PAMPERED

197 It’s bad for business

When Jessa went to the women’s boutique, she quickly came out because of the price tag on the mannequin. She caught Allison going to the other stall. Hence, she went to another one to check if there was something she could buy for her husband. –

After minutes, Jessa realized nothing could suit her husband here. Thus, she went to the stall where Allison was. She didn’t plan to get inside and simply thought of what task she would give the children to keep them busy after exam week.

While idling, she heard Mrs. Miller’s voice. That woman’s voice was so loud that even Jessa, who was outside, could hear everything. She didn’t plan to interfere, since she was curious about how Allison would deal with it. Much to her disappointment, Allison backed down and chose the peaceful route.

That didn’t sit well with Jessa. 1

People like Mrs. Miller were worthy of all the pettiness in this world.

“This shop is supposed to protect its clients and yet, not only did you not protect your customer, you let this tackless woman escalate the situation. I need an apology!”

“Tackless?!” Mrs. Miller fumed. “Between you and I –*

“I am tactless too, Jessa admitted, almost making Mrs. Miller throw up blood. “So what? We’re the same in that matter. You had a personal problem with someone and you made a scene in public. Isn’t that called tactless? The shop allowed such personal problems to happen in their establishment and even when they had the power to control the situation, they let it escalate!”

“I’d want to speak to the manager!” she continued, casting the staff a look. “Come on. Chop chop!”

Allison pressed her lips into a thin line, watching Jessa glare daggers at Mrs. Miller and the other shoppers. None of them dared say another word, afraid Jessa would shamelessly drag them in

this as well.

“Hah!” Jessa scoffed and her sharp eyes landed on Allison. “Tss. Pay for those things. Go on. I got

this.”

‘Actually, I don’t feel like buying anything anymore,‘ was what Allison wanted to say, but she nodded. As Allison walked away, she glanced at Jessa once more who was still having a glaring competition with Mrs. Miller.

“All of you!” Jessa raised her voice and pointed her finger at everyone. “If you think raising children is a piece of cake, why don’t you give birth ten more times?! Goodness! The hypocrisy in here is through the roof! If you think your whining is gonna do anything, then go buy somewhere else. This shop is popular locally and internationally. If you think leaving now is a Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

loss for them, then go!”

“My goodness!” Jessa flipped her hair and hissed at Mrs. Miller again. “Mrs. Miller, your daughter surely got her attitude from you. Didn’t you hear the headmaster was asking her to retake

tationette place?1*

13-09

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197 It’s bad for business

Hearing this, Mrs. Miller’s face turned red while all the bystanders furrowed their brows.

“Hah! My goodness. You’re so quick in judging other mothers when your own daughter has to retake etiquette class because she thinks the Miller Family is higher than the Headmaster of the Academy!” Jessa shook her head and scoffed. “Moreover, Mrs. Miller, aren’t you tired? Look! My fine lines are showing just like yours! Have mercy on me! I can’t keep eating cucumber every single day!”

Jessa huffed, giving everyone the shock of their lives as if she came in to show Mrs. Miller how creating a drama was done.

“Oh, my lord.” Jessa touched her temple and glared at Mrs. Miller once more. “Oh, god. I can’t with you. Do you think your daughter is only the precious daughter here? I feel sorry for those around her age who are around her.”

She cast those who were quick to criticize Allison again. “I hope your daughters aren’t being picked on by this woman’s daughter. I heard she’s a big bully and she particularly hates those who are prettier than her. I see you women are so pretty your daughters might be pretty as well. Warn them or maybe ask them. Who knows what’s going on in the school when you are not there to protect them?”

After saying her piece, Jessa strode off… in style.

Meanwhile, the customers who heard Jessa’s last remarks couldn’t help but look at each other. Some of them had enrolled their children in the same school. If the headmaster asked Patricia Miller to retake etiquette, that only spoke about Patricia Miller’s character.

Mrs. Miller looked at everyone’s disdainful look, seething in anger,

“You believed her blatant lics?!” she harrumphed, but the women looked away from her and left. unnecessary and insensitive comments. “Ugh!”

dropped

In the end, Mrs. Miller everything and walked out of the shop with her nose flaring in

anger

“I’m really sorry this happened!” the manager apologized incessantly. “I was on a break. We’re really sorry.”

The manager and all the staff apologized in unison, thinking they had to apologize because the manager was familiar with Allison Bennet.

“Aish! This apology is not enough.” Jessa shook her head. “Give us a discount for this

Inconvenience

Allison looked at Jessa, who was able to shop in a matter of minutes. “There’s no need…” she trailed off when she received a deadly glare from the latter. Allison bit her tongue and offered the staff a kind smile. (2)

“Just give us a discount,” she said meekly. “That should be enough.”

“Of course! We’re already planning to do that!” the manager quickly perked up. To not make their

Troular customer angry she muickly went to finish the inh

197 It’s bad for business

“This is what happens if you let that kind of client act all high and mighty in your business, Jessa dawdled, watching the cashier take her purchase. “If this happens, you’ll have to give out more discounts in the future. That is bad for business, you know?”

“Yes, yes, we’re really sorry, ma’am.”

Jessa kept spouting her thoughts while waiting while Allison reassured them it was fine and that she understood. Both women were a stark contrast to each other one was raising more discount as if the incident was an opportunity for her while the other soothed them.

Even so, the staff were equally relieved while watching Allison and Jessa walk out of the store

with a smile.

Somehow, they survived.

Then, all the customers who threatened to not shop there still approached the counter to pay for their purchases. This time, they were all talking about Mrs. Miller and suggesting to ban someone like her, who disrupts the shop’s harmony.

They all said, “It’s bad for business.

Surely, some people were quick to judge and also quick to switch sides. 17

Especially when the idea of being in Allison’s shoes in the future entered their awareness. 2

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