CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 292: ENCOUNTERING STORE FRAUD

"Cousin, what are you doing here?"

Liu Yao was both surprised and delighted, quickly running to Ye Ningwan’s side to ask.

Ye Ningwan slightly lifted her chin, pointing to the arrogant sales clerk, and asked Liu Yao, "What’s going on?"

Liu Yao, with a tearful face, said aggrievedly, "I came here with Sister Ye Ya and a few friends to shop. Just now, Sister Ye Ya accidentally scratched a dress while trying it on. Now, they’re demanding compensation from us."

"If you’re the ones who damaged it, then it’s your fault. Whether compensating or purchasing, it’s the right thing to do," said Ye Ningwan.

"But... but the dress was clearly hanging in the 50% off area, priced at eight thousand eight hundred, and now they’re demanding full price compensation, sixteen thousand, it’s too expensive, we can’t afford that much. It also doesn’t seem reasonable," Liu Yao whispered in explanation.

Ye Ningwan chuckled, turning to the sales clerk and asked, "Is what my sister said true? That because the dress was damaged, even buying it will not be at the discounted price you mentioned earlier, but at full price?"

The sales clerk arrogantly replied, "This dress was originally sold at full price, it was just placed in the discount area by the previous customer after trying it on. I’m not extorting you, if you don’t believe me, feel free to check there, there’s another one of the same style in the full-price section."

Ye Ya lowered her head in guilt.

At the time, she indeed didn’t carefully inquire whether the dress was on special offer before trying it on, and didn’t expect such bad luck.

Seeing Ye Ya lower her head, the clerk became even more arrogant, saying, "If you can’t afford it, don’t shop in our store. Can’t even buy a dress at full price, what’s the point of coming here?"

"This clearly also involves your responsibility, it’s not entirely ours," Liu Yao continued to reason.

"What? You still think it’s our responsibility? Either purchase it at the full price or pay a hefty compensation, the choice is yours. If you’re unwilling to choose, then we have no choice but to call the police," the sales clerk threatened them, seeing they were just young girls.

Zhan Hanjue remained outside without entering.

Wu, hearing the clerk’s words, was dumbfounded and quietly asked, "Boss, should I go in?"

If there were a man present, this clerk wouldn’t dare act so arrogant.

Zhan Hanjue shook his head, "No need, Wanwan will handle it."

After speaking, he gazed at Ye Ningwan with gentle eyes.

His Wanwan was so smart, how could she not handle such a trivial matter?

Sure enough, Ye Ningwan curled up her lips, smiling as she said, "What bold words, since you say you’ll call the police, go ahead! On second thought, it might be better if I make the call myself."

With that, she actually took out her phone and called the police.

The sales clerk didn’t expect she’d really call the police and panicked, "You’re really unreasonable—when the police come, how are we supposed to do business?"

"Do business? Just close up for the day," Ye Ningwan ordered, having Zhan Hanjue and Wu come in and shut the door.

The sales clerk wasn’t expecting Ye Ningwan to have such a temper and was both angry and furious, immediately calling for the mall security and manager.

"How dare you shut our store without permission? Just wait! You will have to bear legal responsibility."

"Cousin, let’s not do this, we can chip in some money and just buy the dress," Liu Yao hadn’t anticipated Ye Ningwan would have the store closed and feared making a big scene, quickly whispering.

Ye Ningwan scolded her, "Take responsibility where it’s due, and stop pretending to be generous where it’s not. Is sixteen thousand so little? Pulling funds together, what will you eat afterward, air?"

"Ye Ningwan, stop acting so noble, lecturing us from the moral high ground. You’re wealthy, aren’t you? If you have the means, just pay for us and settle this matter," Ye Ya retorted.

"Ye Ya, I am wealthy, and not only could I pay for this dress, I could buy them all for you, or even this store. But I spend money at my discretion. Being a sucker is not something I’d choose to do. I have a brain, why do something so foolish?" Ye Ningwan chuckled in rebuttal.

Her words made it clear she was mocking Ye Ya’s lack of intelligence.

Ye Ya bit her lip in anger but couldn’t do anything to Ye Ningwan.

Zhan Hanjue was still watching from the side. Arguing might be okay, but if she did anything out of line, Zhan Hanjue wouldn’t let her off.

Soon enough, the mall’s security and manager arrived.

The manager stepped in and asked Zhan Hanjue to present their membership card.

Members must register with their real name, and unless they’re someone very influential, the mall generally sides with the vendor. After all, vendors are their lifeblood, paying high monthly rent. First and foremost, they would stand on the business’s side.

"Show them the membership card," Zhan Hanjue said.

Wu took out their membership card.

The manager, upon seeing it, realized it was a premium membership card.

Thus, he called human resources to inquire who owned this card.

He was informed that it was opened by someone named Chen Tan, and asked what Chen Tan did.

When issuing the card, customers’ identity information must be provided.

"He’s an assistant executive at Zhan Group," the HR replied.

Just an assistant executive of the group.

Though the Zhan Group was not to be trifled with, he was only an assistant executive.

The mall had investments from the Feng Group too, so they didn’t fear offending an assistant executive.

"Are you Mr. Chen Tan? Mr. Chen, you’re with a large corporation, surely you understand that in such situations, it’s best to pay and move on. If you make a fuss and actually call the police, it disrupts business for the store and affects you as well. Look, these young ladies are watching, too. I heard your Zhan Group pays well, why not just pay up and let this all simmer down. I’ll even give you a few shopping vouchers afterward to make up for this incident," the manager said, his tone fairly courteous but clearly favoring the vendor.

Ye Ningwan, not waiting for Zhan Hanjue to speak, addressed the mall manager, "It’s no use talking to him, I’ve got the money, so he can’t settle it. We can’t let it all just go away, either. Besides, it’s pointless talking to me; I’m not interested in a few vouchers. Let’s wait for the police! Once they arrive, we’ll see how this matter should be resolved."

"Miss, you have such beauty and poise, surely you’re not just anyone. Why are you so stubborn over a minor matter? Paying resolves it without involving the police, which would only waste their resources," the manager criticized.

Ye Ningwan let out a soft laugh, "You’re aware of resource waste, then why not just resolve this? Yes, it’s our fault for damaging the clothes. But misplacement in a discount area without immediate reorganization is also this store’s mistake. Expecting customers to bear the cost for the staff’s errors, this store never planned to do business properly. If they don’t want to operate well, why fear the police interfering?"