Karen Stern had never truly been a natural when it came to managing the vast wealth of the Stern family. While she possessed the name and the initial capital, her business ventures often felt like a series of expensive hobbies rather than a calculated empire. Her Billion-funded portfolio had primarily focused on two things: high-end department stores and her own vanity projects.
For a long time, the department stores were her saving grace. She had poured massive investments into securing sprawling locations, building state-of-the-art production lines, and obsessing over customer flow. Eventually, the stores began to thrive. They were turning a respectable profit, and other high-end retailers began to lease space within her malls, drawn in by the consistent foot traffic.
In a rare moment of civic pride, or perhaps just a desire for her surroundings to match her own self-image, Karen had even paid to develop the outer areas surrounding her flagship mall near the sea. She had the walkways paved with premium stone, creating a large, open plaza that eventually became a hub for social activities. Small car shows and boutique funfair rides often occupied the space. Quite by accident, she had created the most popular "hangout" spot in the affluent district.
However, Karen’s restless ambition wouldn’t let her stop there. She decided to pursue her own luxury fashion line. Building a brand from scratch to compete with the world’s most established houses was an astronomical expense. She didn’t have the heritage, the history, or the built-in trust of the elite. To compensate, she poured money into the fire, hiring A-list celebrities and social media influencers to mention her brand at every opportunity.
She refused to lower her prices, fearing it would tarnish the "big brand" image she craved. The fashion line became a black hole for her finances, taking a massive dive every quarter. Normally, a failing fashion brand wouldn’t be enough to bankrupt a Stern, she had enough of a cushion to let it bleed money until the day she died. But the cracks were starting to form in her foundation, and they were appearing in her most reliable sector: her shopping malls.
Karen owned three major malls around the Notting Hill area. Her favorite was the one located on the seafront. It was the pinnacle of luxury, featuring exclusive VIP lounges with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that overlooked the ocean. Karen frequented this location often, mostly because she loved the way the staff would scramble to their feet the moment she walked through the doors. To her, it wasn’t just a business; it was her personal palace.
When she walked into the VIP reception area with her trademark confident strut, the staff immediately abandoned their posts behind the counter. They lined up with military precision and bowed in unison.
"We welcome you, Madam!" they shouted together.
But as they lifted their heads, Karen noticed something was off. Their expressions weren’t the usual masks of subservience; there was a flicker of genuine worry in their eyes.
"What’s wrong with all of you? None of you are going back to your posts," Karen ordered, her voice sharp. She turned to scan the lounge, ready to mingle with her wealthy guests, but she stopped short. While it wasn’t empty, there were noticeably fewer guests than usual.
In the world of luxury retail, fluctuations were normal, but this was different. The silence in the room was heavy.
"Madam, I think we should speak privately in one of the meeting rooms," one of the senior staff members whispered.
They headed into a private suite where a table was laid out with expensive treats and chilled champagne, amenities Karen usually insisted upon. The staff member waited until the door was shut before speaking.
"You may have noticed the VIP guest count has plummeted today, Madam. It’s because something... particular... has been happening. Or rather, it has reached a breaking point." The staff member took a nervous breath. "In the underground VIP parking garage, there have been several high-profile break-ins. Stolen vehicles. At first, it was a single incident, and we managed to settle it quietly by compensating the customer out of our own pockets."
"What?" Karen snapped, her eyes wide. "Why am I only hearing about this now? Have you contacted the police? We have high-definition cameras covering every square inch of that garage. We should be able to track them down in minutes!"
The staff member shook her head, her hands trembling. "That’s the problem, Madam. Each time a theft occurred, there was a total electronic disruption. A signal jammer, perhaps. None of the cameras recorded a single frame during the incidents. We tried to limit the information leak, but word has gotten around. Our VIP customers are terrified to park their vehicles here. They’re taking their business elsewhere because they no longer feel their assets are safe."
The stress Karen had been suppressing for weeks finally boiled over. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Why was this happening now, after years of building her reputation? This was an affluent part of the city with a heavy police presence. Targeted, high-tech heists in her personal palace felt like a direct attack.
"This is unacceptable!" Karen screamed, slamming her hand on the table. "I want extra security! I want the best tech experts in the country to sweep that garage! And find out what is happening, in the mean time check with all of the local shops, and the other shopping districts, we have the best technology and the best security, so why would anyone go for us, over them!"
"Unfortunately, Madam," the staff member said, her voice dropping even lower, "there are even more issues. The thefts are only the beginning."
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