Free Web NovelChapter 42: 42: Humiliation (4)
Galen’s face went white.
"My lady, that cannot be."
Celia’s eyes became sharper.
"Are you saying I cannot recognize the value of a spell circle?"
Galen immediately lowered his head. "No, my lady. I would never mean that."
"You already insulted the sellers, threw the paper on the ground, called the spell fake, and ordered guards to attack them. Now you are questioning my judgment too." Celia’s voice did not rise, but each word made Galen shrink. "You are very brave today, Manager Galen. Did someone promise you a promotion for destroying my mood before noon?"
The staff woman lowered her head quickly.
Galen trembled. "My lady, I only thought they were trying to deceive the shop. I wanted to protect House Marovain."
Celia looked at the papers still scattered on the floor.
"You wanted to protect House Marovain by throwing a valuable spell on the ground like trash?"
Galen had no answer.
Celia pointed at the floor.
"Pick up the rest of the pages."
Galen froze.
"My lady?"
"Did your ears also lose value along with your eyes? I said pick them up."
Galen’s face became red from shame. He was the manager of the branch shop. He was used to workers bowing to him, customers flattering him, and guards listening to his orders. Now Celia was making him pick up pages from the ground like a servant in front of everyone.
But he did not dare refuse.
He slowly crawled forward and picked up one page, then another. His body still hurt from Lucard’s kick, so each movement was painful. Jake watched him with serious eyes and whispered to Jenny, "He looks like a fat crab."
Jenny immediately pressed one hand over Jake’s mouth.
Celia heard it.
Lucard heard it too.
Peter looked away.
Galen did not hear it clearly, which was lucky for Jake and probably also for Galen’s remaining dignity. He picked up the pages and handed them to Celia with both hands.
Celia took them and checked quickly that all four pages were there.
Then she looked at Galen again.
"Apologize."
Galen’s body stiffened.
The staff woman looked even more panicked.
Galen stared at Lucard, then at Jenny. His pride clearly resisted. But he was not stupid enough to resist Celia in front of the guards. House Marovain did not tolerate branch managers who embarrassed the main line. His position looked good in front of small customers, but in front of Celia, he was nothing more than a hired dog with clean clothes.
He lowered his head.
"I apologize," Galen said through clenched teeth.
Lucard looked at him.
"That sounded like something stuck in your throat."
Galen’s eyes flashed with anger, but he did not raise his head.
Jenny quickly stepped forward before Lucard could make things worse. "We accept the apology."
Lucard glanced at her.
Jenny gave him a look that said not to start another fight inside the Marovain shop.
Lucard ignored the look, but he did not push further yet.
Celia watched the small exchange with interest.
Then she looked at Lucard and said, "Let us go to a VIP room and discuss the purchase price."
Jenny’s eyes brightened slightly. If House Marovain wanted to discuss price, that meant the spell had real value. Peter also looked relieved. This could finally become their chance to get money and protection.
But Lucard did not move.
Celia noticed. "Is there a problem?"
Lucard looked at Galen and the staff woman.
"Yes."
Celia raised one eyebrow.
Lucard said, "Before that, I want that stupid staff member and this manager thrown out of my sight. Otherwise, we are leaving."
The third floor became silent again.
Galen’s face twisted. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
"How dare you?" he shouted before Celia could respond. "I am the manager of this shop. Do you think you can order House Marovain around because you brought one spell?"
The staff woman also looked at Lucard with hatred. "You attacked the manager and still dare to demand more?"
Lucard looked at Galen without expression.
"You were on the ground five breaths ago. Do not speak as if the floor is not still warm from your knees."
Jake almost laughed, but Jenny gave him a warning look.
Celia raised one hand.
Galen immediately stopped.
She looked at him with cold eyes.
"Go wait in your office. I will talk to you after this matter is over."
Galen looked relieved for a moment. Being sent to the office was better than being punished directly. He bowed quickly.
"Yes, my lady."
Then Celia looked at the staff woman.
"As for her, she is fired."
The staff woman froze. freewёbnoνel.com
Her face became white. "My lady?"
Celia did not repeat herself immediately. She looked at the woman from head to toe.
"A staff member who cannot judge customers properly, cannot control her tone, twists information to her superior, and creates conflict in front of valuable sellers is useless. House Marovain does not pay useless people to stand on the third floor."
The staff woman panicked.
"My lady, please. I have served this branch for two years. Manager Galen can speak for me."
Celia’s lips curved slightly.
"That is part of your problem."
Galen’s body stiffened.
The staff woman realized she had made another mistake. Her relationship with Galen was not a secret in the shop, but speaking like that in front of Celia was stupid. It made it clear she relied on Galen more than her actual ability.
Celia looked at the guards.
"Throw her out of the building. Do not let her return to any Marovain branch without written permission from the main office."
The staff woman’s eyes filled with tears.
"No, my lady. Please. I cannot lose this position."
Two guards stepped forward and grabbed her arms.
She struggled. "Manager Galen. Say something. Please."
Galen did not move.
His face was ugly, but he said nothing. He knew speaking for her now would only drag him deeper. The staff woman saw that, and her tears turned into anger.
"You said you would protect me."
Galen looked away.
