Chapter 2

Persistent as I was, I met the manager's gaze head-on, ready to speak, when the clerk shoved my head brutally down against the floor. "Our manager said he doesn't know you. Speak another word, and I'll cut off your hand!"

My forehead buzzed with electrifying pain. My body collapsed to the ground, a wave of dizziness crashing over me so hard I couldn't even speak.

"Mr. Paxton, we've got no idea how this thief acquired information about our customers. He came here, trying to impersonate someone and steal the necklace. You can't trust anything he says!"

The manager, whose name tag read "Nicholas Paxton", glanced at me with an indifference reserved for a dead stranger. "Have I taught you nothing about dealing with people like this? Beat them up and then call the police!"

His words landed like a verdict. I soldiered on through the dizziness and excruciating pain and used all my strength to yell, "You called and told me to drop by the store yesterday! Doesn't that ring a bell?"

"This dude really needs to be put in his place." The clerk spat on the ground near me, disdainful as he mocked, "As I said, our manager only calls VVIPs on his private line. Who the hell do you think you are?"

The irritated Nicholas waved dismissively. "What are you all standing around for? Call the cops already! Ms. Quinn is coming today, and if this trash runs into her, you can all kiss your jobs goodbye!"

I couldn't accept being framed like this.

Hearing him mention "Ms. Quinn" again, I quickly shouted, "Madeline Quinn—my wife is Madeline Quinn! That necklace belongs to her. You can check the system records if you don't believe me!"

Nicholas froze in place. For a second, I thought he might've remembered our phone call yesterday, or Madeline's order, perhaps even gearing up for an apology.

Instead, he simply sneered at me. "You went as far as finding out her name, yet you still have no idea where you've stumbled into, huh?"

His sharp leather shoe suddenly landed on my fingers. "You see this entire store? It belongs to her. And as her liaison officer, don't you think I'd know if she was married?"

Wait, what? Wasn't Madeline working three jobs a day to make ends meet, just like me? Since when did she own a luxury jewelry boutique?

"No way! You're lying!"

I had lost it. I tried to get up from the floor, but Nicholas cruelly ground his heel into my fingers, sending a wave of searing pain through my entire body.

"Spreading lies about Ms. Quinn, huh? You'll be hearing from our lawyers soon," the clerk added with a sneer, piling on while I was down.

Suddenly, a furious voice sliced through the tension. "Who the hell do you think you are, impersonating me?"

Then, the next second, I was yanked up by the collar and knocked sideways with a crisp slap. Buzzing rang in my ears, and instant pain bloomed across my cheek.

"Who are you? What right do you have to hit me?" I hissed, my bloodshot eyes fixed on the man who had appeared from nowhere.

"Who am I? Just the fact that I'm Maddie's husband gives me all the reasons to beat you up, loser!"

The clerk fanned the flames from the sideline. "Mr. Lockley, he's the thief! He'd somehow found out about the necklace Ms. Quinn custom-made for you and tried to steal it!"

Mr. Lockley—whose name was probably something as bland as his personality, like Jacob—clung to my collar and flashed me a fierce glare. "Wow. Impersonating me to steal a necklace? That's a first."

Noisy whispers and chatter erupted in that instant.

"Is this how people steal nowadays? By stealing our identity, too?"

"Oh my gosh. Someone, call the cops already!"

"If anyone asks me, I'm for chopping his hand."

I fought back the choking feeling and said through gritted teeth, "I'm not a thief! I'm Madeline's husband!"

Jacob burst into a tearful laughter. He pulled out his phone and called someone. "Hey, babe."

His once fierce voice turned slick and syrupy. "Come to the boutique real quick. A thief just tried stealing the gift you were supposed to give me. And get this—he claims he's your husband and even accused me of being the other man!

"He even threatened to make you divorce me and smash up the shop. So arrogant, I know…"

After hanging up, he wiped the grin off his stupid face and looked at me with fake pity. "When my wifey gets here, I promise I'll tear you apart right before her."