The second floor of the salon erupted into chaos.
Claudia and Darleen crept a little closer, watching the scene unfold from behind a curtain.
Ann was pinned to the floor by several women, who slapped her until blood streamed from her nose and mouth. She was completely powerless to fight back.
She cried out, begging the onlookers for help.
But who would dare get involved in something like this? Besides, several of the clients recognized Mrs. Quinn and her daughter, Ramona.
Everyone just watched. No one stepped forward to help.
In a panic, Ann threatened, "You burst in here in broad daylight and assaulted me! This is a crime! I'm going to call the police and have you arrested!"
That was the wrong thing to say. Mrs. Quinn burst out laughing.
She tossed her purse aside, squatted down in front of Ann, and yanked her up by the hair. Grabbing a slipper from the floor, she began furiously slapping Ann across the face with it.
When Mrs. Quinn finally tired, she threw the slipper down.
Ann's face was a bloody mess, and she lay on the floor like a heap of refuse.
Mrs. Quinn took a tissue from the reception desk to wipe her hands.
She ordered the two women beside her, "Get some guys over here. I want everything valuable in this place moved out. Anything that can't be moved, smash it!"
The two women quickly made the calls.
Ann struggled to her feet.
She pointed at Mrs. Quinn. "What right do you have to take things from my salon and destroy it?"
Mrs. Quinn shot back, "The right of being Hamlin's legal wife! Every penny he spent on your mistress of an aunt is half mine!"
Ann was silenced, unable to say another word.
Soon, several men stormed into the salon.
Just as Ann reached for her phone to call the police, Ramona snatched it away.
Ramona was about to smash it when Darleen couldn't help but run out and stop her. "Wait, don't smash it! There might be something you want on there!"
Ramona's anger cooled instantly. "You're right."
Celia shot a nervous glance at Mrs. Quinn, then at Ramona.
"I'm sorry, who are you?" Celia said. "I'm just here for a spa treatment. I don't know you, alright?"
Celia added guiltily, "Your salon is a total wreck. It looks like you won't be able to operate anymore. You'd better refund the money I have on my membership card, or I'll report you for fraud!"
With that, Celia turned and fled.
Ann shrank back in disbelief, all her previous arrogance gone.
Claudia felt a wave of complex emotions.
In her past life, Ann and Celia had been partners in crime, using each other for their own gain.
She never thought that in this life, their alliance would crumble so quickly.
Soon, everything that could be carried out of the salon was gone, and everything that couldn't was smashed to pieces.
Just as a satisfied Mrs. Quinn was preparing to leave with her entourage, Hamlin Quinn, having gotten word from somewhere, rushed to the scene.
He stared at the ransacked salon and at Ann, whose face was beaten beyond recognition.

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