Chapter 209
Samantha didn’t waste time. She took out her phone, found the mall manager’s number, and made the call right in front of everyone.
“The shop at B2-11. I want their brand out of SKC by ten tonight.”
The moment those words left her mouth, the sales associates froze. Their eyes went wide, faces draining of color. SKC wasn’t just any mall. It was the crown jewel of Cabinda, maybe even the whole country, known around the world for luxury and style. Brands dreamed of getting in. Once you made it, your name was set. Getting kicked out meant disaster, starting with a ruined reputation.
Olivia and her mother, Elizabeth, could hardly believe what they were hearing. The Main family had jumped through every hoop just to get Olivia this endorsement deal. They’d spent a fortune, all so Olivia could ride the wave after winning her piano competition. Now, after all that work and all that money, the brand was about to be tossed out. Suddenly, their big win was worthless. Instead of glory, all they got was a washed-up brand and a ton of regret. The anger between mother and daughter was almost electric.
Was Samantha really doing all this for Charlotte? Andrew liked her, and now Samantha was clearly on her side too. With both of Cabinda’s most powerful families tied to Charlotte, Olivia felt her heart sink.
She glanced over at Charlotte, who was sprawled out on the sofa, phone in hand, texting someone. There was a gentle softness in her expression, something Olivia had never seen before.
Gentle? Ever since Charlotte came back from the countryside, she’d been nothing but cold and distant, her face set in stone. She never let her guard down, not for anyone. Was she really chatting with that man?
The more Olivia thought about it, the more upset she became. She’d seen Charlotte get into a fancy car that night, but she hadn’t seen the driver’s face. Was he some old guy? With Charlotte’s looks, she could have anyone she wanted. Olivia knew she was attractive too, so why did she keep coming up short against a so-called country girl?
Her hand curled tighter at her side, nails digging into her palm, eyes filling with bitterness.
Not long after, the brand manager arrived at SKC, practically running inside after hearing about the crisis.
“Samantha!” he called, breathless. The sight of the mall’s owner stepping in herself made his stomach drop.
“Samantha, was it something my
staff did?” he asked, desperate to fix things. “If they offended you, I apologize on their behalf if they got kicked out, the brand was finished.
One of the sales associates stammered, “Manager, we didn’t—” waving her hands in panic.
Samantha shut it down immediately. “This isn’t about your staff,” she said, her voice icy. “Your brand just doesn’t fit SKC anymore.”
The manager blinked, sweat beading on his forehead. “Doesn’t fit?” He didn’t understand.
.n
Samantha’s lips curled into a cold smile as she glanced at Olivia. “Let me spell it out. Every brand in SKC is endorsed by top-tier celebrities, either tocal or international. Your brand went with some nobody as its ambassador She let out a short, humorless laugh. “That’s like putting a bargain store next to a luxury boutique. Your shop is dragging down the whole mall.”
No one in the room could argue with that. As harsh as it was, everyone knew that’s
how SKC had kept its spot at the top. That was its secret to global fame.
The manager turned to Elizabeth, his brow furrowed. “We agreed the endorsement would be announced after Olivia won the competition. You broke the contract and trashed our brand’s image His voice was sharp and cold. “Elizabeth, expect a court summons. Get ready to pay damages.”
“I—” Elizabeth’s face went pale. She looked at Samantha, her voice trembling. “But
if you end our lease without warning, isn’t SKC breaking the contract too?”