"Um, are you sure you saw that correctly? There are five zeros in that compensation amount."
'That's a six-figure sum we're talking about. Is she really giving in that easily?'
The shop owner tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her voice was barely a whisper as she lowered her head in embarrassment. "Miss Thorne, I saw it clearly. What happened with the incense bag was my fault."
She wore a pure white, ruffled dress, her hair tucked behind her ears. She had an oval face, large eyes, and a slight furrow in her brow, looking exactly like the innocent, damsel-in-distress heroine of a novel.
For some reason, Shirley Thorne felt like she was the villain, using her power to bully the weak.
'Was she the villain in some novel?'
"Miss Thorne?"
When the damsel saw she wasn't speaking, she anxiously wrung her hands, her face etched with unease.
"Oh, good, as long as you're clear on that. And how should I address you, miss?"
