The café remained silent, all eyes shifting from the glass door to Mrs. Valarie, who was still fuming with pride and anger.
Mrs. Valarie exhaled heavily, straightened her blouse, and turned toward Isabella.
“Well,” she said coldly, “I believe you’ve embarrassed yourself enough. You’ll have to leave. I can’t keep a worker who doesn’t respect authority.”
Isabella’s heart sank. Her voice trembled as she dropped to her knees.
“Please, ma… please don’t send me away. I beg you,” she said, tears spilling freely down her cheeks.
Mrs. Valarie rolled her eyes. “Get up, Isabella. It’s too late. I don’t run a charity here.”
“I have nowhere to go,” Isabella cried. “Please, ma. I’ll do better. I’ll work extra hours. Just don’t sack me.”
The other girls behind the counter burst into laughter.
“Ah
