Leo Gambino A Thousand Foes

004 Suspicious Customer

As Darlene and Mabel approached the counter, a nauseating cloud of the cheapest Chanel perfume joined them. Both women were dolled up in flashy designer clothes, swinging their handbags as if they owned the place.

Teddy hesitated. "Ah, Madam Slade… Unfortunately, the Reishi Royale has just been taken."

Darlene's Botox-tilted face got scrunched up, and her hand shot out, pointing her long fingernail like a talon.

"What nonsense! Are you blind? I see the mushroom right there. We'll take it, charging on Victor Langford's card. It's a special gift for the Chairman's gala."

Teddy shrugged towards Leonard guiltily. "I'd give it to you, but this man has already decided to purchase it. We have a first-come, first-served policy."

Darlene slouched on the counter, turning her vulture gaze towards Leonard. She froze, immediately recognizing the young man.

Her Botox-irrigated face twisted into a sneer. "You? Leonard the loser? What in the bloody hell—"

Mabel's jaw dropped. "Oh my God, it's my sister's pathetic ex! What are you doing here? Looking for a janitor's job?"

When Leonard did not respond, Darlene feigned concern, resting her hand over her chest dramatically. "I thought after my daughter dumped this trash from her life, he'd have crawled back into whatever hole he came from and died. But rodents are hard to kill."

Mabel giggled, hiding her mouth behind her hand. "Right? I mean, he was barely good enough to be Felicity's pet, living on her scraps. Now he thinks he can afford Reishi Royale?"

"What's next? Is he going to pretend he owns this store?"

Leonard ignored them and turned back to the clerk. "I'll pay for it now."

Darlene wasn't done with him. "Oh, sweetheart, don't embarrass yourself," she cooed, as if speaking to a slow-witted child.

"This isn't some street market where you can haggle for leftovers. That mushroom is worth a hundred times your life."

Mabel leaned against the counter, inspecting her nails. "Seriously, do you even know what Reishi Royale is for? It's not instant ramen. Maybe you should stick to, I don't know, eating cheap takeout?"

For a moment, Leonard was overcome by rage. However, his newfound energies and wisdom calmed him instantly. He felt peaceful like a sage in the presence of rowdy monkeys.

They are irrelevant. I can pay and leave.

He met the clerk's eyes and handed out the Black Eclipse Card his father had given him. "Charge it."

Silence. Then Darlene laughed—a sharp, piercing sound that could shatter fragile egos.

"Wait—wait—" she gasped between cackles. "Did he just pull out a shiny black card? Are we supposed to believe he can actually afford the Reishi Royale?"

Mabel wiped fake tears from her eyes. "Oh my God, is this one of those plastic novelty cards? Maybe he got it from a vending machine! It's so pathetic and sad!"

The clerk hesitated after taking Leonard's card, clearly conflicted now. Darlene crossed her arms, her voice dripping with mock sympathy.

"Look, Teddy, darling, that is clearly a fake card! We know this Leonard guy very well, a man surviving on expired ramen. There is no way someone like him could make such a huge payment!"

"You'd better call security and hand this scamster over," Mabel advised the clerk in a sincere tone.

The commotion attracted other patrons in the Aureum store. They crowded around the reception desk, whispering anxiously among themselves. Some of them pulled out their phones, eager to film a scammer getting caught red-handed.

Leonard finally turned towards the women, his eyes cold. "If you're done flapping your beaks, I have a purchase to complete."

Darlene snorted. "Look at his attitude! The stray puppy has grown fangs! Oh, honey, this isn't a charity. The clerk isn't going to risk his job processing a fake card."

She turned to the man behind the counter. "Teddy. Be a dear and hand the mushroom to someone who can actually afford it. We will be using the card of Victor Langford, my daughter's fiancé."

The clerk glanced between Leonard, Darlene, and Mabel. He had never seen Leonard in the store before, nor did the young man's clothing indicate he was rich. He was a suspicious customer.

On the other hand, Darlene and Mabel were the favorites of the wealthy Langford family. The choice was obvious.

"I'm sorry, sir, but the Reishi Royale is no longer available for purchase. I'll be selling it to Mrs. Slade."