The receptionist staggered backward, her hand glued to her burning red cheek as she struggled to keep her balance on the polished floor. The loud crack of the slap echoed through the building, so sharp it set off a faint vibration in the glass display cases nearby. She stared at the manager with total, dazed confusion, her mind clearly resetting from the sheer impact of the blow.
"Is... is there something wrong, ma'am?" she stammered, her voice trembling as she tried to force a calm tone, acting as though she had done nothing wrong.
The general manager looked as if she were on the verge of a sudden heart attack. Her chest heaved frantically, her eyes wide with pure, unadulterated terror as cold sweat broke out across her forehead.
"Do you even know who that is?" the manager shouted, her
