Chapter 88: A Set Up
The moment the alarm went off inside the shop, every customer turned their head in Max’s direction. Even people outside in the mall paused, their attention caught by the sound. Some pressed up against the glass windows, while others slowed their pace to gawk. Heads shook visibly, and whispers quickly spread among strangers, trading thoughts like gossip at a dinner table.
Even from inside the store, judgment came swift.
"It’s always the ones you suspect," one older woman muttered under her breath. "They should’ve just turned him away at the door."
"You want to search me?" Max asked, glaring at the two security guards in front of him. "Pretty sure it’s your machine that’s broken."
Without waiting for a reply, Max turned and stepped through the exit again.
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.
The alarm blared once more. The guards immediately shifted, stepping in front of him with synchronized precision, blocking the exit entirely.
"Fine, search me then," Max said, jaw tight. He was already irritated, now the entire shop was making it worse.
He moved back inside, standing still as one of the guards began to frisk him. They patted him down quickly, but found nothing. Then came the order to empty his pockets. Max complied, wallet, phone, keys, laid out on a nearby counter. Still nothing suspicious.
The search grew more thorough. The second guard stepped in, checking the seams of his clothes and lining of his hoodie.
And then, just as Max shifted slightly, one of them reached into the hood of his hoodie and pulled something out.
A small ring.
Silver, clean, and with a red jewel glinting under the store lights.
"Well, will you look at that?" one of the guards said, holding the sparkling item up for nearly everyone in the store to see. "Guess the machine wasn’t broken after all."
"What the—? That was in my hood. How did that even get there?" Max asked, staring at the ring in disbelief.
"Yes, I suppose it just magically got there," the guard replied, shaking his head with a sarcastic grin.
"Can you calm down with the accusations for a second?" Max shot back. "All of your jewelry is locked behind glass cabinets. I couldn’t take anything even if I wanted to. The only people with keys are your employees."
"You seem pretty observant for someone who didn’t steal anything," the guard said, stepping closer. "Come on. You’re coming to the back while we call the authorities."
With their bulky frames closing in, Max found himself being practically herded toward the back room.
"Don’t you guys have cameras or something? Where’s the proof I took anything?" Max asked, sighing as he still chose to follow along.
As he walked, he spotted Louise standing off to the side, arms folded across her chest and a smug smile stretching across her face.
"If you can’t afford the items, maybe don’t try to steal them," she said, voice loud enough for others to hear. "Why don’t you get a real job like the rest of us?"
In that moment, a memory flashed in Max’s mind, Louise getting uncomfortably close to him from behind earlier. It had felt weird at the time... but now?
It couldn’t be... could it? Max thought, a chill creeping up his spine.
"I can’t believe your parents raised you to be like this. They must be ashamed to have a kid like you," Louise said, arms still crossed.
" B* tch!" Max snapped. "Talking about my parents... is not something you want to do."
His eyes locked onto hers, sharp and wild like a beast ready to pounce. Even Louise flinched, gulping as she saw the rage burning in his glare while he was escorted into the back room. She didn’t say another word.
Claire quickly rushed over to her friend’s side.
"What was that about? His eyes, he looked like he was going to murder you," Claire said, wide-eyed.
"Yeah... those types? All bark, no bite," Louise replied, brushing it off. "He’ll be dealt with anyway. Come on. I think it’s time for our lunch break. Actually, after that mess, I think we deserve to take it a little early."
Claire nodded, and the two of them quickly grabbed their things, heading toward the exit of the shop.
"Don’t worry though, Louise," Claire added. "If that guy did try anything, Tom would’ve handled it. He is part of the security team for a reason."
Meanwhile, Max had been led to the back of the store, into what looked like the manager’s office. The first thing he noticed was the wall of security monitors blinking above a desk.
Well, at least those cameras will prove my innocence, Max thought.
"Take a seat, right here," one of the men said. His name badge read Tom across the front.
Max sat down without argument.
Then, right in front of him, Tom pulled out his phone and began to dial.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Max asked, eyeing the phone in Tom’s hand.
"What do you think I’m doing? I’m calling the police to make a report," Tom replied coldly. "This isn’t some kids’ candy store. What you did was a serious crime. So I’ll let them handle the situation."
"You can’t be serious," Max replied, disbelief all over his face. "This whole thing is ridiculous. I’ll just pay for the damn ring, I had no reason to steal it in the first place!"
The man standing to Tom’s right snickered.
"Oh really? You think you can just pay for it now? If you could afford it, you wouldn’t have tried to steal it in the first place. You’re not the first kid to try this stunt, you know."
Max clenched his fists in his lap, trying hard to breathe. He could feel the anger bubbling, but he remembered Aron’s words. Today would be full of people trying to push him, trying to make him snap. This, he realized, was a perfect test. He needed to not solve this with his fists.
"You’ve got cameras all over that shop," Max said, trying to keep his voice level. "Check the footage. I guarantee you’ll see I didn’t take anything. In fact, I bet you’ll see one of your own workers setting me up."
Tom turned slowly, eyes narrowing as he glanced at the wall of monitors. They were currently streaming live footage from the shop. He looked down at the ring in his hand, then turned back to the screens and focused in on the cabinet it had come from.
Tom continued dialing, raising the phone to his ear.
"What are you doing?!" Max said, stepping forward. "Look at the camera!"
Tom didn’t even flinch. He just stood there, waiting for the call to connect.
"I said look at the camera!"
The ringing on the line clearly picked up on the other end, and that was the last straw for Max.
He shot up from his seat, grabbed Tom by the tie, yanked him forward, and slammed a heavy punch straight into his face.
Before the second guard could even react, Max spun and kicked him hard, right between the legs. The man dropped with a gasp, and Max followed it up with a brutal uppercut to his jaw. With both men stunned, Max grabbed Tom again, this time by the back of the head.
"I told you to look at the damn camera!" Max shouted.
He drove Tom’s head straight into the display screen, the monitor cracking apart on impact. Glass and plastic shattered, sparks flickering for a moment. Max stood over the two men on the floor, fists trembling.
"Damn it..." he muttered through clenched teeth.
Meanwhile, back in the parking garage, Aron waited patiently near the car. Max still had a little time before the deadline they’d agreed on, but Aron couldn’t help the growing worry in his chest.
"Am I overthinking this? It’s like he said, just a quick shopping trip. Nothing should go wrong... right?" Aron thought.
Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He saw the name flash on screen, and answered it without hesitation.
"Aron," Max’s voice came through, a little out of breath. "I’ve got a situation. I could use your help... cleaning it up."