Chapter 4

That night, I had our store manager double-check that every piece of high-value inventory was locked safely in the vault.

The only items left in the display cases were a few coded display samples, a handful of scratched scrap-gold pieces waiting to be melted down, and empty velvet gift boxes.

We took clear, timestamped photos of every serial number, weight, position, and security camera angle.

The alarm system was armed.

The live security feed was hooked directly to my phone.

I also sent a text to our legal counsel, Mr. Hayes.

"If someone uses a stolen key to open our store without permission and advertises a fake promotion to the public, how should we proceed?"

Mr. Hayes replied within minutes:

"Preserve all evidence of the key theft, entryway surveillance, livestream recordings, foot traffic, and inventory movement."

"Do not confront them head-on. If necessary, call the police immediately."

Staring at the screen, I slowly let out a breath.

Kelsey, you better not do what I think you're going to do.

Deep down, though, I knew she couldn't resist.

At ten o'clock the next morning, I saw Kelsey go live on TikTok.

Dressed in an innocent white sundress with delicate, teary-eyed makeup, she stood right inside our boutique, pointing her phone camera at the glass counters.

"People have been attacking me non-stop for days, saying Kelsey's deals are fake and that I lied to my followers."

"Well, I'm here today to prove to you that I didn't!"

"Can you guys see this? This is all one hundred percent real gold!"

"Anyone who comes to the store right now and says the secret code from my stream gets to claim anything for one dollar!"

"Supplies are limited, first come, first served!"

I stared at her face on my screen.

She was smiling—not a hint of remorse, just the sickening smugness of someone who thought she'd pulled off the ultimate gamble.

Within thirty minutes, our shop was swarming with people.

Some were filming their own TikToks, some were leaning over the glass trying to snatch up pieces, and others were shoving one-dollar payment confirmations right into Kelsey's lens. Kelsey had put her own payment QR code on the counter.

"I paid!"

"I want this gold ring!"

"I got one! This gold bead is mine!"

None of our staff were there.

Yet Kelsey stood behind the cash register, acting like she owned the place.

"Don't push, guys! One at a time!"

"Don't worry, Kelsey always keeps her word!"

"I won't let anyone walk away empty-handed today!"

A man picked up an empty jewelry box and frowned. "Where's the gold bar that goes in here?"

Kelsey froze for a split second before smoothly spinning a lie.

"It's probably in the safe! Just take whatever is out on display for now!"

Another woman shoved a plain gold band into her purse.

"It's only a dollar anyway, I scanned the code!"

Kelsey didn't stop her. She just beamed at her camera.

"See that, guys? The deal is totally real!"

"Everyone who called me a scammer can shut their mouths now!"

Her viewer count surged past one hundred thousand.

The comments were practically worshipping her.

[Kelsey is so generous!]

[This is what a real influencer looks like.]

[Haters need to apologize right now!]

[Where is this? I'm getting in my car right now!]

By 11:20 AM, Kelsey's stream hit peak traffic.

Customers clutching their "one-dollar bargains" were cheering, ready to walk out the front door.

Right then, the piercing wail of police sirens echoed from the street outside.

"Nobody move!"

"Officers have received a report of illegal trespassing and suspected grand larceny at this location."

"Everyone stay where you are and cooperate with the investigation!"