Payback's Intern Chapter 2

In that moment, fury burned away every last shred of reason.

Without hesitation, I called my executive assistant. “Revoke Mark Collins’s position as COO, effective immediately. Have security escort him out of the building. And freeze his corporate card.”

Designing gowns was my passion, but I couldn’t run my fashion empire and my boutique at the same time. Mark had stepped in, promising to manage the corporate side so I could focus on my creative work. To thank him, I’d gone against the advice of my board and promoted him to Chief Operating Officer. I’d even given him a supplementary card to my personal account with no spending limit.

A flicker of doubt crossed my mind. Was I being too impulsive? The memories of our good years washed over me, a painful contrast to the present.

“We’re here, Ms. Hayes.”

The driver’s voice jolted me back to reality. I stormed out of the car and shoved the boutique door open.

Everyone inside froze. Jessica glared at me, her expression a mask of irritation. “Who do you think you are, barging in like that? Don’t you know how to knock?”

I ignored her, walking straight to my sister on the floor.

Rachel grabbed my hand, her grip desperate as fresh tears streamed down her bruised cheeks. “Evelyn, you’re finally here,” she sobbed. “What is going on? Who is this woman?”

Her voice was weak, but Jessica heard every word. Her eyes, now fixed on me, narrowed with malice. “So you’re the sister this little tramp was talking about? Evelyn Hayes?”

Maria looked at me, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “Ms. Hayes, I didn’t realize she was your sister.” Her surprise quickly curdled into contempt. “I know you’re the lead designer here, but that doesn’t give your family a free pass to freeload.”

I let out a cold, humorless laugh. As I helped Rachel to her feet, I pointed to the red marks on her face. “Did you do this?” I asked, my voice dangerously calm.

Maria swallowed hard, a brief flash of guilt in her eyes before she hardened her expression. “She’s lucky we didn’t call the cops! Do you have any idea how many expensive dresses she’s stolen from this store, using your name? And on top of that, she had the audacity to claim she was Mr. Collins’s sister right in front of the real Mrs. Collins!”

She punctuated her speech by spitting on the floor beside my sister. “Absolutely shameless! Doesn’t she know her place? Trying to impersonate family in front of the real deal!”

Jessica, puffed up by Maria’s defense, crossed her arms, her posture dripping with arrogance. She scanned me from head to toe with a dismissive sneer, her eyes finally landing on my designer handbag.

“That bag,” she demanded. “Where did you get it?”

I glanced down at the bag in my hand. “And why would I need to explain that to you?” I shot back. “Furthermore, who told either of you this boutique belongs to Mark Collins?”

This boutique was my baby. I’d poured my heart, soul, and the very first big check I ever earned into creating it.

Suddenly, a thought struck me. “Is it because his name is on the business registration as a co-owner? Is that why you think he owns the place?” The idea was so absurd I almost laughed. “If that’s the case, let me clear things up for you. This boutique is—”

“I asked you a question! Where did you get the bag?” Jessica shrieked, her face turning a blotchy red with rage. “Answer me, Evelyn!”

Faced with her unhinged questioning, I drew myself up to my full height. “My husband bought it for me.”

“You’re a liar!”

In the next second, Jessica lunged, grabbing a fistful of my hair. “You stole it! That bag was supposed to be mine!”

“You’re a thief!” she screamed, her voice cracking. “No wonder your sister is one too! It runs in the family! I’m going to teach you both a lesson you’ll never forget!”