While Ana worked through the options, Marissa reviewed the recording with Kelly in the staff room.

Later, she asked Nora whether she wanted to hear what it showed.

Nora said yes.

The beginning contained their consultation.

“One inch from the ends. Nothing else.”

Kelly’s response was audible.

“Fine.”

There was no ambiguity to argue over.

The recording also included something Nora had not heard at the time. When she briefly looked down to answer a message from her wedding photographer, Kelly faced the camera and mouthed a few words.

Marissa did not guess at the silent words.

She did not need to.

The next footage showed Kelly lifting the section, cutting far above the agreed length, and looking toward the phone before Nora reacted.

“What happens now?” Nora asked.

“Kelly is finished working today,” Marissa said. “I’m reviewing her conduct and her recordings. Your appointment will be refunded. Any reasonable corrective work we arrange will be covered.”

“And the video?”

“We won’t use it for marketing. I’ve asked that it be preserved while this complaint is resolved, and I’ll confirm the arrangements with you in writing.”

Nora appreciated that Marissa did not try to make the problem disappear with a discount.

Still, one question remained.

“Has she done this before?”

Marissa paused.

“There have been complaints about her manner. I accepted her explanations too quickly.”

Across the room, Tessa looked up.

“People said she pushed them into changes.”

Marissa nodded slowly.

“I should have looked more carefully.”

Nora watched her write that down.

She had expected excuses about stress, artistic judgment, or the difficulty of pleasing customers.

Instead, the owner was finally connecting complaints she had previously treated as separate incidents.

Kelly emerged from the staff room carrying her bag.

She stopped beside Nora.

“I hope all this attention was worth it.”

Nora looked at her.

“I came here hoping to leave with slightly shorter ends.”

Kelly’s cheeks reddened.

For once, there was no dismissive answer ready.

She walked out without saying goodbye.