"I think we should discuss this matter in the private room," Eva said coldly, without waiting for anyone to respond, Eva turned and walked toward the private room.
Everyone could see that she was upset, so they hurriedly followed her.
Before entering the private room, Madison took out her phone and tried calling Anne.
But Anne didn't answer.
Madison looked at the manager "Tell Anne that her mother wants to see her."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll pass your message to the boss," the manager replied respectfully and went to Anne's office.
A few minutes later, after receiving the manager's message. Anne entered the private room along with Clara, Megan and her bodyguard behind her.
As she walked toward the private section, she heard a familiar voice.
"Well, look who finally decided to show her face."
Anne stopped. She slowly turned around and saw Sophie standing there with her arms crossed, a smug smile spread across her face.
Anne looked at her silently. She already knew from the look on Sophie's face that this wasn't going to be a simple conversation.
Behind Sophie appeared Olivia, Madison, and Eva.
Olivia's face looked pale and exhausted, as though she had been crying for hours. Madison looked upset about something, while Eva seemed genuinely worried for Anne.
"Anne, is this the way your staff takes care of customers? By splashing drinks all over them?" Sophie asked bitterly, interrupting the moment.
Anne ignored Sophie completely and turned her attention to the manager.
"What happened? What is all this commotion about?" Anne asked sternly. "Don't you know how badly this is affecting the image of the store?"
Seeing Anne so angry, the manager became nervous.
The other staff members exchanged sympathetic looks. They knew that when Anne became angry, nobody dared to interrupt her. To them, she wasn't just the owner of Angel by Anne—she was also one of the co-owners of the mall, which made her authority even greater.
"I've told you before," Anne continued firmly, looking at the manager and then at the other staff members, "if a customer causes any kind of disturbance, take them out of the store immediately. If necessary, contact mall security."
Everyone in the store fell silent.
The customers stared at Anne in surprise before glancing toward Sophie, Olivia, and Madison.
Sophie was furious. She clenched her fists and took a step toward Anne, ready to confront her, but Olivia quickly stopped her.
"Mom, let me handle this," Olivia whispered with a faint, sinister smile. "Just sit back and watch the show." She even gave Sophie a small wink.
Sophie looked at her daughter for a moment before stepping back. Olivia immediately changed her expression. She lowered her eyes, made her face look helpless, and slowly walked toward Anne.
"Sister, please don't be angry with anyone," Olivia said softly, her voice trembling. "I'm the one you should be angry with. I know you don't like me."
Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at Anne. Sophie watched her daughter with a confused expression at first. Then she glanced at Madison, who already looked upset.
A few seconds later, Sophie understood exactly what Olivia was trying to do. A small smirk appeared on her face.
Aaron, look at your wife, Sophie thought bitterly. She is still so easy to manipulate. She always falls for my daughter's little act.
Sophie had never liked Madison.
She had loved Aaron deeply, and when she learned that Aaron was going to marry Madison because of pressure from his parents, she had begged him to return to her.
But Aaron had gradually fallen in love with Madison because of her innocent and kind-hearted nature. Eventually, he told Sophie that it was better for them to go their separate ways. Sophie had never accepted his decision.
Instead, she had decided to create a place for herself in Aaron's life by having his child without his knowledge. She gave birth to Olivia and raised her alone.
When Olivia was five years old, Sophie began teaching her how to behave around Madison.
"Always be sweet to her," Sophie had told her. "Make her feel sorry for you. Never let her think you are trying to take anything from her."
Olivia had followed her mother's instructions perfectly.
At first, Madison had simply felt sympathy for the little girl.
But over the years, Olivia's constant displays of innocence and helplessness made Madison increasingly protective of her.
Eventually, Madison began treating Olivia almost like her own daughter.
Sophie had never expected Olivia to become so skilled at manipulating Madison.
Together, the mother and daughter had slowly created a distance between Anne and Madison, and now, years later, Olivia was using the same trick again.
"Anne! Olivia is your elder sister. Why are you being so mean to her?" Madison asked in an upset voice.
Olivia immediately shook her head. "Mother, please don't be angry with Sister," she said quietly. "I was the one who asked you to come here with me. Sister must have been upset because of everything that happened."
She lowered her head, making herself look even more pitiful.
Anne stared at her for a moment. Then she rolled her eyes. She was already irritated by the entire situation, and watching Olivia perform another one of her innocent little acts was only making it worse.
Anne took a slow breath and looked at Madison. "Mother, did you actually see what happened?"
Madison hesitated. Before she could answer, Anne looked toward the manager. "Tell me exactly what happened from the beginning."
The manager immediately nodded "Yes, ma'am."
But before he could speak, Sophie interrupted "There's no need for all this, Anne. Everyone already knows what happened."
Anne slowly turned toward her. For the first time since she had entered the room, she looked directly at Sophie.
Her expression was calm.
Far too calm "Then why don't you tell me what happened?" Anne asked.
"What is there to tell everyone knows what happened here, your store treats their customers poorly" said Sophie arrogantly crossing her arms.