Arthur walked into his private study, a room he had kept locked since Martha’s passing. He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a small, black leather journal. For weeks, he had been quietly noting down Victoria’s shopping habits out of pure professional curiosity.
Looking through his handwritten pages, he reviewed her exact checkout times and her unique purchases. She always bought top-shelf catering goods—aged meats, imported cheeses, and rare wines. Through casual neighborhood gossip, Arthur had learned that Victoria was throwing lavish weekly parties at her penthouse to network with the elite board members of Vanguard Assets, probably positioning herself for a promotion.
Arthur realized that Victoria’s entitled attitude ran deep. She believed that people in service roles were completely invisible, incapable of tracking her actions or understanding her world. She had played dirty because she assumed an old cashier would never challenge her. She had no idea that her arrogance was leaving a distinct trail.