It’s too late Ms Beazell

"That's a serious offense," the Manager stated gravely.

"Of course it is a criminal offense that must be dealt with decisively." Linda added with a harsh tone. "And I think the Hudsons will need to be notified"

"Is there any need to notify them, since it has not been clarified if she stole the card or not? " Cheryl pointed out.

"What? Are you already afraid and dare not face the Hudson's punishment? How do we then confirm if the card is actually hers without the Hudsons?"

"I support Ms Fiona, let the Hudsons confirm it."

"There's actually a way to confirm without involving the Hudsons. Moreover, the Hudsons are not just any family we can order around without concrete evidence," cautioned the Manager.

"What other way is there?" Someone asked

"Leave that to us, we have a special card reader that can directly reveal the details and ownership of any card within seconds."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's confirm it here and now."

"What if the card is actually my friend's? Cheryl knew the card belonged to Kathleen and didn't want Linda to go unpunished after all the ruckus she has caused.

"Then the accuser will have no choice but to apologize and serve any punishment the accused gives." The Manager stated.

"I'm cool with that"

"So am I"

Both Linda and Kathleen spoke concurrently.

The customers that were around all gathered around the counter to see the outcome. They felt it was a rare privilege witnessing such a good show without having to pay a dime.

From Linda's analysis, many believed the card was stolen, others felt the card was too important to be carelessly misplaced by others, so it couldn't have been stolen, while the rest were undecided.

Kathleen and Linda were the only two people allowed to see the card reader as the information was confidential.

The card was placed in the card reader and everyone waited anxiously for the truth to be revealed.

After a minute, it was obvious from the expression on Linda's face who was saying the truth.

"This cannot be!" she shrieked.

"Does it mean the beautiful lady is the owner of the card?" Someone asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Another replied

"Anyways, just to be clear, Mr Manager, do you mind telling us who the owner of the card is?"

"Of course, it belongs to her." The Manager pointed at Kathleen and declared,

The Manager ignored Linda's outburst and demanded sternly, "Don't you think young lady, that it's high time you apologized as earlier agreed on?"

"Impossible, I cannot apologize to her. It was apparently a misunderstanding."

The people around were speechless and started scolding Linda soon afterwards.

"Nonsense! What misunderstanding? if it was discovered that the card didn't belong to her, would you have called it a misunderstanding and let it go?"

"Look at you, it turned out, you were clearly making trouble just now for the young lady. You have to apologize to her," a man who has been watching silently by the side commanded. "Quick, hurry up and apologize or I'll post this video online now. How can you be so bold in accusing others and refuse to take responsibility for your mistake."

"At this point an apology is not just enough. What she did is outright defamation of character and it's a punishable offense by law. And as an attorney to the accused, you shall be hearing from us soon." Cheryl declared in legal terms.

"What attorney? You are clearly conniving with her just to scare me."

"If that's the case, get ready for a court summons from the Moore Chambers"

"Huh? The Moore Chambers?" Mabel's eyes were as wide as saucers.

The Moore Chambers was owned by Cheryl Moore and it is known to everyone in Baltimore that she has never lost any case. Going against Cheryl Moore was tantamount to fighting a lost battle and as Linda's assistant, Mabel knew they couldn't afford such a fight, no matter how powerful the Beazell family was.

But wait, why is this lady bringing up the Moore Chambers? How does Kathleen even know them?'

Although Cheryl Moore will not stoop so low as to engage in such trivial matters, it's always wiser to play safe.

Having arrived at this conclusion, Mabel went close to Linda and whispered in her ears, "It is better you apologize here than be subjected to online criticisms and a court summons. Once words about today's events gets out, your reputation will be ruined"

After weighing the consequences, Linda finally succumbed. "Alright, I'll apologize. Is it not just an apology?"

Her Assistant breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily Linda still had some sense left in that arrogant brain of hers.

Gritting her teeth in anger, Linda muttered, "I'm sorry"

"What's with the attitude?" The man who had scolded her before sneered, "You have to be sincere for it to be acceptable. Even my three-year old will do a better job"

Everyone roared with laughter including those who were siding with Linda before.

Linda shot the man a menacing glare, that would have killed him on the spot if looks could kill.

"I am sorry." Linda yelled tautly.

"It's too late Ms Beazell." Kathleen cut in mercilessly. "From today onwards, The Beazell family is banned from shopping in J and J and their membership canceled.

"Don't go too far Kathleen, I've already apologized, what right do you have to ban my family from shopping in J and J?"

"What right?" The manager chuckled slightly.

"She happens to be the owner of J and J shopping Mall"

'Boom'

Linda: "What???"

Everyone: "???"

Cheryl: "Perfect"

Fury temporarily excused Linda's blood pumping activities and took over her vein, almost exploding in her heart. With great effort, she swallowed her frustration and berated,

"Don't think you can intimidate everyone just because you have now hooked up with President Wyatt. I don't know what despicable means you have employed to fool him, but you can't fool me easily. How can you be the owner of J and J, when everyone knows it is owned by the Wyatt Corps?"

"Are you insinuating that I am a fool?" uttered a voice as cold as steel.