Chapter 2 Tears of the Galaxy
The store manager, a shrewd middle-aged woman, hurried over with practiced efficiency, her face arranged in a professional smile that didn't reach her eyes. She exchanged a knowing glance with Susan.
"Of course, Miss Simmons. I'll wrap it up for you right away!" she gushed, already reaching for the bag.
"Wait." Sophia's voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the air like a blade of ice, freezing the manager's hand mid-motion. "Your store has security cameras, doesn't it? Let's check the footage to see who asked for the bag first."
The smile on the manager's face faltered momentarily before she adopted a look of rehearsed regret.
"Oh dear, what terrible timing. Our surveillance system broke down this morning. We haven't had a chance to get it fixed yet." Her tone was sincere, but her eyes darted nervously.
The corner of Sophia's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. Without acknowledging either the manager or Susan's triumphant smirk, she pulled out her phone. Her slender fingers danced across the screen with practiced precision before tapping it decisively.
Just then, measured footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Henry, having finished his paperwork and still waiting for his delayed car, had decided to check on one of the Caldwell Corporation's retail locations to kill time. He rarely visited the stores personally, but today's circumstances were exceptional.
His tall figure filled the doorway as he surveyed the interior, immediately noticing the tense tableau at the counter.
"Henry! What a surprise!" Susan's voice instantly transformed into honeyed sweetness as she swayed toward him. "You're just in time to settle this. This girl is trying to steal the bag I wanted!"
Henry subtly sidestepped Susan's approach, his gaze moving past her to land on Sophia.
The young woman was casually pocketing her phone, her doll-like face still remarkably expressionless as she looked up at him with those clear eyes that somehow managed to convey both innocence and a disconcerting omniscience.
"What a coincidence," Sophia said, her voice sweet yet oddly flat as her penetrating gaze assessed Henry. "You're the owner?"
Henry nodded. "I am. What seems to be the problem?"
Rather than answering his question directly, Sophia pointed toward the store's centerpiece—a diamond necklace displayed in a bulletproof case under dramatic spotlighting, clearly the crown jewel of the collection.
"Your store has its merchandise wrong."
Both Henry and Susan stared in confusion. Susan let out an exaggerated laugh. "Are you insane? That's the famous 'Tears of the Galaxy'! The only one in all of Virensia!"
"What would someone like you know about it?" she continued with a sneer. "It's a priceless authentic diamond with international certification!"
The manager quickly chimed in, though her voice had tightened noticeably. "Indeed, Mr. Caldwell! This necklace is our flagship piece, approved by headquarters!"
Sophia's mocking smile deepened. "Certification? Certificate number GD12345, which according to the GIA database should correspond to a 15-carat, D-color, FL clarity pear-shaped diamond with perfect hearts and arrows cut."
She delivered each word with the precision of a marksman, her gaze piercing through the glass. "But this one... I'd estimate it's barely 14.5 carats, and under strong light, you can detect a faint blue fluorescence—a telltale sign of HPHT synthetic diamond treatment."
She paused, her gaze slicing through the now-pallid manager. "Six months ago, I took an anonymous commission to track a batch of high-end counterfeit jewelry using stolen certificates. One piece matched the characteristics of this so-called 'Tears of the Galaxy' perfectly."
"The certificate is genuine, Mr. Caldwell, but the diamond is a sophisticated fake. In a store where even the centerpiece can be swapped with a counterfeit, I'm hardly surprised that security cameras conveniently 'break down' on command."
Before anyone could respond, Sophia turned her phone screen toward Henry and Susan.
The display showed multiple angles of the store's live security feed, including a replay of the last few minutes—capturing in high definition how Susan had pushed Sophia's hand away and the manager's complicit nod before lying about the broken cameras.
The color drained from Susan's face as she stood speechless, mouth agape. The manager collapsed onto the polished marble floor, ashen-faced and trembling.
Henry's gaze locked onto the security footage on Sophia's phone, then darted to the diamond necklace—still brilliant under the lights but now shadowed by deception.
Finally, his eyes fixed on Sophia with an intensity that betrayed his shock, scrutiny, and a spark of undeniable fascination.
Who was she?
This level of perception, technical skill, and composure under pressure was extraordinary.
Not only could she identify a sophisticated counterfeit diamond with proper certification at a glance, but she had also effortlessly hacked into his store's supposedly impenetrable security system in seconds.
Suddenly, it clicked—this explained how she'd so easily manipulated the charging system at the airport.
This "girl" was far more than she appeared; she had to be an elite hacker.
"I apologize," Henry said, his deep voice carrying undeniable authority. "Our management has clearly been negligent. You have my sincere regrets."
He turned to the manager with cold fury. "Package this bag for the young lady—it's on me. As for the counterfeit piece and the 'malfunctioning' cameras, I want a full investigation. Everyone involved will be held accountable."
"Henry!" Susan attempted to whine her way back into his good graces.
Henry's gaze shifted to her, instantly becoming distant and weighted with unspoken warning. "Susan, if I'm not mistaken, Thomas is coming to meet you soon, isn't he? Are you sure you want him to see you like this? Continuing this scene won't do your 'public image' any favors."
Susan froze as if someone had gripped her throat, all complaints dying before they could escape. Her face contorted with barely contained rage as she snatched up her purse, shot Sophia a venomous glare, and stormed out.
Sophia accepted the carefully wrapped package from the nervous sales assistant, holding it casually.
"I'll take it," she said, looking at Henry with that same evaluating gaze. "But for a flagship store to have a counterfeit centerpiece, dysfunctional security, collusive staff, and bullying tactics? Full of vulnerabilities yet claiming to be Virensia's finest? Pathetic."
She shook her head slightly, her disdain unmistakable, then turned and walked away without giving Henry any chance to explain.
Henry remained rooted to the spot, Sophia's parting words hammering at his consciousness.
Far from feeling offended, he found himself intrigued.
For the first time in his measured, calculated life, he felt an overwhelming urge to pursue, to discover more about this enigmatic young woman who had waltzed into his world.