The Almighty Dominance (by Sunshine) novel Chapter 823

Alex did not argue.

He wandered along the glass instead, hands behind his back, and read every little price card, moving his lips.

"No touching unless you're buying," Gina said.

"I'm only reading! Is that wrong?" Alex said.

"It's wrong for you to even walk in here. Poor people have no right to set foot in this place."

"Do you know how arrogant you are, judging people like that?" Alex asked mildly. "You're not rich yourself."

"Maybe not. But I'm still much richer than you."

Alex nodded to himself, as if that settled it, and turned for the door.

"That's right, sweetheart, off you go," Gina called after him. "This place isn't for you. Try the stalls on the fish quay. That's more your place."

"Is that jacket meant to be vintage?" said one of the other shop girls. "So desperate to look rich."

The shop laughed.

Round the corner, out of sight of the windows, he took out his old phone.

"Natasha. Larkspur's, on the high street. Come. Hurry. Bring money. I want to buy something."

"Yes, sir. I'm on my way."

He put the phone away. The jade was still in its case, and somebody else might buy it. He walked back in.

"You again?" Gina's smile went out. "Didn't I order you out?"

"I only want to look at it one more time," Alex said, pointing at the case at the back. "It looks like water."

"Or you want to try your luck," Gina said. "Unbelievable." She snatched up the house phone. "Sir? Gina, on the floor. There's a beggar who won't leave. Yes. Now, please."

The owner came down the back stairs, buttoning his jacket. He looked at the old jacket once.

"Who let this in? Get this beggar out of my shop."

"I've called security too, sir." Gina pressed the button under the counter and clapped at the shop girls. "Don't just stand there. Help him to the door!"

Two girls took him by the sleeves. A guard put a hand flat on his chest, heavy and cold through the thin cloth.

"Out you go, friend."

"Please don't pull," Alex said politely. "It's my only jacket."

"Push him!" somebody called. "Back to the fish quay!"

The whole shop laughed as they shoved him back toward the door.

That was when the door opened from the other side.

A woman in a grey coat stood on the step with two men behind her.

"Stop that!"

The laughing died. Natasha looked from the beggar to the guards.

"Ms. Vale," the owner breathed, and went the colour of the marble. "What an honour! If you need anything at all, please let me know."

Natasha Vale looked at the guard's hand on the old jacket.

"What is this?"

"Only a beggar, Ms. Vale!" Gina hurried round the counter, smiling. "He's been bothering our customers all morning. We're putting him out for you."

"For me."

"Yes, Ms. Vale."

"Let go of him."

They let go at once.

"Ms. Vale," Gina added quickly, "he'll only spoil your visit. Why don't we put him out first, and then you can enjoy your shopping?"

"You really do have a nasty mouth, don't you?" Natasha said. Then she turned to the owner. "Is this how Larkspur's treats a customer? If this woman does not apologise to this man, something nasty may happen. To your shop."

"No! Never, Ms. Vale!" The owner swung round on Gina. "Who made you so rude? Get down! Apologise to this man!"

He pulled her down by the arm. Her knees hit the marble with a crack that rang through the shop.

"Sir, are you mad?" Gina cried. "How can you make me kneel to a beggar? You told me yourself to throw him out!"

"Apologise!" the owner slapped Gina’s face really hard.

“You!”

“What you!” The owner replied. “I will never let my shop destroyed because of you! Apologise!"

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