Tiffany, oblivious to the immense danger standing in front of her, placed her hands on her hips. "Are you the one hoarding the suite?" she demanded loudly.

Anona ignored Tiffany completely. Her sharp eyes softened slightly as she looked past the angry socialite to meet Ava's gaze.

"Darling," Anona asked, her tone gentle and deeply maternal, "are these loud, uncultured women bothering your shopping experience?"

Ava smiled warmly at her mother. "They were just leaving."

Tiffany realized the connection between the two women, but her new-money arrogance prevented her from grasping the sheer scale of their wealth.

Tiffany sneered, insulting Anona directly. "It makes sense. The penniless ex-wife brought her equally pathetic mother to beg for discounts."

The entire floor seemed to hold its breath. Mr. Hayes visibly pales, horrified by the fatal insult directed at the ultimate boss.

Anona didn't yell. Instead, she let out a soft, chilling laugh that made Kadence shiver involuntarily.

Anona turned her piercing gaze back to Tiffany. Her voice was perfectly modulated, carrying the weight of generations of power. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Anona Beaumont."

Tiffany frowned. The name "Beaumont" triggered a faint, terrifying recognition in the back of her mind regarding the city's top real estate developers, but she couldn't piece it together fast enough.

Anona took a single step forward. "I don't just shop at this department store, little girl. My family's holding company owns this entire building. And the retail group."

Tiffany's arrogant expression shattered instantly. It was replaced by wide-eyed, absolute horror as the crushing reality of her mistake crashed down on her.

Anona turned to Mr. Hayes, her tone shifting to strict, unforgiving business. "Immediately revoke Tiffany Vance's purchasing privileges."

She didn't stop there. "Blacklist her across all Beaumont-owned properties globally. Effective immediately."

Tiffany gasped. Tears of profound humiliation welled in her eyes. She realized she had just been permanently exiled from the highest echelons of New York society.

She attempted to stammer an apology, reaching out a trembling hand toward Anona. "Please, wait, I didn't know-"

The two security guards stepped forward smoothly. They intercepted Tiffany's hand, physically placing their massive bodies between her and the Beaumonts.

Anona looked at Kadence next. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed the trembling woman who had helped destroy her daughter's marriage.

Kadence shrank back against the wall. Her hands were shaking so violently she dropped her phone onto the marble floor.

Anona leaned in slightly. "The Ford family is a sinking ship," she whispered, her voice low and lethal. "You are welcome to go down with it."

Ava stepped up beside her mother. The visual unity of the two powerful women projected an impenetrable wall of absolute dominance.

Mr. Hayes gestured sharply toward the elevators. He ordered the security guards to escort the two women off the premises immediately.

The guards flanked Tiffany and Kadence. They physically guided the crying, utterly humiliated women away from the VIP area and toward the public exit.

Shoppers and staff on the main floor watched in stunned silence as the previously arrogant socialites were paraded out like common criminals.

Ava watched them disappear into the elevator. A profound sense of closure and satisfaction washed over her chest.

Anona turned to Ava. Her fierce expression melted back into a warm smile. She linked her arm through her daughter's.

She guided Ava back into the sanctuary of the Private Client Suite. The heavy velvet doors closed firmly behind them, shutting out the world.

Inside, Anona handed Ava a fresh glass of champagne. "To the beginning of our complete takeover," Anona toasted.

Outside the store, standing on the cold pavement, a terrified Kadence pulled out her phone. She needed to warn Bryant. Ava was far more dangerous than they ever imagined.

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Chapter 9

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