Eva's expression became colder.
So this is what they're doing.
They were feeding Madison lies about Anne. They were presenting Olivia as the innocent victim.
And Anne, as usual, was being pushed into the role of the cruel sister without even being there to defend herself.
Eva's gaze shifted toward the private office. Anne was completely unaware of what was happening outside.
She was working. Trusting the people around her. While others were standing outside and twisting the situation against her.
Eva's hands slowly tightened. She had remained silent for years because she had wanted to protect the family's larger plan.
But watching Olivia and Sophie manipulate Madison so easily made her patience begin to disappear.
You can fool Madison.
Her eyes hardened.
But you won't fool me.
"I think we should discuss this matter in the private room." Eva's voice was cold enough to silence everyone.
She didn't wait for anyone to respond. Turning around, she walked toward the private room with firm steps.
Everyone could see that she was genuinely upset.
Madison, Olivia, Sophie, and the others quickly followed her.
The manager exchanged a nervous glance with the employees before following them as well. The customers who remained in the store watched quietly.
Nobody wanted to miss what was about to happen. Just before entering the private room, Madison suddenly stopped. She took out her phone and immediately called Anne.
The call rang several times. But there was no answer.
Madison frowned and tried again. Still nothing.
She lowered the phone and looked toward the manager. "Tell Anne that her mother wants to see her."
"Yes, ma'am." The manager nodded respectfully. "I'll pass your message to the boss."
She immediately turned and headed toward Anne's private office.
A few minutes later, the door to the private office opened.
Anne stepped out. Clara walked beside her, while Megan followed with her tablet and several files in her hands. Daniel, Anne's bodyguard, walked a short distance behind them.
Anne's expression was calm, but there was a slight crease between her eyebrows.
She had been reviewing reports when the manager interrupted her with Madison's message. Something about the urgency in his voice had made her uneasy.
As Anne walked toward the private section, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Well, look who finally decided to show her face." Anne stopped. Her footsteps came to a halt.
Slowly, she turned around. Sophie stood there with her arms crossed, a smug smile spread across her face. Anne stared at her silently. She didn't need to ask what had happened.
One look at Sophie's expression told her that this wasn't going to be a simple conversation.
Behind Sophie stood Olivia. Madison was beside her and Eva stood slightly apart, her expression filled with concern.
Olivia's face looked pale and exhausted, as though she had spent hours crying.
Madison looked upset.
But Eva's expression was different. She looked genuinely worried about Anne.
Anne noticed all of it. Her eyes moved briefly over the group before settling on Sophie.
Sophie, however, was already preparing to attack. "Anne, is this the way your staff takes care of customers?"
Her voice was bitter. "By splashing drinks all over them?"
Anne didn't respond. Instead, she turned toward the manager. "What happened?" Her voice was stern.
"What is all this commotion about?" She looked around the store. "Don't you know how badly this is affecting the image of the store?"
The manager immediately became nervous. "Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry."
The other employees exchanged sympathetic glances. They knew Anne well. She was usually calm and reasonable. But when she became angry, nobody dared interrupt her.
To them, she wasn't merely the owner and founder of Angel by Anne. She was also one of the co-owners of the mall. Her authority within the building was considerable.
Anne looked toward the manager. "I've told you before. If a customer causes any kind of disturbance, take them out of the store immediately."
"If necessary, contact mall security."
The manager immediately nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
The entire store fell silent. Even the customers who had been whispering moments earlier stopped talking. They stared at Anne. Then their eyes shifted toward Sophie, Olivia, and Madison.
Sophie was furious. Her hands clenched into fists. She took a step toward Anne, clearly ready to confront her. But before she could say anything, Olivia quickly caught her mother's arm.
"Mom." Her voice was barely a whisper. "Let me handle this."
Sophie looked at her. Olivia's lips curved into the faintest, most sinister smile.
"Just sit back and watch the show." She even gave Sophie a small wink.
Sophie stared at her daughter for a moment. Then she understood.
A small smile appeared on her face. She stepped back.
Olivia immediately changed. The confident expression disappeared.
Her shoulders lowered.
Her eyes became watery.
Her face took on a helpless expression.
She slowly walked toward Anne. "Sister…"
Her voice trembled. "Please don't be angry with anyone."
Anne looked at her without saying anything. Olivia lowered her head. "I'm the one you should be angry with."
Her voice became softer. "I know you don't like me."
Her eyes filled with tears. "I know you never have."
Sophie watched her daughter. At first, there was a trace of confusion in her eyes. Then she looked toward Madison. Madison already looked upset.
A few seconds later, Sophie understood exactly what Olivia was doing.
A small smirk appeared on her lips.
Aaron, look at your wife.
Sophie's eyes narrowed.
She's 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, Sophie had begged him to return to her.
But Aaron had gradually fallen in love with Madison. Madison's innocent and kind-hearted nature had drawn him closer to her.
Eventually, Aaron had told Sophie that it was better for them to go their separate ways. Sophie had never accepted his decision.
Instead, she had made another choice. She would create a place for herself in Aaron's life. She would have his child and she did.
Without Aaron's knowledge, Sophie gave birth to Olivia and raised her alone.
When Olivia was five years old, Sophie began teaching her something far more important than manners. She taught her how to manipulate people.
One evening, Sophie had sat beside the little girl and spoken to her gently. "Always be sweet to her."
Olivia had looked at her mother curiously. "Who?"
"Madison." Sophie had smiled. "Make her feel sorry for you."
She had carefully explained every step. "Never let her think you are trying to take anything from her."
"And if she gets angry?"
"Cry."
Little Olivia had nodded.