Chapter 12
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By noon, the financial strike was in full effect. The Sterling Conglomerate was a monolithic force in the city's economy, and Alexander had weaponized its full weight against the Vances.
Cassandra sat in her luxurious living room, aggressively tapping the screen of her gold-plated smartphone. She tried calling her closest friends—the women she had gossiped with just last night at the charity gala. The women who had watched her slap the maid.
Every single call went straight to voicemail.
Panic, cold and sharp, began to claw at her chest. She opened her social media accounts, expecting to see her usual stream of adoring comments. Instead, her feed was a warzone. A video of the slap, captured by a guest at the gala, had been leaked online. The footage clearly showed Cassandra striking Elena, followed by Alexander's terrifying entrance and the brutal revelation of Elena's true identity.
The comments were relentless. The public, fueled by righteous anger, was tearing her apart. Her brand partnerships were dropping her. Charities she had proudly chaired were issuing public statements denouncing her actions and removing her from their boards.
"This can't be happening," Cassandra muttered to herself, pacing the length of her living room. "I am Cassandra Vance. I am untouchable."
Desperate for a semblance of normalcy, she grabbed her designer purse and ordered her driver to take her to her exclusive, high-end shopping district. She needed retail therapy. She needed people to bow to her and treat her like royalty.
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When her luxury car pulled up to her favorite designer boutique, Cassandra marched to the front doors, expecting them to be held open for her. Instead, the manager stepped out, blocking the entrance with a stern, unforgiving expression.
"I am sorry, Mrs. Vance," the manager said coldly. "But our corporate office has instructed us to refuse you service. We no longer welcome your business here. Please leave the premises before I am forced to call security."
