Chapter 239 She Knows
“HN Studio is a menace! They silenced me right when I was raising an argument about their subpar products and gave me a beating!”
“Where is fairness? Where is the law? Behold my visage!”
Seated upon the floor, the middle–aged woman lamented, casting curses upon Kate.
She ignited the storm, met by others incensed, “What drives you to strike in dissent? Does courtesy elude you so?”
Within HN Studio, pandemonium reigned. Security’s countenances, frosty, staunchly held the torrent at bay, voices raised in command, “Cease your forward thrust!”
Yet the mob, heedless, surged forth in frenzy, some even attempting blows.
The assistant bore upon her cheek a stark imprint, her mouth set in resolute demand, “Summon the constabulary! This scene must end!”
Thus, after morning’s interlude, the constabulary returned to HN Studio by afternoon’s fall.
Security had corralled the agitators within, their garments detained as well.
Under vigilant watch, the woman who dealt the blow lay pinned by twin guards, across from Kate serenely seated upon the divan, her gaze glacial.
At sight of the constables, the middle–aged woman wrestled with fervour, as if reunited with kindred spirits, beseeching, “Officers, they purveyed me shoddy wares and struck me! You must intervene!”
Kate surveyed the woman coolly, a hint of amusement playing about her lips. “Indeed? Refrain from falsehoods before the law, lest you feel the hammer of justice.”
The woman quaked, trepidation flitting through her eyes, swiftly rallying. “You struck me! Behold this mark upon my face!”
Her harangue turned to the officers, indicating the crimson print upon her cheek.
The constable, visibly vexed, scrutinised the mark upon her face, brow furrowed. ‘Did you indeed strike her?”
Kate’s eyes turned dispassionate as she responded, “Yes, I did.”
The woman’s eyes sparkled, accusing finger aimed at Kate. “See, she admits it! Officers, arrest her forthwith!”
Kate regarded the woman with icy detachment, her voice chilled, “You were the first to strike my assistant. We possess surveillance footage. Shall I retrieve it for your review?”
The matron scorned Kate’s words with a derisive snort. “Surveillance? Who’d put stock in such prattle! Vour cinee’s me the CCTV lies defunct How will von muster fontsme?“.
un
Kate, arching a brow, found amusement in her gaze upon the woman. Her voice was both taunting and intrigued. “And how are you privy to the state of my store’s watching eye?”
At Kate’s query, the matron’s visage flickered. Her eyes briefly averted, yet she swiftly regained her poise. “Ha! Blind you deem me? Your store, assaulted! A clear sign of secrets to keep. Why else would it bear such ravage?”
All attention turned to the matron. Amongst them, the constables exchanged wary looks, unsure of the truth behind her assertions.
Observing Kate and her companions in silence, the matron raised her chin in triumph. “Has the cat seized your tongues? Fearful to speak now?”
“How came you to know of our store’s assault?” Kate inquired calmly, arms crossed, her gaze piercing the woman with an icy resolve.
Initially conjectural, Kate’s thoughts crystallised once the matron mentioned the shattered CCTV and the vandalism. Be it the earlier break–in or the current tumult, all roads led back to her.
At the very least, she was a well–informed adversary.