Marcus leaned over the marble top and glared at Toby with cold, narrowed eyes. He did not care that the little girl was crying or that the boy looked completely exhausted from walking in the freezing snow. To Marcus, these poor children were nothing more than an ugly distraction that might scare away his wealthy customers. He tapped his long fingers impatiently on the glass display case, pointing toward the front door with a sneer.
Marcus: Seventy-seven cents will not even buy you a paper cup here, kid!
Toby: Please mister, even half a cup of milk would help her stop crying.
Marcus: I said no! Get out of here right now before I call the police!
Lily let out a loud sob, hiding her face against Toby's neck as the harsh voice scared her. Toby felt fresh tears well up in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall because he wanted to be strong for his baby sister. He took one step backward, feeling the cold air near the door hitting his back again. He knew if they went back outside empty handed, he would have no way to feed Lily for the rest of the cold day.
Toby: We do not want any trouble, sir. My mom always told me good people help those in need.
Marcus: Your mom should have taught you not to beg in luxury shops!
The clerk slammed his hand down on the counter with a loud bang that made Toby jump back in fear. Customers near the back of the store turned around to look, whispering among themselves but doing nothing to stop the loud confrontation. Marcus felt powerful standing behind his high counter, enjoying the way he could order the poor children around. He reached under the register, grabbing the landline phone and lifting the receiver to his ear with a smug grin on his face.
Marcus: I am calling the cops to drag you away for trespassing!
Toby's heart pounded wildly in his chest like a trapped bird. The thought of police officers taking him away from his little sister filled him with absolute terror. They had no home to return to since their cruel stepfather kicked them out of their family house two weeks ago. If the police arrived, they would separate him from Lily and put them into different foster homes across the state. Toby clutched Lily tighter, his knuckles turning white as he prepared to run out into the snow storm.
Toby: No, please do not call them! We are leaving right now!
Marcus: Too late kid, you should have listened to me the first time!
Before Marcus could dial the numbers, heavy footsteps echoed rapidly from the back kitchen hallway. The heavy wooden door swung open with a bang, and an elderly man in a tailored dark suit stepped out onto the polished floor. His silver hair was neatly combed, but his face was twisted in sudden, absolute rage. It was Arthur Vance, the wealthy billionaire owner of the entire bakery empire, who had built this business from nothing over fifty long years.
Arthur stood motionless for a second, taking in the scene of the frightened children and his arrogant employee holding the phone. His sharp blue eyes locked onto Marcus with such fury that the room fell instantly silent, every customer freezing in place as the powerful old man walked forward with long, deliberate strides.