Claudia was still being scolded—and occasionally swatted—by the furious store owner. The scene was so chaotic it felt almost theatrical, like a stage play where everyone forgot their lines but remembered all their emotions.
Watching Claudia shrink under the verbal assault, Gemma Coen finally couldn’t stand it. She bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then hurried toward Ace Kane.
“Mr. Kane…” she began carefully, lowering her voice, “could you… maybe help her out a little? Please?”
Ace raised an eyebrow.
“This store’s monthly rent is seven hundred dollars,” he said calmly. “Ten times that is seven thousand. Over three years, that’s roughly two hundred fifty-two thousand.”
Then he turned his gaze toward Gemma, half-smiling.
“So tell me—one sentence from you is worth the price of an Aud
